To convert selected vector objects to a bitmap image, do one of the following:
•
Choose Modify > Flatten Selection.•
Choose Flatten Selection from the Layers panel Options menu.A vector-to-bitmap conversion is irreversible, except when Edit > Undo or undoing actions in the History panel is still an option. Bitmap images cannot be converted to vector objects.
Drawing, painting, and editing bitmap objects
The Bitmap section of the Tools panel contains tools for selecting, drawing, painting, and editing pixels in a bitmap image.
Drawing bitmap objects
You can use the Pencil tool to draw 1-pixel lines, either freehand lines or constrained, straight lines, much as you use a real pencil, with or without a ruler, to draw hard-edged lines. You can also zoom in on a bitmap and use the Pencil tool to edit individual pixels.
To draw an object with the Pencil tool:
1 Choose the Pencil tool.
2 Set tool options in the Property inspector:
Anti-aliased smooths the edges of the lines you draw.
Auto Erase uses the fill color when the Pencil tool is clicked over the stroke color.
Preserve Transparency restricts the Pencil tool to drawing only in existing pixels, not in transparent areas of a graphic.
3 Drag to draw. Shift-drag to constrain the path to a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line.
Painting bitmap objects
You can use the Brush tool to paint a brush stroke using the color in the Stroke Color box, or you can use the Paint Bucket tool to change the color of selected pixels to the color in the Fill Color box. With the Gradient tool, you can fill bitmap or vector objects with a combination of colors in adjustable patterns.
To paint an object with the Brush tool:
1 Choose the Brush tool.
2 Set the stroke attributes in the Property inspector.
3 Drag to paint.
For more information about setting Brush tool options, see “Working with strokes”
on page 106.
To change the color of pixels to the color in the Fill Color box:
1 Choose the Paint Bucket tool.
2 Choose a color in the Fill Color box.
3 Set the tolerance value in the Property inspector.
Note: The tolerance determines how similar in color pixels must be to be filled. A low tolerance value fills pixels with color values similar to the pixel you click. A high tolerance fills pixels with a broader range of color values.
4 Click the image.
All pixels within the tolerance range change to the fill color.
To apply a gradient fill to a pixel selection:
1 Make the selection.
2 Choose the Gradient tool.
3 Set the fill attributes in the Property inspector.
4 Click the pixel selection to apply the fill.
The Paint Bucket and Gradient tools can also fill selected vector objects. For more information about creating, applying, and editing gradient fills, see “Working with fills” on page 110.
Sampling a color to use as a stroke or fill color
With the Eyedropper tool, you can sample color from an image to designate a new stroke or fill color. You can sample the color of a single pixel, an average of color values within a 3-by-3-pixel area, or an average of color values within a 5-by-5-pixel area.
To sample a stroke or fill color:
1 If the correct attribute is not already active, do one of the following:
■ Click the stroke icon next to the Stroke Color box in the Tools panel to make it the active attribute.
■ Click the fill icon next to the Fill Color box in the Tools panel to make it the active attribute.
Note: Do not click the color box itself. If you do, the eyedropper pointer that appears is not the Eyedropper tool. For information on the color box eyedropper pointer, see “Sampling colors from a color pop-up window” on page 105.
2 Open a Fireworks document or any file that Fireworks can open. For more information, see Chapter 9, “Slices, Rollovers, and Hotspots,” on page 167.
3 Choose the Eyedropper tool from the Bitmap section of the Tools panel. Set the Color Averaging Sample setting in the Property inspector:
1-pixel creates a stroke or fill color from a single pixel.
3x3 pixels creates a stroke or fill color from the average of color values in a 3-by-3-pixel area.
5x5 pixels creates a stroke or fill color from the average of color values in a 5-by-5-pixel area.
4 Click the Eyedropper tool anywhere in the document.
The sampled color appears in all Stroke Color or Fill Color boxes throughout Fireworks.
Drawing, painting, and editing bitmap objects 33
Erasing bitmap objects
You can use the Eraser tool to remove pixels. By default, the Eraser tool pointer represents the size of the current eraser, but you can change the size and appearance of the pointer in the Preferences dialog box. For more information, see “Editing preferences” on page 282.
Eraser tool
To erase pixels in a selected bitmap object or pixel selection:
1 Choose the Eraser tool.
2 In the Property inspector, choose the round or square eraser shape.
3 Drag the Edge slider to set the softness of the eraser’s edge.
4 Drag the Size slider to set the size of the eraser.
5 Drag the Eraser Opacity slider to set the degree of opacity.
6 Drag the Eraser tool over the pixels you want to erase.
Feathering pixel selections
Feathering blurs the edges of a pixel selection and helps the selected area blend with the surrounding pixels. Feathering is useful when you copy a selection and paste it onto another background.
To feather the edges of a pixel selection as you make a pixel selection:
1 Choose a bitmap selection tool from the Tools panel.
2 Choose Feather from the Edge pop-up menu in the Property inspector.
3 Drag the slider to set the number of pixels you want to blur along the edge of the selection.
4 Make a selection.
To feather the edges of a pixel selection from the menu bar:
1 Choose Select > Feather.
2 Type a value in the Feather Selection dialog box to set the feather radius, and click OK.
The radius value determines the number of pixels that are feathered on each side of the selection border.