Drop shadows for acrylics

[scrappychic]

What settings do you use? I never used acrylics before and my shadows look crappy. :thumbdown:

[FlirtatiousBrat]

Play with the blend modes..I've found that color burn works best IMO for Acrylic

Dani's girls had a tut up a bit back..lemme find it for ya

[FlirtatiousBrat]

Here ya go
http://designbydani.com/girltalk/?p=1397

Also Traci has a good style in her acrylic-o-holic element pack

[scrappychic]

Thanks Meg, I don't see the sliders for distance, spread and size though. I'm using PSE 5, it just lets you change the opacity, not the other stuff.

[pewtertm]

Thanks Meg, I don't see the sliders for distance, spread and size though. I'm using PSE 5, it just lets you change the opacity, not the other stuff.

You can change those if you have used the apply shadow option from the Layer Styles option in the Special Effects palette. Once you've applied the shadow, double click on the icon that appears on that layer (looks like a sun), and you can adjust the levels.

If you don't like the way those look, you can try the longer way...
1. copy the layer
2. clip a black (or grey or brown or whatever tone you want your shadow to be) to the lower layer
3. apply Gaussian Blur to the lower layer (between 10 to 15 for a 12x12)
4. reduce opacity of lower layer to desired level
5. use the magic wand to select the UPPER image
6. highlight the lower level and delete the area of the you selected in #5

Hope that helps.

[junebug]

I use this method. http://spraguelab.squarespace.com/blog/2008/4/21/photoshop-friday-on-mondayd-dropshadows-on-acrylic-d.html

It seems a little complicated at first but now its like second nature!

[scrappychic]

Thanks ladies, I'll try these later after the kids' swim class.

[suzyqscraps]

I use this method. http://spraguelab.squarespace.com/blog/2008/4/21/photoshop-friday-on-mondayd-dropshadows-on-acrylic-d.html

It seems a little complicated at first but now its like second nature!

I also use this one--love how it looks!