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Participating Frequently
December 10, 2016
Answered

How to make dropshadow-like effect on stroke drawing

  • December 10, 2016
  • 6 replies
  • 5099 views

Hi,

I have got 1pt stroke line art drawing without fill color. I'd like to add to it dropshadow with one solid light grey to its right side. no blurs, just around 5px lenght solid color. here's a example, not very good but hopefully you'll get the idea: Printable Color Page Digital Coloring Sheet by PurpleDaizieArts

The dropshadow is easy to do for a filled object, just copying and coloring it with color, then sending it back. But I can't do that because lineart is not filled and I need to leavethe inner cells empty. using effects and choocing dropshadow is not an option because I need the shadow to be a vector object.

Thank you in advance.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Ton Frederiks

    But you can solve that by adding a Fill instead of a Drop Shadow Effect.

    Which may be a better, more flexible solution.

    6 replies

    TsuiyaAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    December 14, 2016

    Thank you.

    Btw, I have got an another question. How about if the object is a complicated fill without strokes? Like some line art drawing, but the lines are fills. here's some example of a line art image https://m.shutterstock.com/images/376286884

    Any quick suggestions?

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    December 14, 2016

    That looks like the result you get when you autotrace an image.

    Duplicate the layer in the Layers panel and Hide the top layer.

    I would choose Object > Compound Path > Release

    Make it into a single shape the resulting objects with the Pathfinder panel > Unite

    Ungroup the result and apply the same technique as above (make the fill Transparent, add a new fill below, Transform the fill and use the Knockout Group).

    Show the top layer.

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    December 10, 2016

    Try this:

    barbara_a7746676
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    December 10, 2016

    Clever solution! It seems dependent on having the stroke weight the same as the thickness of the drop shadow.

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    December 10, 2016

    Thanks, the thickness of a drop shadow effect on a stroke is always the same as the stroke weight.

    barbara_a7746676
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    December 10, 2016

    Here's one way that could work for you.

    Duplicate the shape.

    Effect > 3D > Extrude and Bevel. Position needs to be Front, Bevel: Classic, and Height will determine how thick the edge will be.

    Position the original shape on top of the 3D extruded shape and slightly offset. Make sure that the original shape is on TOP. Below is Outline view so you can see the two shapes better.

    Select both shapes. Object > Clipping Mask > Make.

    rcraighead
    Legend
    December 10, 2016

    Maybe I misunderstand the complexity or your request. It seems an Appearance with offset stroke, saved as a Graphic Style, would fit your needs.

    Mylenium
    Legend
    December 10, 2016

    You offset the contour using the respective path commands and fill it. Again, same as in your other post: You need to adapt your thinking and not simply try to apply pixel drawing techniques.

    Mylenium

    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    December 10, 2016

    Tsuya,

    As I (mis)understand it, regardless of version you may Direct Select and copy the/each path segment(s), then move it/them by a small increment in the shadow direction, then move copies further until done to your satisfaction. Undo may be your friend.