Introduction

In this tutorial we will investigate 2 options of creating a shield. First, in one piece as a whole object, with the risk of being not symmetrical. Second option, we draw only half the shield and get the second half with a mirror command. A triangle will serve as the basic shape to design the shield.

As a design principle, it is preferable to opt for a larger than needed size because we can add more details to it and later the reduction will of better quality.

Requirement

This tutorial was written for Fireworks CS4 and higher

• Mirror
• Sunburst Auto Shape

Tutorial

The completed tutorial preview:

Figure 1: Completed Tutorial

Part 1

First option is to build a shield as a whole object.

1. Smart Polygon

Select the Smart Polygon Auto shape and drag it onto your work space with stroke width: 2px and color:#AEAEAE.



Figure 2: Basic shape

2. Auto Shape Properties

After selecting Window > Auto Shape Properties follow the setting below:



Figure 3: Auto Shape Properties Setting

3. Adding vector points

After we get the triangle we insert new points to the path and add control handles with the Pen Tool: a top middle point, left and right midpoints, see figure 4. To master the Pen Tool and bézier curves read: Pen Tool and Curves .

We can tweak the control handles either by hands or by using the arrow keys for more precision. Select Subselection tool , then click on the top middle point to select it. Now hold down Shift and press the Up Arrow Key a couple of times, and you'll see the point moving up. Next do the same with the left and right midpoints to make them move about. You can try the same without holding down Shift while hitting the Arrow Key.



Figure 4: Adding vector points

4. Final Result

After more tweaking you can get types 1 and 2.



Figure 5: Results