Step 3: Applying the mask
There are three ways we can apply the mask in this
example. Do one of the following:
Note: For this example we'll add the mask by clicking the
Add Mask icon. Reveal All and the Add Mask technique work
the same as they both add a white (transparent) mask to the
object meaning everything is being shown.
This next part relies on you to frequently switch between
tools as well as Stroke colors (black and white). I strongly
recommend you learn the shortcut keys for these tools as it
will allow you to work more efficiently.
- Lower the opacity of the layer containing the mask to
50% (or any value that lets you see both the bottom object
and the top object.) This will help you view the hand and
hammer beneath the mask.
- Click the B key two times to select the
Brush Tool (B). Clicking B one time will select the
Pencil Tool (B)
- Click the D key to set the
Stroke/Fill Colors to their Default settings:
Black for Stroke and White for Fill. You can preview
these settings by looking at the Stroke/Fill colors in the
Tools Panel. We're doing this now because we'll be
switching back and forth between the two stroke colors
when we're drawing on our mask.
- Be sure the mask is selected by clicking on the mask
thumbnail in the
Layers Panel. The thumbnail will have a yellow border
around it to indicate it's selected.
Step 4: Drawing on the
mask to hide and reveal the object below
We're going to draw over the mask to Hide the parts of
the wrench that would be covered by the hand. In Fireworks
MX black hides and white reveals. That is the masking
mantra. This means we'll draw in black over the masked
object to hide it. When we want parts of the masked object
to be revealed, we'll draw in white.
With the
Brush Tool (B) selected, set the
Edge to Soft Rounded with a low tip size. I prefer the
soft edge most times to better anti-alias the edges of the
image. There are times when a Hard Edge will work better so
just keep that in mind.
The tip size can be increased and decreased during the
process. Most often, I'll often start with the largest size
I can to get the easy areas and then switch to a much lower
setting to draw out the detailed areas.
Begin drawing over the area of the wrench that covers the
hand. Remember, you're drawing with the Stroke set to Black.
As you draw, you'll see the wrench is being "hidden" while
the hand is being revealed. Use the lowered opacity as a
guide for where to draw.
At some point you'll draw too far over the wrench and the
hammer object below will be revealed. This is just part of
the process. Click X on your keyboard to switch the Stroke
to white and draw over the area to once again reveal the
wrench.
You may want to Zoom in tight on the object to get the
more detailed areas. Click Z to switch to the
Zoom Tool (Z) and click over the area you want to zoom
into. Return to your
Brush Tool (B) by clicking B two times. At this point
you may need to lower your brush size to get the detailed
areas.
Continue drawing over the area while switching between
the black and white colors (using the X key to toggle back
and forth)
|
