#ADD DROP SHADOW IN AFTER EFFECTS HOW TO#

In the Options Bar, you will see a rotate setting. With the underlying layer selected, press Control + T (Win) or Command + T (Mac) to access the Transform Tool. First, create a selection around the image, select a foreground color, then press Alt/Option + Delete to fill the selection, and then Control/Command + D to deselect the image. Note: With an image, you’ll need to fill the image with a solid color. To do this, select the text layer, open the Character Panel, and pick a new text color.

Step 2: Change The Color Of The Bottom Layerīefore you create the long drop shadow, let’s pick a color for the shadow. With your text layer highlighted, press Control + J (Win) or Command + J (Mac) to duplicate the layer.

#ADD DROP SHADOW IN AFTER EFFECTS HOW TO#

How To Create Long Drop Shadows In Photoshop Step 1: Duplicate Your Text Layer If you want to go back and adjust the drop shadow later on, simply double-click on the words “drop shadow” to reopen the layer styles dialogue box. Now, your layer will have an fx icon beside it with the drop shadow listed underneath. Once you’re happy with the look of your drop shadow, click OK in the Layer Styles dialogue box to exit the settings and go back to the Layers Panel. There is no right or wrong way of adjusting these sliders, so just experiment with each one until you’re happy with the look of the drop shadow. With a larger size, the edges of your drop shadow will become increasingly soft.

Size: The size setting operates a lot like the feather adjustment of the Brush Tool.

With a text layer drop shadow, for example, a larger spread will thicken each letter’s shadow’s look.

Spread: This controls how broad your drop shadow is in relation to your layer.

The greater your distance, the more disconnected the drop shadow and layer will become.

Distance: This adjustment controls how far your shadow is from your text or image.

Below the angle adjustment are three sliders called Distance, Spread, and Size let’s break down what each of them does. Now, it’s time to adjust the look of your drop shadow. Step 3: Adjust The Shadow’s Distance, Spread, And Size By typing in 45°, for example, it will adjust the light angle accordingly. This setting alters which direction the “light” is coming from, therefore positioning the drop shadow on the opposite side of the source.Īlternatively, you can type in the exact angle you want the shadow to be at. To adjust the angle, click anywhere within the light source adjustment.

The drop shadow will be applied to your selected text or image layer, but there are still some additional settings left to adjust! Step 2: Adjust The Drop Shadow PositionĪfter selecting the drop shadow option, the layer styles dialogue box will open to reveal your shadow settings. Then, click on Drop Shadow from the list of options. To add a layer effect, click on the fx icon found at the bottom of your Layers Panel. Note: In this example, I’ll be adding a drop shadow to text, but the same steps apply to an image layer. By clicking on your text or image layer, Photoshop will know exactly where you want the drop shadow to be applied. How To Add A Drop Shadow In Photoshop Step 1: Select The Layer And Go To Layer Styles > Drop Shadowīefore you create a drop shadow, you need to select the correct layer.

Add drop shadow in after effects