Basic Drop Shadows
Overview: A quick simple tutorial for creating a good basic drop shadow
Notes:
- this tutorial was created using Photoshop CS 2
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I'm assuming you have a basic understanding and knowledge of your computer re: files, folders. - - - - you also need a good knowledge of how to use Photoshop
Drop Shadows
Drop shadows are vital to create a realistic feel to your digital scrapbook embellishments. Good drop shadows add necessary depth to your layouts/card making.
Most embellishments that you buy will not automatically have drop shadows. You will have much more room for creative use if you add your own drop shadows.
( Please note that this is something most designers have only recently started doing (within the last 2 yrs - 2006/7). You may sometimes come across products that do have drop shadows already added - I will be adding a tutorial very soon for getting rid of unwanted shadows!)
For those of you new to digital scrapbooking, adding your own drop shadows is very quick and painless in whatever graphics program you are using.
Photoshop:
- Choose your element and add it to your layout
- Make sure you have that element (layer) selected and double click on the layer to bring up the Layer Styles. Alternatively, you can just click the little "f" button on the very bottom of the Layer palette and choose "Drop Shadow"
- All you need to do is play around with the settings until you get the kind of shadow you want
One thing I would say about drop shadows is that "less is more". The idea is that you want to create a beautiful layout that is realistic and has a real nice 3d effect with a bit of depth as if you were doing normal scrapbooking and sticking elements to your cards and photos. You need just a smallish shadow to get that effect. If you take a close look at my layout samples, you will see what I mean:
This is part of a tag and mesh photo frame. The drop shadow is soft and not very big. This is similar to how it would look if you were sticking these elements on card with glue dots or sticky back tape.
Creating drop shadows in other graphic/image programs such as Paint Shop Pro, Photo Impact and Photo Paint is very similar. If you are unsure how to do it in your particular program, click Help on the menu bar and do a search for "drop shadow".
Hope that helps!
Happy Digital Scrapbooking!!