In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create some cool effects with fading light linear vectors in Fireworks. It's really easy to do and takes just a few minutes. Create fading lights using vectors, then convert these vectors into bitmaps, and learn to use effects from Fireworks CS3.
Final Image Preview
Before we get started, let's take a look at the image we'll be creating. The source file for this tutorial is not currently available, though we are planning on releasing this in the future.
Step 1
First of all get a nice photo. I've used this one from sxc.hu. You can get this image here.
Open this photo in Fireworks CS3. The create a vector shape with the Pen Tool (P), as shown in the image below.
Tip: Be open to create new forms and ways of creating this effect.
Step 2
Select this vector and change the color to Linear, as shown in the image below. Then change the opacity of one side to 0%. Then place it close to the other side with the full color.
Tip: Be open to experimenting and choosing the color you like for your design. The colors chosen for this design are used to help explain how to create this effect.
Step 3
Next control the direction of the transparent vector fade, as shown below.
Step 4
Now it's very simple, make this vector a bitmap by going to Modify > Flatten Selection. Copy this vector 3 times and do a free transformation with the Scale Tool (Q).
Tip: Feel free to scale and transform the vector as you want.
Step 5
Create a circle vector and do the same actions as in the previous step. Then change to Linear with the same color and configurations. Then go to Modify > Flatten Selection. Copy the result 3 or more times, and make a free transformation with the Scale Tool (Q).
Step 6
Now for the secret, you don't need to do one vector for each color you'll use. It's just to change the color with Hue/Saturation. Go to Filters > Adjust Color/Hue/Saturation. Then configuring the effect, as in the image below, or as you prefer.
Tip: Use different colors and discover different applications for this same effect. Use your creativity and imagination.
Step 7
Ok, you've changed the color of the circle. Let's do it with all the vectors now. It's the same, only change the color configurations of the Hue/Saturation effect. Look at the final image of this step. You'll have all the vectors with different colors, but don't forget to leave one of these shapes with the white color.
Step 8
Get each kind of form you've created, and make 3 or more copies. Then make free transformations with the Scale Tool (Q). Select all the parts and go to Commands > Creative > Twist and fade. Apply the configurations as in the image below, or as you prefer.
Tip: Don't worry if your results are different, as this is a random way to generate forms. It's hard to do the same twice.
Step 9
All right, select all the vectors you've created. Then make different combinations of different groups with various sizes and colors. Then select all the parts and go to Commands > Creative >Twist and fade.
Tip: Use your imagination, create another group of 3 vectors, select it, and do the effect Twist and Fade multiple times until you're satisfied with the results.
Step 10
Be creative and apply this effects with different colors, combinations, and forms. The secret is to make the forms and then change colors. Continue to create groups with 3 or more parts, and use the Twist and Fade Effect. You can also modify the color using Hue/Saturation.
After you created the dynamic parts of this design with the Twist and Fade effect, adjust the inside. Put some groups within others, use your imagination and invent.
Step 11
Let's add the details now. Create one white circle, as in the image below. Select the circle, and go to Filters > Blur > Gaussian Blur. Then configure as show in the image below or as you prefer.
Step 12
Select the result and go to Modify> Flatten Selection. Duplicate it and make a free transformation with the Scale Tool (Q).
Step 13
Select all the parts and go to Commands > Creative > Twist and fade
Tip: When you use the Twist and Fade effect get another group with 3 or more elements, and again use the same effect. Make sure to do it again with another small group. This way you'll have many parts. Also, you'll be able to put it in different places with various sizes.
Step 14
Now it's simple, get all the parts and make combinations over the image. Be creative and combine the shapes and colors dynamically.
Tip: Use your imagination, create another group of 3 vectors, select it, and do the effect Twist and Fade repeatedly until you're satisfied with the result.
Conclusion
Apply more colors and elements, use the opacity if you like. Change the colors with Hue/Saturation. Then apply the Twist and fade effect again.
Tip: This is a simple effect, but the secret is how you apply it. So use your creativity and be happy!
Final Image
The final image is below.
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User Comments
( ADD YOURS )Htoo Tay Zar June 19th
Awesome tuts!! I’ll bookmark this
alifaan June 19th
That’s my man, well done Dj Caio Call
BANAGO June 19th
Great post, thanks!
Ben Griffiths June 19th
Great tut, inventive too
R dog June 19th
NAICE
Drinkitblack June 19th
awasome effect, great lines, love this one
Nate June 19th
Nice lighting effect. Thanks
Callum Martin June 19th
A really useful fireworks tutorial ! Thanks!
Markus June 19th
Woow! And it is vector :S
Andrew June 19th
Awesome!
w00p June 19th
Thanks for covering Fireworks, I learned alot!
Steve Rose June 19th
Why did you convert the vectors to bitmaps before working with them? Couldn’t you have used the vectors instead, allowing you to modify them more later on, if necessary?
Shane June 19th
I don’t have access to Fireworks, but the end result looks really good!
Danny June 19th
Very interesting final result, I like it!
John June 19th
……….this one is almost as bad as the iphone one.. the end result is just a whole bunch of cut up (amateurish) shapes with gradients.. and far too many of them.
I was really hoping for some higher quality material from vector tuts
Ali June 19th
Nice, I look forward to more, I think most people would like to see the process of vectoring a photo :P, and if its well written I know most ppl will appreciate it :].
Joefrey Mahusay June 19th
Wow really nice work! Keep the good work guys!
Grafiko June 19th
Very cool
crazyhunk June 20th
Awesome effect…….
Brandon June 20th
Can I ask… Is the panel just letting any tutorial fly through the gates?
http://twitter.com/partridge/statuses/839308774
LongyZ June 20th
Great tutorial, but I would have loved to see this in Illustrator, not fireworks…
Blue Buffalo June 20th
Nice Fireworks effect! I like the fractals of light. Good job!
macias June 20th
first time i have doubts… i think i t’s better to do it with bitmap ( PSD ) from the beggining…
what 4 are vectors here ? besides effect is .. hmm poor
D. Carreira June 20th
Great! Thanks!
David Carreira
Chris Spooner June 20th
I can’t say I’ve spent much time in Fireworks, but it looks like a good bridge between Photoshop and Illustrator - covering a lot of middle ground in one application.
Fantastic tips and effect!
Caio Call June 20th
Helo, Steve Rose… You can convert the vectors to Bitmap or no, the final result will be the same! =D
Braden Keith June 20th
Didn’t see where it was going at first but in the end it looks pretty good… would of thought it would of been cooler if the bike was redrawn to vector with the rest.
Qvectors June 20th
that looks pretty cool!
Ralph June 20th
Yeahhh!!! Pretty cool thanks a lot man nice effect. Congratulations!!
mustafa ali June 23rd
Could have been better If it was done with Illustrator.
Arun June 24th
Looks spectacular!
IsaacS June 24th
Well, It doesn’t look very good in the end. A *much* better effect could be achieved in Ps, and the tutorial doesn’t seem to show any really cool vector techniques, and there seem to be no reasons for using vectors at all in this situation.
Isaac
Mansoor July 24th
Excellent Tut.
Vector Graphics August 26th
that`s a terrific tutorial. Thanks for sharing
Paulo Henrique August 28th
very goog this tutorial.
God bless you.
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