• Adobe After Effects

  take an object png and create drop shadow

  Posted by Anita Sancha on October 3, 2014 at 1:38 pm

  Hi…

  How can I take an object and create drop shadow onto other objects. without having the shadow appear on the transparent background.

  i.e 2 layers

  cup on saucer.

  cup layer 1
  saucer layer 2
  background transparent

  the shadow of the cup ONLY on the saucer NOT the transparent background layer.

  Thanks

  Thanks for all your help
  Anita Sancha.

  http://www.anitasancha.co.uk

  Anita Sancha replied 11 years, 7 months ago 2 Members · 5 Replies
• 5 Replies

• 

  Anita Sancha

  October 3, 2014 at 1:39 pm

  After effects 5.5

  Thanks for all your help
  Anita Sancha.

  http://www.anitasancha.co.uk
• 

  Walter Soyka

  October 3, 2014 at 1:45 pm

  Don’t use the drop shadow effect or layer style. Instead, use 3D layers and a light to cast the shadows:

  https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/3d-layers.html

  Walter Soyka
  Designer & Mad Scientist at Keen Live [link]
  Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
  @keenlive   |   RenderBreak [blog]   |   Profile [LinkedIn]
• 

  Anita Sancha

  October 3, 2014 at 2:03 pm

  Hi…. Thats a solution… but the actual project is large and using lights changes the flat 2D style I hope to keep. Lighting takes it on to a whole new “feel” great though it is I was hoping not to go 3D…

  so would really appreciate a 2D solution if there is one !!!

  Thanks for all your help
  Anita Sancha.

  http://www.anitasancha.co.uk
• 

  Walter Soyka

  October 3, 2014 at 2:31 pm

  [anita sancha] “using lights changes the flat 2D style I hope to keep. “

  If you set a layer’s “Accept Lights” property to off (in its material settings, tap AA with a layer selected to reveal), then it will not be shaded by lights. It can still cast shadows.

  [anita sancha] “so would really appreciate a 2D solution if there is one !!!”

  You can fake it with a bunch of compositing:

  1. Top Layer
  2. Bottom Layer (invisible)
  3. Top Layer (Drop Shadow Effect with Shadow Only option, Alpha Track Matte set)
  4. Bottom Layer

  Walter Soyka
  Designer & Mad Scientist at Keen Live [link]
  Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
  @keenlive   |   RenderBreak [blog]   |   Profile [LinkedIn]
• 

  Anita Sancha

  October 3, 2014 at 2:40 pm

  PERRRRRRFECT 2D solution using the alpha matt… just what I wanted…. internet “KISSSSES” and HUGGS

  Thanks for all your help
  Anita Sancha.

  http://www.anitasancha.co.uk

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