A detailed explanation of pen use in fireworks image making software

Source: http://www.solardreamstudios.com/tutorials/fw/mx_pen/

Pens may be the most powerful tool in fireworks.
In the following example, I will demonstrate some typical uses of the pen tool when drawing various graphics.

Example 1: Polygon

In this example, the Pen tool is selected and, in each area of the canvas, constantly clicked and loosened to form a vector polygon. As you can see, the closed shape is automatically synthesized when you return to the first point you draw and click.

Example 2: Curve

This time, click and drag the mouse to form the curve in different areas of the canvas. You can try dragging in different directions to observe the changes in the curve. This is a very interesting exercise and you may see yourself making a cool effect. Similarly, when you go back to the first point you draw and click, you get a closed shape.

Example 3 cleft

Now repeat for example 2, but this time we used the ALT key throughout the drawing process. Click and drag the mouse around the center of the canvas, and finally you will get a rip shape.

Conversely, if you click and drag the mouse around the center of the canvas, you can get a cloud/flower shape.

(I do not like to use the ALT key to control the handle when drawing, feel the special difficult to learn, and learn not too convenient, think about the simultaneous operation of both hands, do not meet the characteristics of my sleepy time, ^) ^. I have summed up a set of "theories" to deal with this kind of graphics, please look at the following comments about me. -Sleepy Cat note)

Example 4 FW Logo (PNG source file)

Now we can draw some well-known logos through example 1, example 2, example 3 pen use method, and then experience the strength of the pen. The left image is composed of 3 graphic combinations drawn with a pen.

I first obtained the FW logo image by grabbing the screen, then pasted it on the new canvas. Then select the Pen tool, click at all corners of the logo, drag, and sometimes use the ALT technique for the third example. When each closed path is completed, selecting Subselection tool adjusts each node more ideally. Press and hold ALT, as you adjust the pen tool and end up with every node that is clean.

This takes about 20 minutes to draw, and you can download the source file for analysis. Because this is a vector image, you can resize it arbitrarily without losing any picture file information.

Example 5:DW Logo (PNG source file)

The image on the left is drawn entirely with the pen tool.

Select the Pen tool and then draw two graphics (one is similar to "D" shape, one is similar to a hole shape), and then select these two graphs and perform modify>combine paths>punch holes in D-shaped objects. Of course, the same technique is used in example 4 to adjust.

The logo has been drawn for about 10 minutes and you can also download the source file for analysis.

Example 6: Cube logo (PNG source file)

This image is a bit difficult to draw. I applied a lot of the technical ideas of FW, including the most important pen tool, and then draw 10 separate graphs and combine them in sequence. This logo is all vector information and does not include any bitmap elements.

It took me about two or three hours to approximate the original result. Again, you can download and view the source files. You can view each node without losing any image information by adjusting the image size.

The first part of Example 1, example 2, example 3 is the basic use of pen, example 4, 5, example 6 is three difficulty from shallow to deep three instances. Fireworks official Chinese help pen part, I originally looked very boring, feel the above tutorial is very vivid. In Example 3, I also mentioned that I am not too accustomed to the author of the use of the ALT key to draw similar shapes, now say my method (very early writing, the picture is a bit topsy-turvy, the heroes laughed).

In the process of drawing the path, release the mouse on the canvas when looking for the next node, the pen is carrying a straight line, or a curve. It is sometimes more comfortable to walk with a straight line. Will take a straight line into a curve walk:
Point Node 1 does not drag node 1, after releasing the mouse, must be with a straight line of the pen to go,
Point node 2, in order to get the curve, you must drag node 2.
When you adjust the curve to find node 3, you will walk with a curved pen.
Then click on Node 2 again, and then go back with a straight line.
Then find node 3 again.

(The default FW MX setting does not open pen Draw preview, open method: Edit>preference>editing>pen Tool opation, before show pen previews tick)

As in the example above 3:

One of my simple source files:

Now apply the appendix above to copy the seagulls in the sign below (what kind of bird?) )：

Will copy this, later encountered what logo logo graphics, want to edit again and graphics Fill/stroke/effect, etc.
The class is much simpler.

Note whether the pen is moving in the end with a curve or a straight line: (This depends on your own feeling to go)

Last source file:

PS: The first copy of this logo is actually like this, in order to express the final effect of the image to copy
and show the process

Just use the pen friend, if can get the harvest, I can be very satisfied, should say grasps the above FW the pen to use very skillfully. should also pay attention to the late cooperation with the use of Subselection tools specific adjustments to correct each node. It is also important to adjust the ALT key later, so that he can only resize one of the handles without affecting another section-Bing point. The FW Chinese Help Pen tutorial is also very systematic, but it looks boring. It doesn't seem to have found the trick I'm talking about.