2007
Create Vista-like Wallpapers with Fireworks
I have noticed a considerable demand for a tutorial like this, so I’ve decided to give it a try. It’s not easy, and the result is not perfect, but its a good attempt nonetheless.
Note: The final image is the outcome of much trial and error. But you can pick up the techniques I describe, and analyze the source file for yourself when my explanations get too complicated, which they will.
1. First, create five layers (Using the folder button in the Layers window) like so:
Text (topmost), Canvas 2, Effects 2, Canvas 1, Effects1 (bottommost)
2. Lets color the canvas first. On Canvas 1, draw the following, from top to bottom:
Rectangle: Opacity 60%, Radial Gradient FFCC33, bottom left 70%, and the rest 0%
Rectangle: Vertical Gradient 3399CC, top 0%, bottom 100%
Rectangle: Overlay, Vertical Gradient, top 33CC33, bottom 3399CC
Large circle above: 77% Overlay, Radial Gradient FFFFFF, center 100%, edges 0%
3. As for Canvas 2, draw the following:
Rectangle: 40% Overlay, Radial Gradient (positioned above center) FFFFFF, center 100%, edges 0%
Rectangle: 20% Overlay, Radial Gradient 003300, center 0%, edges 100%
Rectangle: 100% Overlay, Radial Gradient 003300, center 0%, edges 100%
Now your canvas is nicely colored. Basically, its dark on the edges and its a mesh of blue and green.
4. The image has four different kinds of objects. Lets start with Element 1. Draw a light yellow trapezoid with a Vertical Gradient with 16% opacity and 1 Feather, left 100% and right 0%. This will make a fading line, put this in Effects 2.
5. Draw two more similar trapezoids, with variable sides and opacity and color. These two here are placed in Effects 1.
6. Now for Element 2. Draw a long circle segment with 40% Overlay and color it green. Make more of this with varied color, thickness, angle, and opacity. You have to be creative in this one. Place some in Effects 1 and the rest in Effects 2.
Basically you’re making the colors fluctuate from left to right.
7. Now for Element 3. Draw thin tilted light blue triangles with 86% Opacity. Make the Vertical Gradient fade (100% to 0%) angled in such a way that one edge is more faded than the other.
The tricky part is trying to angle the gradient just right.
8. Now for Element 4. Draw a long arc with 50% opacity and 2 Tip Size of 50% Edge, and use Radial Blur on it. I find this to be a lame replacement for those lines you see in the real wallpaper, but its better than nothing.
Make two more of these. Now you have appropriately placed set of four different types of shapes with the right effects. Its all up to your creativity.
9. Now type your text in white, with Inner Glow (Thickness 2, Opacity 12, Softness 1), and Glow (Thickness 0, Opacity 39, Softness 9).
There, this is the best I can do. At least it looks okay when you see it from far.
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December 21st, 2007 at 9:59 am
It may not be perfect, but it’s damn near close. Very impressive, considering how little effort is needed
December 21st, 2007 at 11:58 am
Why, thank you. Enjoy!
December 21st, 2007 at 10:44 pm
May I just say HOLY CRAP!!!!
I have been waiting for this forever.
Thanks so much.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:46 pm
You’re welcome mike. Glad you liked it!
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:49 am
Wow this looks great Justin, Congrats!
December 22nd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
May I say this is another excellent tutorial, and I’am very glad I stumbled upon your site. Keep up the good work FireTuts! <3
December 23rd, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Very useful! Thank you!
December 24th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Thank you, Lucian, Kjell, lonstile. Enjoy.
January 5th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Now that is lovely, I have to say. What a remarkable resemblance to the Vista background. Very well done, you!
January 8th, 2008 at 2:23 am
All i can say is, “Justin has heard our prayers”. This is super coooooooooooooooooooooool.
Thanks a lot, man. I remember it very well when i had requested you for this tutorial a few months, you had said that you were working on it. Its simply awesome that you’ve mastered the thing in such a short span of time.
Hats of to you.
Thanks again.
January 9th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
To Adam: Thank you, resemblance is my forte. Hahaha… Enjoy.
To Amrit: Thank you, I wouldn’t call it “mastering” but I manage. Put your hat back :P. Enjoy.
March 19th, 2008 at 9:04 am
[…] Create Vista-like Wallpapers with FireworksPopular wallpapers available for modern operating systems can be created just as professionally in Fireworks as Photoshop or Illustrator. Learn the Fireworks way in this tutorial. […]
March 20th, 2008 at 5:11 am
[…] Create Vista-like Wallpapers with Fireworks Popular wallpapers available for modern operating systems can be created just as professionally in Fireworks as Photoshop or Illustrator. Learn the Fireworks way in this tutorial. […]
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
[…] Criando o papel de parede do Vista Olha aí, quem diria que o bonito papel de parede do Vista pode ser feito no Fireworks […]
March 26th, 2008 at 11:10 am
this is very good, thank you!
March 28th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
very good tutorial. thanks
April 13th, 2008 at 12:48 am
I LOVE FIRE TUTS!!! YOU’RE BY FAR THE BEST IN TUTORIALS!
April 21st, 2008 at 10:51 am
[…] Create Vista-like Wallpapers with Fireworks Popular wallpapers available for modern operating systems can be created just as professionally in Fireworks as Photoshop or Illustrator. Learn the Fireworks way in this tutorial. […]
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:19 am
[…] Create Vista-like Wallpapers with Fireworks […]
April 26th, 2008 at 5:11 am
[…] Crea un Wallpaper estilo Windows Vista con Fireworks, visitar […]
May 15th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
thats really good one. Thx very much
July 14th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Hi there,
Great stuff … however - have anyone noticed that using a loads of objects with edge as feather make fireworks working … slowly. Like PC need a lot of resources to compute this …
August 11th, 2008 at 9:21 am
incredible tutorial.Its painless and timeless.
I was wondering if you have ever done vectorization,like in the movie a scanner darkly,before?.
i would love if you give us tutorial on that.thanks.