How to soften hard edges in dropshadow

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
December 18, 2020
3 replies
3420 views

Hi Please see screenshot showing the various layers of a logo mockup. The shadow layer has very defined edges at the bottom and left hand side and I am trying to work out how to soften them. I tried the background eraser tool as I need the finished image to have 2 copies of it, one of them having a transparent background.

Appreciate any advice 🙂

How to

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Bojan Živković11378569

It seems group Shadow is inside some other group which may have layer mask atached. Please drag Layers panel outside right side area to expand Layers panel to be able to see entire Layers panel and where Shadow group belong.

You may be able to solve problem by pressing Ctrl + [ with Shadow group selected or in other words to drag that group outside of another group but we need to know and what effect you want to achieve and where you are going with shadow? You just want to remove that distracting line or you want to modify shadow in some way?

Chuck Uebele

Community Expert

I didn't see your other screen shot, sorry. Yea, your shadow layer has a white bar through it at the base, which is cutting off the shadow. I would do as Barbara mentioned and add a layer mask to feather out the edge. The background eraser tool isn't right for what you want to do.

broomeGirlAuthor

Inspiring

Thanks to both of you for your time and sorry it took me so long to respond. Your help has solved the problem and I very much appreciate it.

Bojan Živković11378569

Correct answer

Community Expert

It seems group Shadow is inside some other group which may have layer mask atached. Please drag Layers panel outside right side area to expand Layers panel to be able to see entire Layers panel and where Shadow group belong.

You may be able to solve problem by pressing Ctrl + [ with Shadow group selected or in other words to drag that group outside of another group but we need to know and what effect you want to achieve and where you are going with shadow? You just want to remove that distracting line or you want to modify shadow in some way?

Chuck Uebele

Community Expert

Can you show your layers panel. It looks like you have a layer mask that is cutting off that area, maybe if you extended the canvas and it left a hard edge on one of the masks.

barbara_a7746676

Community Expert

Looks like your shadow is on a separate layer. That should make it relatively easy to edit. You could add a layer mask to the shadow layer and touch up the mask with a soft brush using black at a low opacity.

Select the shadow and add a layer mask.

Use a soft brush at a low opacity, to touch up the mask. Use black to hide parts of the shadow. With a low opacity you should get a soft edge.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded