Ignore drop shadow on a single layer?

Is there a way in Illustrator CS4 to have the drop shadow of an object NOT appear on a particul sub-layer?
The shadow needs to appear on some sub-layers, but not the "background" layer (which is supposed to appear further away, and therefore would not have the drop shadow).
In case it's not clear what I'm trying to accomplish, here is something I found to do it in Photoshop:
http://www.planetphotoshop.com/editing-a-drop-shadow.html
Any direction is appreciated; I have been trying and researching this for quite some time now.

Thanks Wade, that was as close as I had gotten (using compund paths), but perhaps I was using masking wrong? My outlines would not include the stroke of my artwork, so the masks were cutting into the art.
Masks have always been my weakness in Illustrator and Photoshop.

Similar Messages

Modify drop shadow layer style

In PS5 is it possible to modfy a drop shadow layer style changing it's color and opacity without changing the entire layer?

bainbru1 wrote:
Noel - the issue I encountered was that when I double clicked on the active layer and was presented with the default layer style dialog that did not show the color picker option and then selected drop shadow, I did not see the color picker to the right of the blending options.
As others have pointed out, unless there is some information missing in your problem description, you are observing normal and expected behavior. To clarify with screenshots what Noel and others have said above:
When you invoke layer style dialog box by double clicking on the active layer, by default it shows the controls for Blending Options. See the words Blending Options highlighted in blue on the left and the headline Blending Options in the main pane of the dialog box!
Merely checking the box for drop shadow does NOT make the drop shadow controls appear. Blending Options is still selected (highlighted in blue) and the controls in the main pane still have the headline Blending Options!!
To display the controls for Drop Shadow you need to click on the words Drop Shadow. Then the layer style Drop Shadow has the focus and the Drop Shadow controls are displayed. You can see this because the words Drop Shadow are now highlighted in blue and the headline over the controls in the main pane says Drop Shadow:
When you select the FX button at the bottom of the Layers Panel, you select the Layer Style you want at the same time, so the Layer Style you chose already has the focus when the dialog box appears, and the relevent controls are automatically displayed.

Drop Shadow Question

I find in Dreamweaver's Manuel the instructions on how to put
a drop shadow
around words and text. Can Dreamweaver put a drop shadow
around a CSS layer
or box? Or does that effect need to be a graphics image?
Thank you!
Best Regards.
Webdesigner

Thank you, Nadia, for this answer. It brings up a another
question which I
just posted in answer to Webbie...
": Nadia : ** Adobe Community Expert **"
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:f3ihra$8st$[email protected]..
> You can use css to create a shadow but it doesn't render
correctlyacross
> platforms/browsers I believe. You can google for those
words and I'm
> sure you'll come up with some examples.
>
> I would use a graphic image instead and use css to
repeat the shadow the
> length of the box.
>
> --
> Nadia
> Adobe® Community Expert : Dreamweaver
> ----------------------------------------
> CSS Templates |Tutorials |SEO Articles
>
http://www.DreamweaverResources.com
> ~ Customisation Service Available ~
>
http://www.csstemplates.com.au
> ----------------------------------------------------
> Spry Widget Examples
>
http://www.dreamweaverresources.com/spry-widgets/
> ----------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> "Webdesigner" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:f3i7pn$r9o$[email protected]..
>>I find in Dreamweaver's Manuel the instructions on
how to put a drop
>>shadow around words and text. Can Dreamweaver put a
drop shadow around a
>>CSS layer or box? Or does that effect need to be a
graphics image?
>>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> Best Regards.
>> Webdesigner
>>
>
>

Using Transparency and Drop Shadows

I'm applying a drop shadow to text in different text boxes and on different curvy paths and also to various vector objects. When I turned on the flattener preview, I noticed that lots of text and vectors were being rasterized. I know the common solution is to bring the text and vector objects to the front, however, no matter what I do, one text's shadow or some other vector objects's shadow inevitably effects one other. The only solution I came up with was to copy all the items that have drop shadows, then paste in place on top of the same objects. I then removed the drop shadow from the top layer of items and left the drop shadow on the bottom layer of objects. Is this the best way to do this?
Thanks for the help.

if you mean using actual layers to manage your documents then this is a good workflow to adopt.
Essentialy layers holding text should always be above those holding images/objects that contain transparany. This can help reduce instances where some of your text may be getting flattened when it interacts with the transparency.
Also when exporting to PDF ensure the 'high resolution' transparency flattener preset is selected to ensure consistent output.

Opacity mask is also knocking out drop shadow. Grrr.

Hi everyone,
I'm having a problem with Illustrator CS6 that's really bugging me and there must be a simple fix that I'm missing.
I have editable text with a linked opacity mask. The opacity mask contains strokes with an art brush applied to 'scratch' out parts of the text.
See below for example:
I don't want the opacity mask to knock out the drop shadow (much like how "Layer Knocks Out Drop Shadow" works in Photoshop), but just knock out the text only. See below for an example of what I want the end result to be:
BUT, and here's the problem, I want the text to remain editable.
I know one workaround is that I could convert the text to outlines, make it a compound path, expand the strokes on the opacity mask, make those a compound path too, and then Subtract/Minus Front the scratches from the text object and then reapply the drop shadow, BUT, this renders the text uneditable.
I've tried playing with the options in the Transparency panel, ie: Opacity & Mask Define Knockout Shape but nothing has worked.
What am I missing??
Thanks so much in advance for your help!!
Cheryl

Hi Jacob,
Thanks so much for the detailed instructions. I get through step 4 no problems but I run into problems with the way I try to select the items for step 5.
Let's say I have completed step 4 and am ready to begin step 5. When I am in my Layers panel, I select the scratches that are now masked by the non-drop shadowed text:
I then click into the the Opacity Mask editing mode [per your instructions "5) Select the Opacity Mask from 4)"] and now the mask is selected:
The problem begins when I have to effectively shift-select the mask and the live text from 1 (the original text with the drop shadow).
To begin, I still have the opacity mask selected (as shown above) and then when I click the left object preview box (as circled below)
to get back into the full Layers panel (to select the live text), now the mask becomes DEselected and the object becomes selected. How do I keep a mask selected and yet go back to in the Layers panel to select other items from there?
Thanks!
Cheryl

Lower Third drop shadow

any way to get a drop shadow on just the text in the lower third text mode? ... no biggie i know i can create elsewhere but was just wondering ...

Use two layers, one that carries the lower third text and the other that carries the lower third background or bar. Use spaces to make up letters for the the background layer. Apply the drop shadow to the text layer.
Or better use a cropped color matte for the background and Title 3D for the text, positioning it with the Title 3D controls panel.

Drop shadow for images

I've done this easily in Photoshop CS3 but now I'm trying to teach people with Elements 6 or 7 how to add a drop shadow to their images. The help menu seems to think that I would add it only to text.
When I follow the procedure with an image open, nothing happens.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Mary Lou

Mary Lou,
To add a drop shadow to the entire picture:
1. Duplicate the picture layer.
2. Increase the canvas size. The duplicate layer will be on transparent background.
3. Apply the Drop Shadows Layer Style. To change the default shadow, open the Style Settings and adjust the various settings.
http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1bxVVZCr9XHbMWpqGLbFyTNkpdVsma1
You can also create a drop shadow not using the layer style:
1. Duplicate the picture layer and increase canvas as above.
2. Ctrl-click the duplicate layer to select it.
3. Create a new layer below the duplicate layer and fill with black.
4. Use the Move tool to position the black layer where you want the shadow to be.
5. Soften the edges of the black layer using a Gaussian Blur.
http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1fUAf62zQNztHfAbEOjTg8DSGaltBl0
In both methods you can lighten the shadow by reducing the layer's Opacity, or darken the shadow by duplicating the layer.
Also note that when you use the Drop Shadows Layer Style, when the Style Settings is open you can use the mouse to drag the shadow wherever you want, even totally off the object (unlike with the Shadow Distance slider).

MY LAYER STYLES AND PHOTO EFFECTS ARE NOT SHOWING UP WHE I CLICK THE BOX, NO DROP SHADOW, ETC

MY LAYER STYLES AND PHOTO EFFECTS ARE NOT SHOWING UP WHE I CLICK THE BOX, NO DROP SHADOW, ETC,
I ALSO GET AN ERROR WHEN I OPEN THE EDITOR ONTITLECREATEWITHPARONS COULD NOT BE LOCATED IN THE DYNAMIC LINK ONCORE2DLL

Seems like the database has been accidently deleted. Browse here on how to get it back http://forums.adobe.com/thread/759100

Adjustment Layer with drop shadow not working

Hi,
I have a problem when trying to use an adjustment layer to apply a drop shadow to multiple images.
Here's what I'm trying to do.
I am creating a floating gallery in After Effects CC (latest updates are installed).
There are 75 photos and each photo is a 3D layer.
I want to add a adjustment layer to automatically add a drop shadow to all the images on the timeline.
It doesn't seem to work. Is there another work-around other then manually adding the effect to each image.
Thanks,
Cillian.

Hi Mylenium,
Thanks for the reply. I went and manually added the effect to each layer. For future reference, does it matter that the layer are 3D for a adjustment layer to work?
Cillian.

Fading A Drop Shadow - Missing 'Layer Mask Hides Effects' in CS5

I'm using CS5. I want to create a fading drop shadow on a shape/box. See the attached image below.
In Photoshop, this is easy by doing:
1) Create shape
2) Add layer mask to shape layer
3) Click gradient, set gradient to Multiply, and set gradient colors to white to black
4) Drag gradient where you want it on the shape. The drop shadow will actually bleed through the middle of the shape, and not just on the edges, which is unwanted.
5) Open up layer styles, under Blending Options, select Layer Mask Hides Effects and it will get rid of the drop shadow showing up in the middle of the shape and you will be left with perfect, faded drop shadow on the edges (see below for finished product).
Firework is missing step 5. There is no Blending Options and there is no Layer Mask Hides Effects. Or if there is, I have no found them. I am using CS5. Any ideas how to accomplish this in Fireworks?

Clone the shape. Change the color of the clone to gray and, in the properties panel, change its edge type to feather. With the clone still selected, choose Commands > Creative > Auto Vector Mask. Select the bottom, left mask type by clicking on its image, and then apply it. In the layers panel, click on the new mask group to select it. Click on the black masking object on the right of the two linked objects to activate the gradient adjustment handle. Shorten and rotate the gradient until you get the effect you want.

Layer Style/Blending options applying to all layers ie.. drop shadow angles

I am having a problem in CS6 Photoshop where I never experienced this in CS3-5.
I am designing a website and when I apply a drop shadow or inner shadow to a layer through layer style/blending options in the layers tab. It applys the same angle etc.. to all the other layers I have done styles too...
I will have 5 + layers done with styles and I will make a new layer and give it a shape, open up blending options and when I do a drop shadow and change the angle I literally can see everything on my layout change angles also when I move it around for just ONE layers style... What on earth is going on? This makes it impossible to make unique designs unless I keep flattening my PSD and transfering stuff over which destroys workflow.

Thank you for the reply's. I actually was able to figure it out shortly after making this thread.
@Noel Carboni: I needed to change the direction of the light for an inner shadow on a set of arrows for a slider. If they were the same angle it would look horrific.

Edit the INITIAL values in Layer...Layer Styles...Drop Shadow dialogue box

How can I edit the values in Layer...Layer Styles...Drop Shadow dialogue box so that values that appear when I FIRST OPEN the box are the values I use commonly?
For example, once I open the dialogue box, the Blend Mode is always "Multiply" and the Angle is always "120". I always use "Normal" and "45". Is there a place where I can make my default values "Normal" and "45"?

Which version of photoshop are you using?
Newer versions of photoshop have a Make Default button at the bottom of the dialog.

Layer mask reveal w/drop-shadow

I have an image silohetted on a trasparent backgound. In order to put a drop shadow on it that only affects the bottom half of the image, I duplicated the layer, added a drop shadow layer style and a layer mask>reveal to fade the effect of the drop shadow. This worked but the layer masked added black or darker coloring to the over all image - then I reduced the fill on that particular layer to 0% and still got the discoloration. Why is the overall image getting darker with the addtion of the lay mask on the layer style? Thanks for your time and consideration up front.

I guess you disabled "knockout" in the Drop Shadow options. If the layer with the shadow had been the lowest layer then it wouldn't have mattered.
Something else that may be useful in future is the Create Layer(s) command for converting Layer Style effects to regular pixel layers.

Drop Shadows Not Exporting On a Single Page in 1.3

Hi guys,
I have a trifold I've made and while exporting for my printer, I lose the drop shadows on the inside page (page 2). There are fewer drops shadows on the first page, and that side prints properly. The only difference between the two pages aside from the amount of drop shadows; is that most drop shadows are jpgs on page 2, and the outside page has only basic shapes. These same shapes show up on page 2 as well, but doesn't have drop shadows (therefore ruling out that it's because I have jpgs). I have to export it as a PDF 1.3 (Adobe 4) because that's what my printer specified with me, hence the only reason I'm running into transparency issues such as this. I'm running CS6 with Adobe Acrobat X Pro.
Thanks,
Mitch

The objects that have drop shadows on page 2 are mostly jpgs, sorry for the confusion.

Rotating drop shadow

okay, so i have a ring made up of 10 balls - sort of like a
clock - and i've made them spin one way, then in the other
direction. i want to create a realistic drop shadow that obv
animates along with the ring, but when i skew the shadow and then
animate it to rotate, the whole shape moves in a funky way. instead
of looking like the cast shadows of the individual balls in the
ring, it looks more like a second, skewed clog doing it's own
thang. i've tried motion tweening first, then skewing, and vice
versa - with the same results. i'm a newb to flash, and my luck
with motion guides has not been good. when i try breaking up the
balls into 10 individual layers and making them rotate around a
circular path, i get some error message saying i can't animate
ungrouped or multiple symbol layers or something weird like that.
i've watched a couple motion guide tutorials, but i still can't
apply it to the project i'm working on now. anyone have a spare 5
mins to tell me how to do this? i will love you forever.

I can't resist the offer of love forever, so here goes:
You might try this: turn your animating ball ring into a
single movie clip, by copying all layers and then pasting them into
a new blank movie clip. Then, on a blank stage, place one instance
of that movie clip.
Now here's the tricky part: You must move the movie clip's
center point to the very bottom of the clip. Not the bottom of the
individual ball, but the lowest point that the ball goes to in its
rotation. Think of it as the point where your rotating ring touches
the ground. Click on the Free Transform tool and move that little
white circle down to the bottom.
Now copy that movie clip and paste it in place (aligned with
the first one), but on a new, lower, layer.
Now you can skew the bottom movie clip...as long as that
center point (which you moved to the bottom) does not move. Apply a
tint to it, or an alpha value (Color field in the Properties
panel). If you have Flash 8, you can also apply a Blur filter.
I just tried all this myself, based on your description. It
works.

Ignore drop shadow on a single layer?

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