Convert to Alpha

To select the convert to alpha effect, click on the drop down box by selecting the arrow next to "None." You will see a series of options:

Choose "other" -- then select "convert to alpha"

When you select convert to alpha, Fireworks converts color images to a gray-scale. For example, a color photo is converted to black and white.

Exercise

1. Copy the image of Kevin Garnett into fireworks. You can do this by (1) right-clicking the image and choosing "copy" and then (2) pasting the image into fireworks -- make sure you have opened a new document so that you have a workspace in which to paste the image.
2. Select the image.
3. Choose other > convert alpha as an effect.
4. Compare your image to sample 1 on the right -- does it look similar?

TIP: If you want to edit your effect, select your object (using the white arrow on the toolbar, if needed) and then click on the i in the blue dot on the effect menu