Drop shadow in specific Layers

[Steve Roberts]

You could try duping the layer, then applying drop shadow as “shadow only” to the dupe. Then you add the layer on which the shadow falls, and dupe that. Use the dupe as the alpha matte for the shadow-only layer. Four layers instead of two.

You might consider making the layers 3D and adding a light, and set the shadow-receiving layer to receive shadows, and the other to cast shadows. 2 layers and a light instead of four … and more control over the shadow.

Steve

[Aharon Rabinowitz]

How about this-

Make a second layer that uses the shadow only option, place it below the original (that is “casting” the shadow) and then turn on its (the shadow layer’s) Preserve Underlying Transparency option so that it borrows it’s own opacity from layers below it. If no other layer is under it, it will be fully transparent, if a layer is under it it gets that layers level of opacity.

The Preserve Underlying Transparency option is an often overlooked feature. You can turn it on in the timeline’s “modes” pannel by checking off the little “T” box between the “mode” pulldown and “TrkMt” pulldown. Turn that on for the layer you are using as the shadow.

—————————————-
Aharon Rabinowitz
aharon(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
http://www.allbetsareoff.com
—————————————-
Creative Cow Master Series DVD
particleIllusion Fusion Volume 1
available @ http://www.pIllusionFusion.com