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.