MACROMEDIA FIREWORKS MX 2004-USING FIREWORKS Use Manual page 150

Both vector and bitmap masks can be applied using their grayscale appearance. Bitmap masks are
applied using their grayscale appearance by default. When a mask is applied using its grayscale
appearance, the lightness of its pixels determines how much of the masked object is displayed.
Light pixels display the masked object. Darker pixels in the mask knock out the image and show
the background. Applying masks using their grayscale appearance creates interesting effects if the
mask object contains a pattern or gradient fill.
A vector mask with a pattern fill applied using its grayscale appearance
You can also convert vector masks into bitmap masks. Bitmap masks cannot be converted into
vector masks, however.
For more information about vector and bitmap masks, see
To apply a vector mask using its path outline:
•
Choose Path Outline in the Property inspector when a vector mask is selected.
To show a vector mask's fill and stroke:
•
Choose Show Fill and Stroke in the Property inspector when a vector mask that has been
applied using its path outline is selected.
To apply a bitmap mask using its alpha channel:
•
Choose Alpha Channel in the Property inspector when a bitmap mask is selected.
To apply a vector or bitmap mask using its grayscale appearance:
•
Choose Grayscale Appearance in the Property inspector when a mask is selected.
To convert a vector mask to a bitmap mask:
In the Layers panel, select the thumbnail of the mask object.
1
Choose Modify > Flatten Selection.
2
150 Chapter 7: Layers, Masking, and Blending
"About masks" on page 134.