Vector Masking using Adobe Fireworks.

Wow fireworks make's vector masking a child's play, first of all I have to tell you what is vector mask "vector mask is a gradient mask which used to hide a portion of image with some solid color, this solid color have two transparency points in first point the opacity is 100 % and in second point the opacity level is on O% percent, the revealed area of the image is under 0% opacity”. Vector mask are usually used to merge more than two images in a single image.
Now we start this tutorial.

Step 1:

Select an image


Step 2:

Place a rectangle block using Rectangle Tool (or press U) behind the image, which is equal to the desired banner width.

Step 3:

Toggle image and rectangle block position, by using layer palette or Ctrl + keys

Step 4:

• Use Marquee tool to select area of the image and crop it, we used ruler to make sure that we select required height.
• Under properties panel we have all properties of a Marquee, which we can adjust as per our requirement.

After Cropping we have this result.

Step 5

Go to command select creative option then select Auto Vector mask.

After selecting Auto vector mask a panel open with following mask options

Select your desired mask option and press Apply button.
OK below image I have done few steps together but below image help you to find out what all I have done.
These two handles visible on image (we also pointed one of them a circle) are used to control mask position and opacity level.
Under the properties panel we have all vector mask options.
Vector mask layer is also highlighted in Layer Palette.

Step 6:

After final adjustment of Vector mask, we put some text on Banner.
Good Luck, I hope that you will learn Vector mask with this simple Tutorial. Please give your feedback to help me to make things better.




At the end of this tutorial i am thank full to Makeup Forever for their image contribution and Dafont.com for their fonts.

How to Extract Audio (.mp3) From a Video

It's as easy as 1, 2, 3 because i JUST tried this software out. Now you can extract the audio from the videos of your favourite songs which you cannot find in .mp3 format anywhere else!

1. First of all go to www.dvdvideosoft.com. Under the free audio/video conversion softwares, click on download link infront of "Free Video to MP3 Converter 3.1.3.51".

2. Click on the download link. A window will appear. Click on "Run". Another window will appear telling you that the publisher could not be verified. Ignore it. Click on "Run" again.

3. Now comes the part of installing the software. And trust me installing a software is not as hard as you think. A 5-year old can do it. Its only a process that asks you to click on the following: "next-next-I Accept-next-install-finish". So on the window that appears next has a next button. Click on it.

4. Then comes the location of the file. If you want to change it click on 'browse' and choose the location where you want to put the folder for this software. Click on Next.

5. Click on "Install". It'll start installing. Click on finish and the software will be launched.

6. Click on the browse button beneath the Input Files. Select the video file you want to convert to mp3. Beneath the output folder, the location of the mp3 version will be given. If you want to change it click on browse and select another location. Under Presets there are different quality types in which the output will come out as. I prefer standard quality. Choose as you like and click on convert.

7. Voila!! Enjoy the audio version.

Cheers!! :)

How to Avoid Photo Red Eye

"Red eye" is caused by flash lighting reflecting off the back of the retina.

Red Eye can be avoided in Photos by :

1. Turn on the lights in the room so that your subjects' pupils will decrease in size.

2. Ask them to look to the side of your camera rather than straight at the camera when you snap the picture.

3. Divert babies or pets so that they look away from the camera.

How To Make Your Lipstick Last Longer

Applying lipsticks can definitely accentuate your lips. However, you need to choose the right shade and brand that will suit you. Now, if you already have the right lipstick, the next challenge is making it stay longer without constantly re-applying. You want to look fresh the whole day, but you might not always have the opportunity to reapply lipstick after each meal or snack.

As a solution, most manufacturers have come up with lipstick products that are made to last longer than the regular products. However, if your favorite lipstick is not specially formulated to last long, here are some tips to help you.

* Exfoliate your lips. Your lips also have dead skin cells, and it is important for you to remove these before applying lipstick. This will result in a smoother finish, and will definitely make your lipstick last longer. To exfoliate, gently swab your lips using a sponge or a soft brush.

* Use powder. One of the best ways to make your lipstick stay longer is by applying a thin layer of loose powder on your lips before applying the lipstick. The powder helps prevent smudging and will keep your lipstick in place. Dab a bit of loose powder on a cotton swab or sponge and apply to your lips, including the lip line. You may remove excess powder using facial tissue.

* Use a lip liner. Using a lip liner will help in precisely outlining your lips. This is also a good way to make your lipstick last longer. The lip liner is usually made of material that is drier than lipstick, to prevent it from smudging. It is important to choose the right lip liner for your lipstick and make sure that it will blend well. If possible, use the same lip liner brand as your lipstick. Or, choose a skin-colored or nude colored lip liner so you can use it with any of your lipstick colors.

* Use tissue to remove excess lipstick. To remove the excess lip stick, get a tissue and place it in between your lips. Then, apply a second layer of lipstick. This layering will result in longer lasting lipstick, so you don't have to reapply often.

* Choose a good brand. A lot of brands are available and you need to choose a brand that provides a good quality of gloss and longevity. Although a good brand would cost more, in the long run, you can actually save because these will last longer, and you won't have to constantly reapply, as with cheaper brands.

* Store your lipstick properly. Storing your lipstick properly will help maintain its quality. You need to make sure that the temperature where you store it is regulated. Keep it away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures and extreme humidity.

Wearing lipstick may not exactly be challenging. But reapplying every so often can be a hassle, especially if you're busy with work. Making your lipstick last longer may be a minor thing, but if it can help reduce your worries about how you look, then it's a good thing to try these simple tips.