About Philip Pereira Expertise Macromedia Fireworks 3 & 4, Macromedia Dreamweaver 3 & 4 and integration of the two, as well as most of the techniques and methods used by both.
Experience I have used both packages to produce different websites, including the use of Freehand & Flash.
Expert: Philip Pereira Date: 2/21/2001 Subject: Soft edges on images
Question I have a rectangular jpeg image in the entry page of my website (see it at www.alphasync.net).
How can I modify it using Fireworks 3 or 4 so that the image has a soft edge instead of the hard rectangular edge it has now. Please be specific on each step I need to take (I'm a beginner with Fireworks).
Thanks in advance
Dave G.
Answer Hi Dave,
Thanks for the question!
OK! Soften an edge we will! I used Fireworks 4 to do the following with a jpeg file.
(1) Open up the jpeg file directly into Fireworks "File/Open" from the menu bar
(2) We first need to increase the size of the canvas and NOT the image itself. Select "Modify/Canvas Size..." from the menu bar
(3) In the new window, increase the canvas width and height by about 15 - 20 pixels (depending on the overall size of the image and how much softening you want) and click "OK"
(4) Your canvas should now have expanded. Since in JPEG files you cannot have a transparent file we need to select a colour. Select "Modify/Canvas Color" from the menu bar. Select a suitable colour and press "OK" - Looking at your image on your website you should try for a black background to give the effect of fading into the background.
(5) With the "Marquee tool" draw a box whose edges are approximately 10 - 15 pixels INSIDE of the original JPEG picture edges.
(6) Select "Modify/Marquee/Feather..." from the menu bar. In the new box that appears insert a "Radius" of between 3-6 pixels. Press ok.
(7) Select "Modify/Marquee/Select Inverse"
(8) Select "Xtras/Blur/Gaussian Blur"
(9) In the box that opens - ensure the "preview" box is ticked. Now move the slider and watch the effect on your JPEG - Instant softening. Click OK when you're satisfied.
Double click outside of the image to remove the marquee borders.
There's a bit of trial and error involved with the "Marquee" box - but the more often you use this technique, the easier it'll get!
