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Robert Zat
Participant
Apr 4, 2025 12:23 AM UTC
Answered

Adding a drop shadow to a cropped image causes the drop shadow to not show up

I've downloaded the latest Premiere Pro v 25.2 and once again I cannot add a drop shadow to a cropped image.  BTW, I'm on a PC.   The drop shadow panel is below the crop panel in the effects panel.  Obviously uncropping the image will disclose the drop shadow but I need to crop an image and add a drop shadow to that image.  Any ideas?

Kevin J. Monahan Jr.
Kevin J. Monahan Jr.Correct answer
Legend
Apr 4, 2025 1:45 AM UTC

Hi @Robert Zat,

You can either nest the clip and add the drop shadow to the nest, or you can use the crop effect instead of the built-in effect. That will work without nesting. Sorry for the confusion.

 

Cheers,

Kevin

Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community and Engagement Strategist – Adobe Pro Video and Audio
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7 replies

Robert ZatAuthor
Participant
Apr 4, 2025 10:18 PM UTC

Greetings to everyone who sent their advice.  I have had success, finally, and appreciate everyones help and suggestions.

Thank You!

 

Bob Z.

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Community Expert
PaulMurphyCommunity Expert
Community Expert
Apr 4, 2025 9:59 AM UTC

Instead of using the built-in Crop controls under Motion, apply the Crop effect from the Effects panel. This allows better control over effect order.

To make the drop shadow appear correctly:

  1. Add the Crop effect from the Effects panel.
  2. Add the Drop Shadow effect.
  3. In the Effect Controls panel, place Crop above Drop Shadow.


This ensures the shadow is applied to the cropped edges as expected.

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    Kyanna Clark
    Participant
    Nov 5, 2025 10:39 PM UTC

    Thank you so much for this. I believe I previously placed crop above drop shadow without thinking about the order and just right now was trying to figure out why the same 2 effects together weren't working as before, just had the switch the order!

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    Kevin J. Monahan Jr.
    Kevin J. Monahan Jr.Correct answer
    Legend
    Apr 4, 2025 1:45 AM UTC

    Hi @Robert Zat,

    You can either nest the clip and add the drop shadow to the nest, or you can use the crop effect instead of the built-in effect. That will work without nesting. Sorry for the confusion.

     

    Cheers,

    Kevin

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    Kevin Monahan - Sr. Community and Engagement Strategist – Adobe Pro Video and Audio
      Robert ZatAuthor
      Participant
      Apr 4, 2025 2:42 AM UTC

      Hi Kevin,

       

      First of all I can't nest the clip because I have three re-sised images over a background and those three images all need drop shadows applied.  Also, what is the difference between the "crop effect" and "built-in effect"?   I only see the crop function in the effects panel and also the crop effect in the "Essential" panel and they both offer up the same results. No drop on a crop!

       

      Thanks for you response and I look forward to some clarification.

       

      BZ

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      MyerPj
      Community Expert
      MyerPjCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      Apr 4, 2025 3:24 AM UTC

      Hey RZ, you gotta try stuff. As Kevin said, use the 'Crop' effect from the effects panel instead of the native one. That's one of the reasons the crop effect has been left in the Effects panel. 

       

      Also you can Nest each clip and apply the drop shadow effect to the nest, just as Kevin. Give both a try, they both work.

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