Fireworks problem- Can someone help me out?

[mindras]

Hi! I'm new to fireworks and I need to finish a project with a killer deadline. Please help me out if you can.

I want to create (in fireworks CS3) two images fading into eachother using non-destructive gradients and put them under a clipping mask.

Here's how I do it in Photoshop CS3

1) I draw a rectangle



2) I import 2 images



3) I ALT+click on the border between the images and the rectangle to clip them under the rectangle shape



4) I put a layer mask on the upper image, then select that layer mask icon, and I use the gradient tool to fade it into the underlying picture



Now I'm having some trouble reproducing this in Fireworks CS3

1) Again I draw the rectangle



2) I import the images



3) I put them under a vector mask using the rectangle shape by copying the rectangle, and CTRL+ALT+V the mask on both images.



So far so good.

But now it seems I cannot apply a gradient to the layer mask on the top image. When I select it (you can see the green outline in the previous picture), then choose the gradient tool, and apply a gradient: The selection jumps to the underlying image (blue outline in following picture) and it applies a gradient to the bitmap of the second image! Not to the layer mask of the first image as was the intention.


So what am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance for any help,
it is much appreciated.

[James Jones]

Can't help you sorry not a fireworks user but can't you just import the image from PS into the fireworks doc and do it that way?

There must be some Fireworks users here to help!!

[ianm]

why do you need to do it in fireworks? why not ps?

[Lyrics]

Probably because FW is simply what he uses and knows. I'll see if i can at least find a few good FW resources for you mate.

[Hoyer]

Originally Posted by ianm

why do you need to do it in fireworks? why not ps?

I agree import the image after the effct is done in photoshop

[ianm]

Originally Posted by Lyrics

Probably because FW is simply what he uses and knows. I'll see if i can at least find a few good FW resources for you mate.

he has just demonstrated he can do it in photoshop lyrics :)

[mindras]

You guys I found it!

Apparently you need to draw a rectangle on top of everything. Put a gradient on that layer and mask it with the same shape used for masking the images. Then you select that gradient layer AND the top image and Modify=>Mask=> Group as mask.

Not the most elegant way of working I think. PS handles this stuff way better.

I needed to do so in FW because I need to work non-destructively so I can still change pictures later.

Thanks anyways!
Cheers

[ianm]

non-destructively?

[Lyrics]

Non-destructively, a layer mask instead of eraser being a common example.

Glad everything worked out for ya'll =)

[tomokeefe]

JohnDunning has some cool Extensions for Fireworks. You can visit Fireworks Extensions and download a command window to view ALL extensions. One in which is called "FADE IMAGE" You will notice that you could of solved this problem within seconds.


Best,
Tom