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Creating a vector patch

We'll need to create a tiny gradient filled rectangle to patch the door opening, then convert the vector rectangle to a bitmap and fuse it to the image. Let's make it easy to see what we are doing by enlarging the image.

  • Click on the Zoom tool (the magnifying tool icon in the Tools panel)
  • Click 3 or 4 times with the Zoom tool on the small dark square at the bottom of the dome image.

area to patch

This close in we can see that the dark spot is the top of a door trimmed with molding. This will be a snap to patch. Click on the vector Rectangle tool to select it.

  • Draw a rectangle over the door opening and set its fill type to Linear in the Property inspector.
  • Click inside the color box in the Property inspector (or in the color box in the Tools panel) to open the gradient editorin the gradient editor
  • Click on the left color chip in the gradient editor to open the swatches pop-up
  • Use the swatches pop-up color picker to select a pixel in the bitmap just left of the vector rectangle
  • Click on the right color chip in the gradient editor to open the swatches pop-up.
  • Use the color picker to select a pixel in the bitmap just right of the vector rectangle
  • Click on the pointer tool to bring up the gradient adjustment bar
    • the gradient patch
  • Move and rotate the gradient to get the best match for the bitmap

Don't worry if it's not a perfect match. We'll fix that in the next steps.

  • Shift + select both the dome bitmap and the gradient rectangle

Note that Shift + select is Fireworks shorthand for Press the shift key and click on the image objects as instructed. You can Shift + select the image objects on the canvas or in the Layers panel.

  • Choose Modify > Flatten Selection
  • Click and hold on the on the Blur tool to find the Smudge tool
  • Select the smudge tool and use it to smudge the pixels of the surrounding bitmap into the gradient patch

Small wiggly or rocking strokes work best. When you've done what you can with the Smudge tool, select the Blur tool and go over the area to blend in any wayward smudges. When you are satisfied with your result, reduce the image view to 100% and take a look at the Dome windows. We'll be removing those so the background layer can show through. First, save your work!

  • Choose File > Save as

save dialog

  • Browse to the Dreamcatcher folder on your hard drive
  • Enter the word Dreamcatcher in the File name box
  • Click on Save

Next: Window demolition