Custom Shadow, Step 1, Option 1: Build a Shadow Manually
Custom Shadow, Step 1
Option 1: Build a Shadow Manually
Learn the details of what makes a good custom shadow from beginning to end.
- Download the FND-CustomShadow-Worksheet. Use this worksheet to follow along with any of the 5 videos in this series.
- Download the DS-CustomShadow-Manual. This manual contains PS and PSE step-by-step instructions for all 5 videos in this series.
- The videos in this series are not downloadable. They are recorded in PSE, but the instructions are exactly the same for PS, except where noted.
- See the Cheatsheet below the video.
Manual Custom Shadow Cheatsheet
(see the manual for step-by-step instructions)
- Add Color
- Drag a duplicate layer below the target layer and rename it Custom Shadow.
- Fill the duplicate layer's pixels with black.
- Add Spacing
- Fit the document to the viewing area.
- Move the shadow down 5 clicks and to the right 3 clicks.
- Add Blending
- Set the Opacity to 40%.
- Set the Blend Mode to Multiply.
- Add Blur
- Add a 5 px blur with the Gaussian Blur filter.
- Transform
- Use Warp or the Smudge Tool to transform the shadow. Instructions can be found in Step 2 of this tutorial series.