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July 3, 2022
Answered

Manipulate drop shadow

  • July 3, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 623 views

Hi all,

 

I'm hoping to make a graphic similar to this. In particular, I'm struggling with the shadow.

 

How do I make a shadow like this?

 

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Bill Silbert

Using a drop shadow effect will only act as an extension of a shape so it won't work to make a shadow that does not reflect the contour of the shape. It needs a workaround. In the screen shot below I made the custom shadows by first drawing an ellipse to roughly the shape I needed, filling it with black and applying the Directional Feather Effect using the settings shown. I then moved the shape backward in the stacking order to be behind the shape that needed the shadow and applied the opacity and Multiply as shown in the Effects Panel. 

2 replies

Bill Silbert
Community Expert
Bill SilbertCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
July 3, 2022

Using a drop shadow effect will only act as an extension of a shape so it won't work to make a shadow that does not reflect the contour of the shape. It needs a workaround. In the screen shot below I made the custom shadows by first drawing an ellipse to roughly the shape I needed, filling it with black and applying the Directional Feather Effect using the settings shown. I then moved the shape backward in the stacking order to be behind the shape that needed the shadow and applied the opacity and Multiply as shown in the Effects Panel. 

July 4, 2022

Ok, thank you. I'll give that a try. 

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 3, 2022

I don't think it is a drop shadow, but a separate shape with blur and opacity applied. 

 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)