Drop Shadows

[nesser1981]

Lets talk about drop shadow settings.

I'm semi happy with my shadows. I know there is a thread floating around somewhere with lots of info in it, but why not start a new one.

So, what are your settings,

I usually do Distance at 20, Spread 0 and Size 25. Usually at 75 percent for dark papers and 43 for light. I have my angle at 171.

I'd just like to see whatever else does and try to compare. Do you have a set color you use for the shadow

[sprauncey1]

I don't have my settings right now, but I also had another question to add on...

Do your shadows look good printed? (Especially 12x12 size?)

I've done shadows for my LOs before and optimize them for web viewing and then when I go to print them out they look soooooooooo too much. I'm not sure if it is the size or the way I print out the jpegs. But I always feel like my shadows online are a little light, but then when I print them they look realistic. Whereas if I make them look good here, then they look too obvious printed.

[Paula]

I have the opacity set to 75%. Then I change distance and size depending on what it is. I've been experimenting with changing the color as well and I am happy with what has turned out AND they print nicely too.

[ajf9597]

I don't think I am good at shadows, so I use actions.

[sczos911]

My shadows are all different (size, distance & opacity) but I try to keep the angle at -35 to -55 degrees. I sometimes do an innershadow, too, on diferent items.

[Paula]

Oh yea, I have my angle set at -45 and I never change that because I want it to look like the light is coming from the same place.

[lizzyfizzy]

i use angle's 45 or -37. my distance, size, opacity and all that change according to the item i am shadowing.

[jessica31876]

All of the settngs on here really dont help me because I use PSP XI. I would really love a few of the people who use PSP and are good at shadowing to post their settings!!

[jessica31876]

Oh but I do have to say I usually have my opacity set between 50 and 75 and I use a blur between 25 and 75 depending on the object I am shadowing. I dont usually use an angle on mine and that kinda allows me to warp the shadow a little bit. But I am defenitely not very good at shadowing. It is my least favorite part of a layout!!

[suze]

I don't think I am good at shadows, so I use actions.

same here.. tho sometimes I adjust the action a bit.

[KristinCB]

I made changed after reading a post by dani here about a year ago:

http://www.designbydani.com/blog/?p=1185

The biggest difference for me was changing the blend mode to linear burn and the angle. Makes a big difference!

(I still am still really learning with shadows too)

[nesser1981]

I don't have my settings right now, but I also had another question to add on...

Do your shadows look good printed? (Especially 12x12 size?)

I've done shadows for my LOs before and optimize them for web viewing and then when I go to print them out they look soooooooooo too much. I'm not sure if it is the size or the way I print out the jpegs. But I always feel like my shadows online are a little light, but then when I print them they look realistic. Whereas if I make them look good here, then they look too obvious printed.

I think mine look fine printed.

[nesser1981]

I made changed after reading a post by dani here about a year ago:

http://www.designbydani.com/blog/?p=1185

The biggest difference for me was changing the blend mode to linear burn and the angle. Makes a big difference!

(I still am still really learning with shadows too)

Thanks Kristin, I'm going to try that.

[Becca Bonneville]

I don't use the PS styles for my shadows. I create a shadow on a separate layer. I then apply the gaussian blur (6-12 depending on the size of the item) and then I use the warp tool to make it lift, etc where I want. I use the Linear burn for the blending and then I adjust the opacity.

[nesser1981]

I don't use the PS styles for my shadows. I create a shadow on a separate layer. I then apply the gaussian blur (6-12 depending on the size of the item) and then I use the warp tool to make it lift, etc where I want. I use the Linear burn for the blending and then I adjust the opacity.

I tried that seperate layer thing, I like it, but it takes too long. LOL!

[kscwgirl]

I discovered some new layer styles recently and I am totally in love with them. I would marry them if I could. :D

[ColleenSwerb]

I don't use the PS styles for my shadows. I create a shadow on a separate layer. I then apply the gaussian blur (6-12 depending on the size of the item) and then I use the warp tool to make it lift, etc where I want. I use the Linear burn for the blending and then I adjust the opacity.

Same here. Every shadow for every item is different. The color also changes based on what is underneath the item. I use color burn/linear burn/multiply/darken for my blend modes depending. Linear burn never works right for me with stripes with light colors, and with light colors. My angle is different for each layout, but stays in the same general area (top right or top left of the LO, as if there were a lamp there shining down on it), and is consistent within a LO.

My shadows take forever, but I heart them. I think my shadows rock and that's all that matters to me :p

[kscwgirl]

Your shadows do rock. :)

I just don't have that kind of patience. :D

[Becca Bonneville]

Same here. Every shadow for every item is different. The color also changes based on what is underneath the item. I use color burn/linear burn/multiply/darken for my blend modes depending. Linear burn never works right for me with stripes with light colors, and with light colors. My angle is different for each layout, but stays in the same general area (top right or top left of the LO, as if there were a lamp there shining down on it), and is consistent within a LO.

My shadows take forever, but I heart them. I think my shadows rock and that's all that matters to me :p


YES! It takes forever but I love playing with all the blend modes etc. Every setting is different depending on the item, etc. Linear works really well on the darker colors etc. It really makes them pop more. And honestly it is all about personal taste.

[4noisyboys]

How do you put your drop shadows on a different layer? I've tried to do this and I can't figure it out!

[SeattleSheri]

How do you put your drop shadows on a different layer? I've tried to do this and I can't figure it out!
If you're working in PS, you can right click on the shadow style on the layer within your layer's palette and detach the layer style. (I don't have my program in front of me, I'd describe it in more detail). There are several other ways to do it that are a little more laborious.

I don't have any standardized way I do shadows. I've made myself 15-20 shadow styles I regularly use and I modify them depending on the look I'm trying to achieve, the color the item is sitting on, etc ... I also detach the shadows and use the warp tool if I'm trying to create more of a 3D effect.

[NettieB]

As a PSE user, I'd love to warp shadows! have yet to figure out how to do it. :blink: Know it's verry simple for you PS users, but has anyone figured it out in PSE?

Great tutorial here (http://www.afterfivedesigns.com/blog/2009/04/saturdays-tips-tricks-418/) on shadowing - separate layers, acrylics, in PSE! - if you haven't gone the easy route and bought Traci Reed's awesome layer style in her first Acrylic-O-Holic (https://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/sweetshoppe/product.php?productid=16463&cat=0&page=1)...

Shadowing is always a work-in-progress - currently I'm stuck on angle 45, (following Kristen Rice and Dani Mogstad), a combination of separate layers and layer styles, somewhere around 60% in intensity, a nice darkish brown color (on everything), and waay more distance than I ever have before, and I like the result.

[ColleenSwerb]

YES! It takes forever but I love playing with all the blend modes etc. Every setting is different depending on the item, etc. Linear works really well on the darker colors etc. It really makes them pop more. And honestly it is all about personal taste.

I use CS2. I create a new layer, get marching ants around the object, and fill it with the paint bucket. Then blur, change the blend mode, etc.

I know with some versions you can select the layer style and copy it to a new, separate layer. But other than that, I'm useless.

[4noisyboys]

Thanks everyone! I'm using CS4, so I'm going to try some of these later!