editing image in FireWorks?

Question

guys, i have two questions:
1, in Macromedia Fireworks (V.4) how can i edit image so that the edges will gradually fade away instead of solid edge lines?
2, how do i edit/create an image in a round or oval display instead of rectangula/square frame.

Answer 1

1. Create an alpha mask. Use the gradient tool, or whatever else you choose, to make a black and white shape on top of your image. Once you enable the mask, areas that are covered in black will be 100% transparent, and white areas will be 100% opaque. Anything in-between will be partially transparent (i.e. dark greys will be mostly transparent; light greys will be mostly opaque) - so if you use a gradient tool or some other transition from black to white, when masked it will make your image fade from opaque to transparent.

Select all of your image layers and group them together, and then select the group and your new mask layer, and then go to Modify > Mask > Group as Mask.

2. You can't have a non-rectangular frame. However, you can make the bounds of your image appear to be irregular by again, using a mask, and setting the background color to match the color against which the image will be set.