Illustrator CS3 Solid Drop Shadow

[joely]

Hello,

I want to add a Solid Black Drop Shadow - similar to the image attached - to a vector image in Illustrator CS3 and would like to know how to go about it.

It would be greatly appreciated if someone could give me a quick run down on how to achieve this effect.

Merry Christmas!

Thanking you in advance,
Joely.

 

[jerryrock]

In Illustrator, Effect/Stylize/Drop Shadow - Mode=Normal, Opacity=100%, Blur= 0, adjust X,Y offsets to your liking.

 

[JasonElise1983]

that's not going to get him the effect in the example. the example has a lot of perspective on the shadow, like it's not really a shadow as much as it's a the bottom of the 3D text. If you want that effect, you'll have to draw it. I would duplicate your vector image, shrink it down to your liking, and send it to the back. Then draw a line from the bottom-left corner of the back object to the bottom-left corner of the top object, and close that in a trianglar shape so that it connects to the side of the back object. Repeat for right-side. Then, when it's right, select everything you just created, including the original back object, and select combine. Fill: black, and you are done. Sorry, i know that sounds complicated...but it's really easy.

-JE

 

[ac6789]

Another way is to use Illustrators 3D effects (extrude/bevel) under Effect --> 3D--> Extrude/Bevel. It also has a "perspective" setting.

This will produce a similar "attached" shadow.

 

[Jim Campbell]

Sorry, i know that sounds complicated...but it's really easy.

I would suggest that using this feature is easier!

(Yes, I know it's a different font.)

Text to Outlines; Pathfinder -> Unite; Effects -> 3D -> Extrude & Bevel

Tick the Preview box as shown.

Rotate only in the axis shown and then tweak the Perspective and Extrude Depth sliders until you're happy with the result ... Click OK.

Cheers!

Jim

 

[Jim Campbell]

Another way is to use Illustrators 3D effects (extrude/bevel) under Effect --> 3D--> Extrude/Bevel. It also has a "perspective" setting.

This will produce a similar "attached" shadow.

Great minds ...

Cheers!

Jim

 

[wcalderini]

One more thing...

After you get it to that point, and you want to manipulate it on a finer scale,
go to your 'Object" menu and select "Expand Appearance".
This turns it completely vector and you don't have that annoying "original type" artifact when you select it.
It's better for manipulating different aspects of your type.
Say if you wanted to color and stroke each character differently.

Hope this helps.

WRC

 

[Jim Campbell]

After you get it to that point, and you want to manipulate it on a finer scale,
go to your 'Object" menu and select "Expand Appearance".

Note that this is not necessary if you turn the text into outlines first as suggested in my first post ...

Cheers

Jim

 

[wcalderini]

Note that this is not necessary if you turn the text into outlines first as suggested in my first post ...

Cheers

Jim

True. But I have always had a problem with it leaving the "original" type outlines when it comes to moving and re-sizing.
The only way I figured out to get it set as a "true" object
(One that keeps it's appearance and shape in scaling and rotating)
was to use the "expand appearance" setting.
The basic "3D" setting also kinds of locks you into whatever "stroke" color you are using as your drop shadow color.
After you expand, and ungroup about 10 times (LOL), you are able to select
each component individually.

IMO it just gives you a finer degree of adjustment capabilities.

WRC

 

[Jim Campbell]

IMO it just gives you a finer degree of adjustment capabilities.

Horses. Courses. Perhaps the OP can try it both ways and see which one they prefer.*

Cheers!

Jim

*Sound advice for so many things besides Illustrator effects.