Question about drop shadows in templates... Multiply blend mode

[StephanieLH]

I have noticed that when there is a shadow layer that it is always set to "multiply" blend mode. So if I do use the shadow, when I go to merge my shadow and element layer I get a strange effect. I then have to go back and assign "normal" blend mode to the shadow before merging layers.

I am just curious why templates have this strange blend mode. Does it have to do with the process of making the template or is there another reason?

[SirScrapalot]

Having shadows set at the "Multiply" blend mode is a technique that I believe many scrappers use. It allows the shadow to take on some of the color of the items/paper behind it, as well as cast the shadow on them. One of the two shadow styles that I use most frequently uses the multiply blend mode, and the other uses the linear burn blend mode.

[Darcy Baldwin]

Aaron's right. Sometimes, though, it just doesn't work, for whatever reason, and at least you can change them to fit the situation you need. Or turn them off altogether. I do have to change them from multiply to linear to other blend modes because the element or the way it casts the shadow is just a bit weird

[StephanieLH]

What i get is a lightening of the element. It seems to desaturate them.

I use PSP so maybe the effect you all are getting is different. I am slowly changing over to PSE9 so maybe this will be more of a plus in that software.

Thanks for explaining it to me. I can at least stop scratching my head about it.

[SirScrapalot]

Yah, I really have no idea how shadows work in PSP...hopefully that helps with the PSE though.

[Jengerbread88]

Originally Posted by StephanieLH

What i get is a lightening of the element. It seems to desaturate them.

I use PSP so maybe the effect you all are getting is different. I am slowly changing over to PSE9 so maybe this will be more of a plus in that software.

Thanks for explaining it to me. I can at least stop scratching my head about it.

I had the same issue in PSP, but when I switched to PS, the issue was gone. Seems like it's just a PSP issue, rather than something across-the-board. Sorry.

[Giseli Freitas]

I use PSP. Never have this issue. I use the 'multiply' blend mode ONLY when my shadow in over a darker background. For 'lighter' backgrounds, I use the 'luminance' blend mode b/c it gives me a better and not-too-strong shadow effect.
When I have a paper/element under that is white or almost white, then I switch to 'luminance legacy' blend mode. It gives me the same effect of 'luminance', only it's even more 'softer' and to me it works better in really REALLY light backgrounds.

***ETA***
Another tip I just remembered: this 'lightening' of the shadow with 'multiply' blend mode only happens when you merge the element with its shadow or group both layers over darker backgrounds. Just link your layers w/o merging / grouping and you'll avoid this issue. Your final, flat, image will be just fine.