Masking and Gradients in Fireworks

These technique are for fading an image in or out.  It’s mainly used for creating web site banners.

• Import an image or photo
• Create a white rectangle over the image.
• Select the white rectangle and in the properties panel set the fill property to Gradient/Linear.
• Alter gradient left to right, white on black. The white is where the image will be seen clearly and the black areas will be masked out.
• Select both objects then Modify/Mask/Group as Mask
• Use the pointer tool to drag the picture beneath (image selected in layers panel)
• Select the gradient rectangle in layer panel to adjust gradient and colour (colour=canvas colour)
• Multiple fades is achieved in fade fill box property.  Clicking adds extra thumbs ie Black,white,black

Vector Masks
These can be used for placing an image on a defined shape. And for fading in and out two pictures.

1. Put the required shape on to the canvas.  This can be any shape.
2. import and position the image or photo above it.
3. Select the top original rectangle and select Edit/Cut
4. Select the image in the layers panel and then Edit/Paste as Mask.
5. The image can be repositioned on the shape by selecting it then click and drag on the centre thumb.
6. To create photo’s fading in the process can be repeated. Place the two photo’s on the canvas. Select the top photo then Commands/Creative/Auto Vector Mask. Pick a preference and edit using the properties panel.

These notes can be printed.

A full screen HD video of this tutorial is available Here or click within the video box.