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How to add realistic 3D shadows to images and web graphics tutorial.

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Handy Tip : Using drop shadow filters on images gives them a good 3D effect but for authentic looking shadows to images the method below will render your graphics with a much more realistic look.


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fig 1How to add 3D shadows to images and graphics tutorial

Adding 3D effects to images is fairly easy utilizing the power of Paint Shop Pro and it's built in filters.

Here is a simple way to add a 3D shadow to an image that makes it look much more realistic than the drop shadowing techniques.

STEP 1

Open the image you want to shadow.

STEP 2

Select the Freehand Lasso Tool and draw around the image using the point to point style.

STEP 3

Make a Paint Brush of the selected image. (See full tutorial Making Custom Paint Brushes here.)

STEP 4

While the image is selected, click on Selections || Modify || Contract

Contract the selection by 1 pixel to clear the edges of the image of any background color.

Copy the selection to your clipboard. Ctrl + C

Deselect the image. Selections || Select None

STEP 5

Paste the image on your clipboard, over the original image, as a New Layer. Move into place with the Mover Tool to cover the original image if required.

Edit || Paste || As New Layer

STEP 6

Add a New Layer

Layers || Add New Raster Layer

STEP 7

Click on the Paint Brush Tool. Click the Toggle Tool Options Window. Click on Brush Types. Select Custom and choose your Custom Paint Brush Type that you made. (See full tutorial on using Paint Brushes here)

fig 2STEP 8

Set the Foreground & Background colors to black. Adjust the size to suit your image and set the opacity to 100.

Click on the image to place a copy on the canvas. You may have to click a few times to make a solid replica.

 

fig 3STEP 9

Click on Effects || Geometric Effects || Skew

Adjust Horizontal to set the angle of the shadow to your choice. Set Vertical to 0 or as required.

Use the Mover Tool to shift the shadow image into position.


fig 4STEP 10

Click on the Toggle Layer Palette.

Drag layer 2 (the shadow image) below layer 1.

(Click on the layer 2 box and hold the mouse button. Drag the mouse down to where the layer 1 is and release the mouse button.) You should now have the layers aligned as in the figure above. This is to place the shadow image underneath the pic.

STEP 11

Merge All Layers and Save As.

 

 

 
 
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