- Fireworks in Command
- What Is a Command?
- Applying Creative Commands
- Applying Work Flow Commands
- Downloading Commands
- Extend the Reach of Commands
Applying Creative Commands
The first set of commands that you will look at are the Creative commands. The different commands are as follows:
- Add Arrowheads
- Add Picture Frame
- Convert to Grayscale
- Convert to Sepia Tone
- Fade Image
- Twist and Fade
Before you apply any of these commands, let's look at the image that will have the effects applied to it before it is converted (see Figure 3).
Figure 3 An image before commands have been applied.
Each of the effects is separately applied so that you can see its effect. Later, when you are experimenting, try applying two or more commands to the same image. You will get some great effects.
Add Arrowheads
The first command you will use is the Add Arrowheads command. It is one of the easiest to use.
Begin by drawing a straight line using the Line tool. This line will be used as a guide for the arrowhead.
With the line selected, go to Commands, Creative, Add Arrowheads (see Figure 4).
Figure 4 The Arrowheads command.
The Add Arrowheads Wizard opens. The wizard gives you options on how you want the arrow to appear on the page. First, you need to decide whether you want the arrowhead to point in both directions (that is, to have arrowheads on both ends of the line). If you do not, simply check the end where you do not want to have the arrowhead attached.
Next, you need to decide which style you want applied to the arrowhead. There are 17 different styles; that's enough for anyone's tastes. Choose a style.
Select OK. The line now has arrowheads applied to it.
Add Picture Frame
Any image needs to be in a frame. The Add Picture Frame command does just this. With a couple of clicks, any image is placed within a beveled frame.
To apply the command, select the area of the image that you want framed. For this article, I am applying the frame to the whole area of the image.
Next, go to Commands, Creative, Add Picture Frame (see Figure 5).
Figure 5 Applying the Picture Frame Wizard.
The Add Picture Frame Wizard opens. The wizard has a drop-down list of more than 20 different styles. You can also choose the width you would like the frame to be. Keep the width at 25 pixels in this exercise. Select the style Berber Rug. Choose OK. (See Figure 6.)
Figure 6 The Add Picture Frame Wizard.
The frame of the image immediately is treated with a frame effect. You will notice that the frame is in a new layer in the layers panel and that this new layer is locked. You can unlock the layer to move or delete the frame.
Converting
Both of the convert tools convert the existing image to either grayscale or sepia tones. Both of these effects can be applied to any color image.
In Figure 7 you can see the effects applied to the image of the child.
Figure 7 Applying sepia tones.
Fade Image
The Fade Image command allows you to place a fade in areas of the graphic. This is very similar to feathering an image; feathering is the ability to smudge the edges of the image.
Open the image. Select Commands, Creative, Fade Image.
The Fade Image Wizard pops up and gives you eight different formats that you can choose to apply. (See Figure 8.)
Figure 8 The Fade Image Wizard.
Apply a format and see the effects it has on image on the canvas. Figure 9 shows an example after selecting one of the formats.
Figure 9 Applying Twist and Fade.
Twist and Fade
The final effects wizard is the Twist and Fade command. Arguably, this is the most powerful of all the commands. With this command, you can quickly add a stunning visual effect of an image twisting and fading.
First select an image or area of the canvas that the command will be applied to.
Select Commands, Creative, Twist and Fade. The Twist and Fade Wizard opens. (See Figure 10.)
Figure 10 The Twist and Fade Wizard.
Each of the scroll bars can be tweaked to give the desired effect you want. For this article I am using the default settings.
The wizard gives you a preview of how the image will appear. You probably already noticed that the preview does not show the actual image that you want to convert. This is a shame; maybe it will be in the next release. Use this preview as a guide only.
Select OK to apply the effect. Voila[ag]! Instant cool effect.