Creating Shadows for Objects
Creating Shadows for Objects
The Shadow command lets you apply two types of offset (“drop”) shadows to selected objects. Use the command to apply a shadow made of vector objects or an image. Canvas X Draw places the shadow directly behind the selected object in the stacking order.
You can edit shadow objects independently from the objects they are shadowing. Skew them to create oblique shadows and use filters to change their appearance. The original object and shadow are not grouped, so editing or moving one doesn’t affect the other.
You can also create shadows using Dynamic Effects, which update along with their object. (See Dynamic Effects.)
| Vector and image type shadows with different offsets |
You can apply shadow effects to any vector or text object except dimension objects and Smart Lines. If you apply a vector shadow to a group of objects, Canvas X Draw groups the shadow objects and places the shadow behind the original group. If you apply a shadow to a paint object, Canvas X Draw creates a shadow of the paint object’s bounding box.
To Create an Offset Shadow:
- Select an object and choose Effects | Shadow.
- In the Shadow dialog box, set the shadow options. (See Shadow Options.)
- Click Apply to see the effect. To accept the settings and close the dialog box, click OK.
Shadow Options
Shadow type | Select Object to create a vector object shadow. Select Image to create a paint object shadow. A vector shadow has a hard edge and can be edited like any vector object. An image shadow can be softened using the Gaussian Blur option and can be edited like any paint object. |
Shadow color | Select the color to apply to the shadow object from the color palette. |
Offset | Specify the location of the shadow relative to the original object. Enter the distance and angular direction to offset the shadow in the first text boxes, or enter the horizontal and vertical distances to offset the shadow in the second text boxes. |
Image options | These options are available when Image is selected. Specify the amount of blur in the Gaussian Blur box. Select the color mode of the paint object from the Mode menu. Set the image resolution in the Res box. To apply anti-aliasing, select an option from the menu. |
Size | The value shows the amount of memory required for the paint object based on the current Image Options settings. |
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