For the second part of the illustration we will be using the image shown here, which is on the Xara 2 replacement CD. (Photos > People At Work). If you don't have the CD, the image is in the Zipped file. You can also CLICK HERE to download it from the web. (38K)

Create a rectangle the same size as the photo image (384 W x 256 H pixels)

Create two rectangles 384 pixels wide by 8 pixels tall. Apply a RGB 0, 0, 153 fill (dark blue). Center Align the rectangles top and bottom to the large rectangle as shown on the left half of the illustration.

Using the Blend Tool, drag from the top to the bottom rectangle. Change the number of Blend Steps to 16 as shown on the right.

NOTE: Your blended stripes will extend the entire width of the large rectangle. I have broken the illustration into two parts to illustrate the two steps.