tutorial - flexible page

Page 2.

The next step is to cut out 2 separate graphics using slices. Make 2 slices, one across the top and the second down the left side.

Slice 1: Top=0, Left=0, Width=400, Height=110

Slice 2: Top=110, Left=0, Width=90, Height=340

The top image is finished, apart from the addition of some text to identify your site. The side image needs further treatment to fade it into the cell solid colour background.

Select the top slice, optimize it in the Optimize panel. I have used JPEG at 60. Right click on the slice and Export Selected Slice. Select the left slice and export as a PNG32 for further work.

Slice 1 goes into the top table left cell, and slice 2 into the 2nd table left cell, as you will see on a later page.

Open the PNG file of the left slice that you saved.

Draw a square over the top, exactly the same size. Fill with a linear gradient fill, black to white.

Looks like this:

Select the pointer tool and you will see a couple of handles on the graphic.

Drag the square handle around 90 degrees to rotate the gradient.

Move the pointer to the circle handle and drag up a bit, about 1/3 down from the top. We are going to use this gradient to mask the photo underneath and fade it to transparent. It will take some experimenting with the gradient to get it looking right.

Select both layers - you can do this several ways.
1. Drag an outline around the outside of the graphic with the pointer tool.
2. From the Edit Menu - Select All (Ctrl+A)
3. In the Layers Palette - Hold the Shift key down and click on each layer in the palette window.

With both layers selected, menu Modify - Mask - Group as Mask.

The photo revealed! Whoops, doesn't look that good, the fading effect. Time for some adjustment to the gradient. In the layer panel, click on the rectangle with the pen nib in it to select the mask. The handles should now be showing on the graphic.

In the Fill panel, click on Edit. We need to move the paint pots along to adjust the gradient position. You will see the effect on the graphic as you do it. Adjust the black and white paint pots until you cannot see the bottom edge of the photo and have a nice fade out.

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