[lorac]

I've been trying to figure this one out for quite awhile now and still can't get it right. The instructions are for CS2 using Windows XP. I use PSE9 with Vista and these instructions don't work.

Is there someone out there in SG Land who can help me? Thanks for any help you can give me.

Here are the instructions for CS2:

Adding a Unique Shadow to an Orchid Embellishment
Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS2 with Windows XP.
One of the embellishments in Orchid Collection Mini is an illustration of a potted orchid plant. Instead of the typical flat drop-shadow, you can add a more unique shadow for a greater three-dimensional look.

First, open a new document and drag the file OrchidPlant.png onto it.

Next, right-click on the Plant layer and choose "Blending Options," then "Drop Shadow." Apply the following settings:
Blending Mode: Multiply
Color: Black
Angle: 120 degrees
Distance: 10px
Spread: 0%
Size: 20px
Then, click OK.

Back to the Layers Palette, right-click on the Effects section of the Plant layer and choose "Create Layer" from the menu. Click OK to accept.

This will separate the drop shadow onto its own layer. Now you can freely transform the shadow without affecting the original image.

With the Drop Shadow layer selected, go to Edit> Free Transform. Drag the top of the boundary box to about the middle of the object.

Nudge the drop shadow upward so that the bottom is hidden behind the pot. The drop shadow should already look more three-dimensional.

Next, go to Edit> Transform> Skew. Drag the top of the boundary box and move to the left or right. You will see the top of the shadow move likewise. The embellishment and its shadow are now ready to be used in your next digital scrapbooking layout.

[HeidiD]

PSE won't let you create a layer from a layer style (shadow). You'll need to use an action that will give you a shadow that ends up on its own layer to create this effect.

I made these actions to make it easier to get that kind of look:

ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Realistic Shadows - Basic PSE 11301
ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Realistic Shadows - Firm Materials PSE 11302

With my sets, you would try the "Cardstock" action from the Basic set to get the look from the tutorial. There are instructions with the actions to help you get the most out of them. I'd use the set with the "Stops" in it (comes in two parts) and I'd do my shadow adjusting in between the two parts of the action for the best results. PSE also does not have the Skew and/or Warp Tools, so I'd use the Smudge Tool like the action instructions suggest to get the shadow to move to the left. You can still use the Transform Tool to smoosh it down toward the bottom.

And Melissa has these also:

ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Shadow Layer 6501 PSE

HTH!

[lorac]

Thank you so much for your help Heidi. I will certainly try this, as it's one of the tasks in Jumpstart January.

[tiza126]

Yeah, PSE doesn't have the full shadowing abilities of CS. So for certain tutorials, we need to find work-arounds. But speaking from experience, Heidi's shadows are awesome!! Try those

I hope you get the tutorial figured out!

[Heatheranne]

lorac, on 26 January 2011 - 01:28 AM, said:

I've been trying to figure this one out for quite awhile now and still can't get it right. The instructions are for CS2 using Windows XP. I use PSE9 with Vista and these instructions don't work.

Is there someone out there in SG Land who can help me? Thanks for any help you can give me.

Here are the instructions for CS2:

Adding a Unique Shadow to an Orchid Embellishment
Note: Tutorial created using Adobe Photoshop CS2 with Windows XP.
One of the embellishments in Orchid Collection Mini is an illustration of a potted orchid plant. Instead of the typical flat drop-shadow, you can add a more unique shadow for a greater three-dimensional look.

First, open a new document and drag the file OrchidPlant.png onto it.

Next, right-click on the Plant layer and choose "Blending Options," then "Drop Shadow."

Apply the following settings:
Blending Mode: Multiply
Color: Black
Angle: 120 degrees
Distance: 10px
Spread: 0%
Size: 20px
Then, click OK.

Back to the Layers Palette, right-click on the Effects section of the Plant layer and choose "Create Layer" from the menu. Click OK to accept.

This will separate the drop shadow onto its own layer. Now you can freely transform the shadow without affecting the original image.

With the Drop Shadow layer selected, go to Edit> Free Transform. Drag the top of the boundary box to about the middle of the object.

Nudge the drop shadow upward so that the bottom is hidden behind the pot. The drop shadow should already look more three-dimensional.

Next, go to Edit> Transform> Skew. Drag the top of the boundary box and move to the left or right. You will see the top of the shadow move likewise. The embellishment and its shadow are now ready to be used in your next digital scrapbooking layout.

Have you figured this out yet? If not, please let me know and I'd be happy to help you with it. I love to play with shadows and drop shadows can be so much fun.

Here's a little info, just in case. In PSE, there isn't a seperate shadow layer option, but it's easy to make one. Select the object that you want to add the drop shadow too, by clicking on it in the layers palette while you hold down the ctrl key. Make a new layer beneath it, by holding the ctrl key and clicking on the new layer icon. You will now be on the new layer [shadow] and the marching ants will be on the object layer. Pour black/colour (a very dark shade of your main background colour [near the bottom right corner of the picker]) into the new layer [shadow] and it will take the shape of the object. Get your move tool and nudge the shadow layer to the right or left, depending on where your light is coming from. Mine usually comes from the top left, so I nudge it to the right. Yuk! I know it looks terrible! lol Lower the opacity to about 50% for now and you can lower it more later, if needed. Add a gaussian blur of about 15, unless the object is large, then the blur will need to be more, - the idea is to get a hazy look to the outer edge of the shadow. The blending mode can be changed to multiply for the the shadow, but try linear burn as well. Linear burn will cause the shadow to take the colours in the background paper, so if it is multiple colours, or your shadow goes over something of a different colour, the shadow will change slightly to take on the hue of the object that it floats over. Click ctrl+T to bring up the bounding box so that you can transform it. Yes, PSE is able to do some minor transformation to objects! Woo! Hoo! Thinking of where the light is coming from and how the shadow would fall [looking at your photo will help you choose where your shadows should come from and how they might fall], click on the top centre area of the transformation box, while holding down the ctrl key. You can push the top of the box down and to the right, or to the left, which will make it appear as though your object is casting a shadow. If it is morning or night, the shadow will be long and thin. To reflect this, you can pull the box up and in the desired direction, then grab each corner in turn and push it toward the centre, to make the top thinner. For midday type shadow, lower it to about half the height of the object and in the desired direction. The opacity can be changed down or up, depending on the colour of your background paper, blending mode and how close it is to the object [short is darker than long, because it's closer to the object.

Okay, so that was a little more than I expected but hopefully it helps you to achieve what you're going for. Have a scrappin' great day! :-)

[lorac]

No I never did figure it out. I gave up on it, and have not even thought about it until you just mentioned it. Someday I'll give it another try. Right now I'm in the midst of trying to the okay about the co-op my sister and I are buying. Lots of stress. Stopped packing for the moment, as the seller is giving us problems. It should all be worked out this week. Say a little prayer for us.

[Heatheranne]

I'll most definately have you in my thoughts and prayers for a quick resolution. I saw that you mentioned about the apartment quite some time ago, so thought that you had it all done. I'm sorry that you are having problems and do hope that it all works out quickly.

I'm sure that you'll have fun with the drop shadows when you get a chance to play with them. Have a great day! :-)

[HisThao]

Carol, I'm sorry this has been so difficult to figure out. It seems like Heatheranne has given you some great tips--thanks, Heatheranne! I just don't have PSE 9 to even tell you where to start.