Drop Shadows

[Loriscraps3]

Hello! I am hoping someone in the DSP community can clarify drop shadows for me. :confused:

I am looking for a "guide" of sorts--like, when do you use a hard versus soft drop shadow? How do you determine the best shadow distance? What (if any) elements should not have a drop shadow? Do titles usually have one? If you use brushes to make a "stamping" effect on the page, do they have a drop shadow? Does journaling ever need a drop shadow?

Thank you in advance for any input/assistance.

Happy Mother's Day Weekend to all! :)

[Tara]

Lori - great question! Drop shadows depend on the type of layout you want to make. For example, graphic layouts usually don't have drop shadows. Paper-style layouts (i.e. you want to make it look like you made it with 3D elements) do. Some people mix the two styles...that part is really up to you.

When I first started at DSP someone recommended using drop shadows of 1-3 for most objects (I use Photoshop Elements). Maybe a bit more for "bulky" objects (metal accents, etc.). If the shadows are too big, it will make your objects look like they are floating above the page. I don't think I've ever used a drop shadow that was larger than size 4.

I only put drop shadows on text (and then only a very slight one) that I want to look like is cut out of paper. Does that make sense? If I want it to look kind of like a die cut, then I add a small shadow...that is usually only for large sized titles though. (See an example here (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=51431&cat=500&ppuser=17916) or here (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=94771&cat=500&ppuser=17916) - in both these layouts I wanted it to look like I cut the titles out of paper) Otherwise, I leave it alone. I don't usually use shadows on brushwork either...unless, once again, I want to make it look like a cut out.

I hope those tips help! I'm sure someone much more knowledgeable will be along soon with more advice!!

[LindaBelle]

Tara did a wonderful job of explaining the most important parts.

I suppose it will make a difference of which program you're using...but I'll try to explain a little more of what I've picked up (I'm using PSE2 but this may be the same or close in other versions and/or programs).

When I first started I thought that all I had to do was chose one of the options under layer styles>drop shadows. It was usually low or soft edge. And I thought that was all I could do.

Luckily Stacey Jewel Stahl helped me along...and I'm happy to pass on what I learned.....After chosing low or soft (or whatever your choice) then go into "Layer" on the toolbar. It will open to options - one of which is "Layer Style"... open that to "Style Settings"

This is where you can set the angle of your light source. The most common seems to be 120 degrees. That will put the light source coming from the upper left hand corner. Click "Use Global Light" so that each layer, element that you set the shadows on will be done with the same light angle.

Now you can adjust shadow distance.....and the numbers that Tara gave are perfect! I agree completely!!!

I think other programs have more features that you can fine tune even more.
Hope this helps....and keep asking if more info is needed.
I believe that the drop shadow effect can make or break the finishing effect on an otherwise lovely layout...it's worth the extra time to get it right.

[Sandersmr]

I use PSPX and I use for most of my backgrounds and photo pages the following settings:

Horizontal: 2-4 (depending on the thickness of my "paper")
Vertical: 2-4 (these settings are equivalent to the 120 degree in PSE)
Blur: 5.0

For thicker elements, I will add to the horizontal and vertical, but usually don't touch the blur.

If I'm using Stacey Jewell Stahl's technique for engraving elements, then I will drop the blur to 0.

[Loriscraps3]

BTW, I am using PSE 4.0.

[ScrapMel]

With PSE4, once you put a layer style on, notice the little 'f' icon in your layer thumbnail? Click it and a dialog will open up. Choose your shadow distance and there you go - and yes usually only a 1 to maybe 5 is ever needed.
Another quick tip - if you unclick the global lighting box, you can then change the direction of the shadow on that one layer. But this is very rare to ever do this, but thought you might need to know sometime!

[Margie]

there are two helpful articles here too!
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/articles/digitalrealism_vb.shtml
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/handscrapped.shtml