The Drop Shadow Effect is very simple and easy to use. It creates a shadow around an shape (selection) that gives the shape the appearance it is raised with a shadow behind it.

Similar to the Cutout Effect, Light Source is basic and one is able to set 8 positions using the Offset Values. One varies the sharpness/softness of the shadow with the opacity and blur attributes.

Tonight we will look at how the Drop Shadow works, then create a backdrop shadow for a selection and finish up with a neat image using the 3D Effects we have explored to date.

Basic Setup:

Comment: Many 3D effects require a layer. Thus, we promote the background to a layer.

Use: Selection Tool
– Type = Rectangle
– Feather = 0
– Antialias = Unchecked

Draw a Rectangle that is taller than wide in the center of the canvas.

Use: Effects || 3D Effects || Drop Shadow
Move the window away from the canvas to see both the Canvas and the Drop Shadow window.

Comments on Options:
(1) Drop Shadow uses Offsets and Attributes (similar to the Cutout Effect).

(2)Offsets place the Shadow dependent upon the value of the offset.

(3)Attributes soften/darken the shadow dependent upon the Opacity and Blur values.

(4)The Color Attribute normally will be 'Black' though one may use any color wanted. Often, the shadow color is dependent upon the image and its color. A darker shadow color is usual though there will be times a light color is preferred.

Explorations:

A. Exploring the Options:

Comment: The basic settings will not create a shadow around the selection. We will use this beginning to now explore the options.

#2: Exploring Offsets
– Vary the Offset values starting with low values
– End up with both Offsets = 8

Comment:
(1) As you see, the larger the Offset values, the larger the shadow, which in this case is a very sharply defined shadow.

(2) With no blur, the shadow effect is only on two sides and is dependent on whether the value is a plus or minus value.

#3: Exploring Blur
– Vary the blur value
– End with Blur = 20

Comment:
(1) The higher the blur value the more softening of the shadow effect.

(2) The higher the blur value, the more shadowing occurs on the other two sides of the selection.

#4: Exploring Opacity
– Lower the opacity value from 100.
– Also, with lower opacity values, increase the Blur value.

Comment:
(1) The lower opacity values soften the shadowing effect.

(2) With low opacity, increasing the Blur gives a little more definition to the shadow effect.

#4: Exploring Opacity
– Lower the opacity value from 100.
– Also, with lower opacity values, increase the Blur value.

Comment:
(1) The lower opacity values soften the shadowing effect.

(2) With low opacity, increasing the Blur gives a little more definition to the shadow effect.

#5: No Offset and full Blur and Opacity
– Set: Offsets = 0
– Set: Opacity and Blur = 100

Comment:
(1) The Shadow Effect surrounds the Selection.

(2) Lowering either or both Opacity and/or Blur create a softer background shadow.

(3) This set of values often can be used to highlight a selection in a very subtle way. Keep in mind also that using different colors for the background will give selections a nice definition particularly if the color compliments the selection.

#6: Combining Shadow Effects
– First, set the Shadow Effect using the above values.
– Then, create a New Layer.
– Finally, set a new drop shadow with low values for Offsets and Blur. (Offsets = 4, Blur = 12)

Comment:
(1) Combining the full Blur/Opacity Shadow with a drop shadow creates a very nice effect.
(2) Experimenting with different approaches this way will often end up with some unique images.

B. Using Drop Shadow and Cutout Effects

To create a cutout effect with 'Cutout' one uses two separate layers: one for the dark shadow and one for the light shadow.

However, combining the Drop Shadow effect with the Cutout Effect one is able to use a single layer for the cutout.

Cutout Effect with Drop Shadow
– Draw a rectangle selection in middle of canvas, taller than wide.
– Create a New Top Layer
– Use: Effects || 3D Effects || Cutout
  –– Offsets = 4
  –– Opacity = 100
  –– Blur = 8
  –– Color = Black
  –– Click on OK
  –– Do Not Deselect.

– Use: Effects || 3D Effects || Drop Shadow
  –– Offsets = 2
  –– Opacity = 100
  –– Blur = 4
  –– Color = White
  –– Click on OK
  –– Deselect [Control+D]

C. Using All 3D Effects From Previous Lessons

Use Selection Tool
– Draw a Rectangle in Center of Canvas
– Save the selection to an Alpha Channel [Selections || Save to Alpha]
– Use: Selections || modify || Expand by value of 10

New Top Layer
– Create a New Layer
– Flood Fill the selection with White
– Use: Selections || Modify || Contract with value of 10
– Use: the Delete key to get rid of the center of white rectangle

Create a Tube Frame -- Cutout
– Use: Magic Wand on the White Frame
– Use: Delete Key to get rid of the White color
– Use: Effects || 3D Effect || Cutout
  –– Offsets = 0
  –– Opacity = 100
  –– Blur = 8
  –– Shadow Color = black
  –– Click on Ok

Frame Mat -- Chisel
– Use: Magic Wand
– Click inside the Tube Frame
– Use: Selections || Modify || Contract value of 10

– Create a new layer
– Set: Background Color = White
– Use: Selections || Modify || Contract value of 10
– Use: Effects || 3D Effects || Chisel
  –– Size = 10
  –– Background Color = Checked
  –– Deselect [Control+D]

– Use: Colors || Negative Image
– Set: Select the 'Luminance' Mode in the Layer Palette
– Set: Opacity Switch = 50

We have just created the inside mat illustrated during the chisel lesson.

Background Texture -- Noise
– Click on or Highlight the Tube Frame layer
– Use: Magic Wand and click Outside the Tube image
– Highlight the Bottom Layer
– Use: Effects || Noise
  –– Add Noise at value of 20
  –– Use either Random or Uniform

Drop Shadow
– Use: Selections || Invert
– Create a New top layer
– Use: Effects || 3D Effects || Drop Shadow
  –– Offsets = 0
  –– Color = Dark Blue (0,0,128)
  –– Opacity = 100
  –– Blur = 100
  –– Click on OK

– Create a New top layer
– Use: Drop Shadow again
  –– Offsets = about 4
  –– Blur = about 8
  –– Color = black
  –– Deselect [Control+D]

Buttonize
– Highlight the Bottom layer
– Create a New Layer above the Background Layer
– Make sure your Background Color = White
– Use: Effects || 3D Effects || Buttonize
  –– Height and Width = 20
  –– Transparent Edge = Checked
  –– Opacity = 100
  –– Set Mode = Luminance

You now have a nice buttonized image with a frame inside using just these 3D effects

You might add a picture to the inside of the frame or text or just another image. With these basic 3D effects, there are many opportunities of creating some neat and unique images, frames and buttons.

Next week we will explore Perspective Shadows

Enjoy -- Prof --