Design Challenge #2 - April 2012 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, CHIT-CHAT

[3LilMonsters]

Originally Posted by frogfish

I'm almost positive that preshadowing refers to shadows that are on the transparent background (hang off of the element in question). That being said, if you stack elements and then flatten for the final submission, you would want to shadow where the two layers overlap (but don't include any shadow that doesn't fall on top of another element).

Does that make sense???

Designers out there, please let me know if I'm wrong in this or if there is a better way to explain it.

Thanks!

Hi, I don't mind trying to explain this.

Note: these tips are for PSE, but it should work in most programs.

The easiest way to get rid of outside shadows is to duplicate all of your layers, and remove styles from all of the duplicated layers, and then merge those layers into one layer. Then press CTRL+Shift+[ to send that layer to the bottom. Merge the other set of layers into one layer, and press CTRL+G to use the unshadowed layer as a clipping mask. this removes all of the drop shadows from the outside of the element, but leaves them on the inside for reality.

hmmm. did that make any sense at all??

I tried to find an online tutorial, or video, and couldn't find anything, but I will keep searching.

You can also buy an action from Wendyzine that does all of that for you here.