Drop Shadow Effect

[limbo]

Hi all - I am trying to create a dropshadow effect.

Only I need the drop shaodow to fall from one end - like when you pick up one end of a sofa to let someone clamber in and retrieve something.

I use fireworks but can handle photoshop too. I tried creating a new layer copying the object across - adding gaussian blur and removing colour then distorting both images, but I can't find a method to get the perpective right.

I need to repeat the function for about 30 icons for a 'under the hood' section.

Ta

Limbo

[Leosghost]

if you've got paintshop pro? couldn't you do this with "pinch" or one of the tools in that group?

[limbo]

I Don't have PSP

but I could try the same filter in PS. Thanks for the tip. I was hoping that there was a setting in the dropshadow filter that would allow 'lamp' movement.

I have actually got pretty close to the effect using skew and ensuring the object forshortens and the shadow lenghthens but to repeat so many times and to get the same result will be tricky!

Has anyone tried to import PS filters into Fireworks?

[Leosghost]

I think I have an idea for another way ..so if it's not to urgent I 'll try it out before I say ..it uses something that you can do in Poser ( but I might be able to do it in photoshop ) ..you really should get paintshop pro ..for the money you will never regret it ..and its so much faster than photoshop for so many things ..like the difference between getting the car out to go buy a paper and just jumping on your scooter!

[Leosghost]

Another thing about paintshop pro is the "scripts" facility which is really nice when you do have to do repetitive work...I know it's always regarded as a sort of "non pro" ( in spite of it's name ) software ..but I find it's sort of like a swiss army knife ..And it accepts most all the photo shop plug in s...leaves me more time to make dumb posts here : )

[Jon_King]

limbo,

Yea I really think a more robust filter is in order here. There are a number of tutorials for creating drop shadows on the web, but what you are already doing is the close to the same method I use.

duplicate layer>desaturate>gauss blur>reduce contrast>reduce transparency (for overlay effect) >set layer to multiply> then manipulate with perspective, free transform and shear.

One other thing is to lighten as the shadow gets farther away by making a selection near the farthest end, doing a large feather selection and deleting for a fading effect...

Jon

[trillianjedi]

<Whoops - misread post>

[limbo]

you really should get paintshop pro

I can't really afford to splash out - even on this - I have fireworks at home and so far it has coped with everything I have thrown at it. It also has batch processing and command scripting but will not allow the dexterity I need to repeat function on drop shadow. Well it does, but the varying nature of the images (size, shape and tranparency) mean they are not transferable.

duplicate layer>desaturate>gauss blur>reduce contrast>reduce transparency (for overlay effect) >set layer to multiply> then manipulate with perspective, free transform and shear.

One other thing is to lighten as the shadow gets farther away by making a selection near the farthest end, doing a large feather selection and deleting for a fading effect...

Good tips JK! I hadn't faded the shadow from its axis, this has added a touch more realism to the effect.

Still can't apply this to multiple images though, maybe it is a case of learing to run through the actions quickly - creating a script command for the shadow and then and sticking to fixed manipulation for distort to maintain the consistency.

Thanks

limbo