Transforming and Distorting Objects > Adding special effects to objects > Adding a drop shadow to an object |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Adding a drop shadow to an object
A drop shadow is a copy of an object placed behind the original to give the illusion of a light source. You can customize a shadow's appearance by changing the Shadow tool options and by moving the shadow. The original object and its shadow form a group.
You can add one of three drop-shadow types to an object: Hard Edge, Soft Edge, and Zoom.
Hard Edge (left), Soft Edge (center), and Zoom (right)
You can also use the Smudge tool to create a shadow effect (for more information, see Smudging an object).
The Shadow tool does not apply shadows to bitmap or EPS images, text, or clipping paths.
To set drop shadow options:
1 |
Double-click the Shadow tool in the Xtra Tools toolbar.
|
2 |
In the Shadow dialog box, choose a shadow type: Hard Edge, Soft Edge, or Zoom: |
3 |
For Hard Edge and Soft Edge shadows, choose a Fill option: |
![]() |
Tint defines the shadow color as a tint of the original object's color, from 0 (white) to 100%. |
![]() |
Shade defines the shadow color as a percentage of black added to the original object's color. |
![]() |
Color sets the shadow color by dragging a color swatch onto the color well. |
4 |
For a Soft Edge shadow, drag a color to the Fade To color well to set the shadow's background color (white by default). Set a Soft Edge degree to soften the shadow's edges with the Fade To color, from 0 for a hard edge to 100 for soft throughout. |
5 |
For a Zoom shadow, set a stroke color and fill color. |
For the Soft Edge and Zoom effects, the Shadow tool creates incremental colors. Applying soft-edged or zoomed shadows to objects with spot, Hexachrome, or RGB colors yields incremental CMYK process colors. |
|
6 |
For Scale, specify the shadow's size as a percentage of the original. |
7 |
For Offset, enter x and y values to offset the shadow relative the object. |
8 |
Click Apply to preview the result without closing the Shadow panel, or click OK to apply the shadow and close the panel. |
![]() |
To add a drop shadow to one or more selected objects:
1 |
Choose Window > Toolbars > Xtra Tools to display the Xtra Tools toolbar and click the Shadow button. |
2 |
Click to place the shadow and drag to move it. Each time you click, the shadow reappears directly under the selected object. |
![]() |
To add a drop shadow to selected text:
Choose Text > Convert to Paths before applying the drop shadow.
Note: Text that is converted to paths cannot be edited as text (for more information, see Converting text to paths).
To add a drop shadow to a clipping path:
Apply the shadow to an object before using it as a clipping path.
![]() ![]() ![]() |