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Ellipse style with preset Copper color.
Same preset color as above, but set as a linear gradient.
Same settings, with texture added.
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If you have not used the gradient fill feature in Fireworks, you are
in for a treat. The fill works with all objects, text included, which
leaves you with full editing options at any time. This is one of the
nicest features in Fireworks.
Select the object you wish to fill with the pointer tool. Open the
Fill window, and specify the gradient you wish to use.
Gradient fills are are set up in two stages in Fireworks, which provides
a great deal of flexibility. In the Fill window, shown at the left,
the first selection is set to Ellipse, which determines the shape of
the gradient fill. The selection list immediately below provides preset
colors. I have included a second sample to show the same preset color
using a linear gradient instead of a radial gradient. The sample below
shows text filled with a linear gradient and preset Copper color .
You can also add texture to your object at the same time. Choose a
texture from the Texture list, and use the slider to set your texture
level.
This does not sound like much instruction, but for the preset gradient
fills, there is no more to say. The Fireworks vector base means all
objects behave in the same way, which makes it very easy to learn how
to apply effects.
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Custom colors
You can take the power of the preset gradient fills and multiply it
many times over by setting your own colors. You must start with a preset
color, but since there are many, from simple black to white, to complicated
wave patterns, you should have no trouble choosing a base for your custom
gradient.
To edit a gradient, choose Edit Gradient from the fly-out menu at the
top right of the Edit menu. The Edit Gradient window opens and you will
see a color bar with color markers representing where colors change.
Click on any color marker and the color palette pops up. Choose your
color.
To add another color, click your mouse where you would like a new marker
to appear. The marker is assigned the color in the gradient at that
spot. Click on the new marker to choose a different color.
To move a color marker, click and drag. To remove a marker, click and
drag it off the window.
The lowest sample at the left shows a color and position edit from
the sample immediately above. The tan color was changed to dark aqua
and moved to the right. The resulting gradient as applied to the text
sample we have been using is shown below.
Have some fun with this versatile gradient effect. Carry on to the
next page for saving your custom creations and applying transparency
to objects with a graduated fill.
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