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Adobe Fireworks CS4 Tutorials
Pages/Layers/Masks / Creating Vector Masks
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Subtitles of the Movie (Adobe Fireworks CS4 / Pages/Layers/Masks / Creating Vector Masks)
In the previous movie I introduced you to the concept of Image Masks. You also learned how to use bitmap graphics to create masks. In this movie I demonstrate how to use vector objects to create masks in Fireworks CS4. If you've used other vector illustration applications, such as Adobe Illustrator, you may be familiar with vector masks, which are sometimes called clipping paths or paste insides. The vector mask object crops or clips the underlying objects to the shape of this path creating a cookie-cutter type of effect. I demonstrated several examples of these types of masks earlier. For example, this one here. I also demonstrated how to use lettering to clip out images underneath the lettering and I'll demonstrate that in a short while. Let's go to our bitmap graphic and let's go ahead and in Layer 1 use my Vector Tool here, my Ellipse Tool and let's draw out an ellipse on the stage. Let's go ahead and add a gradient, a radial gradient to that ellipse and I can also modify that gradient by choosing the Radial Option, clicking on the Tool and then notice I can adjust this gradient like so. Let's go with that gradient right there. Same effect as last time. Let's go ahead and cut out this vector object, move to my layer that has the bitmap and choose Edit, Paste as Mask. This time I just get a simple cutout underneath the mask but I can also change the mask from path outline to grayscale appearance and I get that gradient representing those gray tones. You can see the mask right here. The darker the image the less of the image is coming through and the more lighter of that mask the more of the image is coming through. So I can move it back forth between path outline and grayscale. You can also notice Adjust This Vector Image, adjusting the grayscale image underneath it to affect the shape of that grayscale image, thereby affecting the appearance of the mask and the image that's poking through the mask. That's kind of a nice little trick that I couldn't do as easily with the bitmap image. Now, by default vector masks are applied using the path outline. When you do create a vector mask, a mask thumbnail with the Pin Icon appears in the Layers Panel to indicate you've created a vector mask right there. It's hard to see that pin but it's right there. When a vector mask is selected, as I demonstrated, the Property Inspector displays information about how the mask is applied so you have some options over how the mask will be applied here on the canvas using the Properties Inspector. That's another reason why I always leave my Properties Inspector open and encourage all my students to do likewise. So I demonstrated how to use bitmaps to create a mask and then how to use vector objects to create a mask. Let me now move on to this example and show you how to use text to create a mask; very simple. I just added a layer here with the words Utah in very big, blocky letters in Layer 1. Let's go ahead and again cut out this text, go to my bitmap layer here, labeled Photo and then again choose Edit, Paste as Mask and there I have the image poking through the letters. I have added a yellow background so I could see this better. A very good application of using a text object as a mask with a photo underneath so the photo pokes through the letters. Now, the quickest way to add a empty transparent bitmap mask is through the Layers Panel. You can also manipulate your masks via the Modify Mask Menu; Reveal All, Hide All, Paste as Mask, Group as Mask and so on. So let me move on to these two tools, the Layers Panel and the Modify Mask Menu Options to create and manipulate your masks in the next movie.
Tutorial Information
| Course: | Adobe Fireworks CS4 |
| Author: | James Gonzalez |
| SKU: | 33999 |
| ISBN: | 1-935320-47-5 |
| Release Date: | 2009-05-21 |
| Duration: | 8 hrs / 90 lessons |
| Work Files: |
Yes |
| Captions: | No |
| Compatibility: |
Vista/XP/2000, OS X, Linux QuickTime 7, Flash 8 |
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