Google Map type drop shadow

[Joseph W. bourke]

I assume you mean the drop shadow that’s on the map, the deep perspective shadow from the speech balloon, and not the small soft drop shadows that are on the icons to the left of the map. If so, there’s Eye Candy for After Effects (they also make it for Photoshop) that has a filter called “perspective shadow”, which does this and a whole lot more. It has a number of nice presets too, if you’re short on ideas.

Joe Bourke
Art Director / WMUR-TV

[Kevin Camp]

you can make your own by duplicating the layer and applying the drop shadow effect with shadow only to the lower duplicate layer. then apply a corner pin effect above the drop shadow, setting the corner pins as needed for the faux perspective shadow effect.

i also made a preset that will create a faux perspective shadow effect similar to that of google maps that you can download at:

http://www.mercuryjones.com/aepresets.html

it should be pretty easy to use.

Kevin Camp
Designer – KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW