Borders for complex shapes

Can someone please tell me an easier way to create borders? I use to do it via radial shadow.  It they've ruined that tool now. Doesn't seem to work anymore. 
I need someone that's as efficient without having to go into photoshop. Before say I have a lots of circles. I would add a radial shadow to one and copy and paste to the rest literally took me 10seconds. Now can't even do one.