Adding drop shadows to objects

There are three types of drop shadows: glow, flat, and perspective. Glow drop shadows silhouette objects and are centered horizontally and vertically; they simulate a light source shining straight onto an object. Flat drop shadows simulate the effect of directional light, so shadows are offset. Perspective drop shadows create three-dimensional depth. You can add a drop shadow to any object, including text.

The object on the left has a flat drop shadow, while the object on the right has a perspective drop shadow.

You can create and adjust drop shadows in the image window. You can also change the color, position, direction, and transparency of a drop shadow directly in the image window.

You can also apply preset drop shadows. When you apply a preset, you can modify it to create a custom drop shadow. For example, you can change its direction and distance from an object, its color, and its opacity. By default, the edges of drop shadows feature squared feathering. You can choose another feathering type, such as a Gaussian blur which creates a realistic-looking drop shadow. You can also copy a custom drop shadow or save it as a preset.

When you change the shape or transparency of an object that has a drop shadow, the drop shadow automatically also changes.

You can remove a drop shadow at any time.

To add a flat or perspective drop shadow

1 .	In the toolbox, click the Drop shadow tool .

You can also
Change the color of the drop shadow	Drag a color swatch from the color palette to the end node on the drop shadow arrow.
Move the drop shadow	Drag the end node on the drop shadow arrow.
Flip a flat drop shadow from the center of the object or a perspective drop shadow to the edge of the object.	Drag the start node on the drop shadow arrow.
Change the direction of or offset the drop shadow	Drag the drop shadow arrow head.
Adjust the drop shadow’s opacity	Drag the triangular Transparency handle on the drop shadow arrow.
Adjust the edge feathering	Drag the triangular Feather handle on the drop shadow arrow. By default, squared feathering is used, but you can choose another type from the Feather edge picker on the property bar. For example, the Gaussian blur creates a realistic drop shadow.

To add a glow drop shadow

1 .	In the toolbox, click the Drop shadow tool .

You can also
Change the color of the drop shadow	Drag a color swatch from the color palette to the end node on the drop shadow arrow.
Adjust the drop shadow’s opacity	Drag the triangular Transparency handle on the drop shadow arrow.
Adjust the edge feathering	Drag the triangular Feather handle on the drop shadow arrow. By default, squared feathering is used, but you can choose another type from the Feather edge picker on the property bar. For example, the Gaussian blur creates a realistic drop shadow.

To add a preset or custom drop shadow

1 .	In the toolbox, click the Drop shadow tool .

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Shadow feathering — lets you specify the number of pixels on the edge of the shadow that are feathered to create a soft edge. By default, squared feathering is used, but you can choose another type from the Feather edge picker on the property bar. For example, if you want to create a realistic drop shadow, choose the Gaussian blur. You can also specify a direction for the feathered pixels from the Feathering direction picker .

You can also
Save a custom drop shadow as a preset	Click the Add preset button on the property bar, and type a name for the drop shadow in the Save preset as box.
Specify the offset and the feather width of the offset as a percentage of the size of the drop shadow	In the Save as preset dialog box, enable the Shadow relative check box.

After you choose a preset, you can modify many drop shadow attributes by adjusting the nodes and triangle handles on the drop shadow arrow.

To copy a drop shadow

2 .	In the toolbox, click the Drop shadow tool .

3 .	Click the Copy shadow properties button on the property bar.

To remove a drop shadow

1 .	In the toolbox, click the Drop shadow tool .

You can also remove a drop shadow by choosing None from the Preset list box on the property bar.

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