The quickest way to add an empty, transparent bitmap mask is through the Layers panel. The Layers panel adds a white mask to an object, which you can customize by drawing on it with the bitmap tools.

NOTE

For details on creating empty, opaque (or black) masks, see Masking objects using the Reveal and Hide commands.

To create a bitmap mask using the Layers panel:

  1. Select the object you want to mask.
  2. Click the Add Mask button at the bottom of the Layers panel.

    Fireworks applies an empty mask to the selected object. The Layers panel displays a mask thumbnail representing the empty mask.

  3. Optionally, if the masked object is a bitmap, use one of the marquee or lasso tools to create a pixel selection.
  4. Select a bitmap painting tool from the Tools panel, such as the Brush, Pencil, Paint Bucket, or Gradient tool.
  5. Set the desired tool options in the Property inspector.
  6. With the mask still selected, draw on the empty mask. In the areas where you draw, the underlying masked object is hidden.

    This is a picture of the feature being described.

    Image with mask applied

    This is a picture of the feature being described.

    The mask as it appears in the Layers panel

    NOTE

    For more information about modifying a bitmap mask's appearance by drawing on it, see Modifying a mask's appearance.