Adding a drop shadow effect to text, images, or objects can improve the look and feel of your image or video footage. Shadows add depth, dimension, and excitement when done correctly. They are also a good place to start if you are an After Effects beginner.
In this After Effects tutorial, you will learn how to create drop shadow effects and explore some of the settings you can play with to create your desired look.
What is a Drop Shadow Effect?
A drop shadow effect is a visual effect that gives the impression that an object or text is raised above a surface and is producing a shadow. They are usually decorative in nature and do not necessarily have to be realistic. They are frequently used in logos and digital buttons. The color, placement, and intensity of the drop shadow can be adjusted to create the effect you want to achieve.
How to Create A Drop Shadow Effect in After Effects
The Drop Shadow effect is one of the most common and easiest effects in After Effects. It is a quick method of projecting a shadow behind the text, image, or object in your scene.
There are two main methods to create drop shadow effects.
Drop Shadow Effect Method
- Create a new composition.
- Click on the “T” text function and type the text you want.
- Open the Effects & Presets panel using either Command+5 on a Mac or Ctrl+5 on a PC.
- Type “Drop Shadow” in the search field.
- Drag the Drop Shadow effect onto your timeline layer or directly onto the composition scene.
- Alternatively, you can navigate to the Effect tab and choose Perspective > Drop Shadow.
- You should then see a drop shadow behind the text.
Within the drop shadow preset function, you can adjust some of the properties including:
- Color: Change the color of the shadow.
- Direction: The angle of the shadow.
- Opacity: How dark or light the shadow is.
- Distance: How far the shadow is from the original text.
- Shadow Only: Only shows the shadow text.
- Softness: Blurs or sharpens the shadow.
You can animate your shadow. Select the text layer and then click through the arrows of the Drop Shadow to animate each property. Just set the keyframes for where you want the animation to begin and end.
Drop Shadow Layer Styles Method
The second method to create a drop shadow is to use the Layers Styles menu. This method includes more property adjustments than the first method.
Follow these steps:
- Create a new composition.
- Click on the “T” text function and type the text you want.
- Select the Layer tab and then navigate to Layer Styles > Drop Shadow.
From this menu, you can make even more adjustments from the following options:
- Blend Mode: You can choose which blending mode you want for your shadow, such as Linear Burn or Multiply.
- Noise Shadow: This setting adds “noise” to your shadow and can make it look grittier.
- Use Global Light: This setting ensures the light sources for all objects correspond and that the shadows align.
- Layer Knocks Out Drop Shadow: This setting applies to transparent text or objects. It either stops the shadow or allows it to be seen through the object.
- Size Shadow: You can adjust the size of the shadow with this setting.
- Angle: Use this setting to adjust the angle of the shadow.
- Spread: With this setting, you can make the shadow spread wider than the original object.
What are the Different Types of Drop Shadow Effects?
You can apply a drop shadow to any type of object in After Effects, whether it is text, an image, or an object. The program will automatically create a shadow effect with the same outline as the primary object.
In addition to the drop shadow effect, there are numerous other types of shadow effects you can use in After Effects. Some common options include:
- Inner Shadow: This makes the shadow appear within the shape instead of behind it. You can access it from the Layer Styles menu.
- Long Shadow: A long shadow is a stretched shadow that appears to stretch infinitely. It can add depth to 2D text and objects.
- Cast Shadow: Cast shadows are supposed to look like realistic shadows and often project off of other layers, like floors and walls.
- Radial Shadow: A radial shadow creates a shadow from a single light source as opposed to an infinite light source like a drop shadow. The color of the original layer will affect the color of the shadow. You can find this setting in the Effects & Presets menu.
- Directional Blur Shadow: With this setting, you can control which direction you want the shadow to fall and how blurry you want it to look.
What are Some Examples of the Drop Shadow Effect in Use?
Drop shadows are something you likely see every day. While their use has gone in and out of style in graphic design, they exist in logos and graphics all around you. We will highlight some examples of good drop shadows.
- The Netflix logo animation from 2013 had a long, drop shadow.
- Google’s earlier logos from 1998 to 2010 featured drop shadows. In 2010, the logo used only inner shadows, while the current logo has no shadows at all.
- The current Lysol logo has a 3D look with its incorporated drop shadow effect.
- The Marvel Studios opening animation features some stylistic shadows that make the logo appear 3D.
- The book cover for The Shadow of the Wind features a creative use of cast shadows.
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