If all the symbols are massive to the same extent it may be time to check the size of your map and make sure you have it correct to the scale of 1 foot = 1 map unit, or one metre = 1 map unit.

With a style like this one it is easier to make your own new symbols, such as dimensions, by drawing the first one and making a symbol of it. However, if they are all going to be different non-standard lengths you might want to draw them as lines in the map.

Julian is right. That is the way the software is normally gifted. As long as you don't register the code yourself first there's no problem. Just forward the email to the recipient.

A Bevel, Lighted sheet effect might be better than any of those, since a shadow will appear at the base rather than shade the sides. The effect will need some editing, but playing around with effects makes learning how they work a lot faster.

It sounds like the effect you need is the Edge Fade, Inner. Make sure your red polygons are on a sheet of their own and add this effect to that sheet. If you can't see any difference you might need to edit the effect to change the distances involved.

If you want ideas on how to map huge areas of forest you could try watching the last few Live Mapping sessions, where Ralf has very nearly completed his Mirkwood map. That's really dense forest as well.

The very general idea is to add the large are in patches and add little features such as thinly covered hills or larger than average trees here and there. Towards the end of the video Ralf uses Symbols in area as well as the standard forest drawing tools.