Perspective Shadow

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Is is possible to create a Perspective shadow (not a glow, or drop shadow) with Photoshop CS? If yes, can the angle of the perspective shadow be changed without distorting the original image? This is easily done in Corel Photo Paint 9 but I prefer to use Photoshop now. Thank you.

[Ho]

Assuming the object to receive the shadow is on its own layer, surrounded by transparency:

Duplicate the layer and name it Shadow

Load the Shadow layer's transparency as a selection (cntrl-click on the layer in Layers Palette)

Fill with black or your preferred shadow color (alt-bkspace to fill with foreground color)

Deselect (cntrl-d)

Gaussian blur to suit

Move the Shadow layer under the original in the layer stack

Change blending mode to multiply and set opacity to suit

With the Shadow layer active, press cntrl-t to activate Free Transform. Drag the corner and midpoint boxes of the bounding box to create the perspective. Holding down the cntrl key, cntrl-alt or cntrl-alt-shift while dragging will allow you different ways of altering the Shadow layer.

As always, the usual disclaimers apply for any step-by-steps written before the first cup of coffee.

[Ho]

32 minute EDIT: There is also a Cast Shadow action in the default set. If you do a lot of this sort of thing, it might be a good idea to record an action of your own to handle the grunt work.

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Make a drop shadow the normal way with the properties you want.

Right click on the drop shadow's own layer.

Select "Create Layer": this will put the shadow on a new layer.

You can now transform, move and modify this layer to your heart's desire.

Cheers - John

[g***@adobeforums.com]

[Ho]

Oh, sure John, show her the easy way... Next thing you know, you'll be encouraging people to throw away their hammers and chisels and switch to pencils and writing paper.

[J***@adobeforums.com]

Whoops - sorry about that!

By the way, I forgot to say you can add a layer mask to the new layer and, with an appropriately aligned gradient fill, make the shadow fade into the distance as they do in real life.

Cheers - John