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Adobe InDesign CS2

Adding Drop Shadows

Adobe InDesign CS2 allows you to add shadows to an object, giving it a three-dimensional appearance. Specifying the horizontal or vertical placement of the shadow are among some of the options you can choose from.

• Adding a Drop Shadow
• Removing a Drop Shadow

Adding a Drop Shadow

Adding drop shadows can give your images a finished look, and add interest to your document.

NOTE: If you are adding a drop shadow to a text frame, you must first add fill and stroke to the text frame. For more information, please refer to Adding Fill and Stroke to Objects.

1. Using the Selection Tool, select the object you want to apply a drop shadow to

2. From the Object menu, select Drop Shadow...
   The Drop Shadow dialog box appears.
   

3. Select Drop Shadow
   The drop shadow controls become active.

4. From the Mode drop-down menu, select a blending mode
   NOTE: The default mode is Multiply.

5. From the Opacity text box, type the desired percent of transparency
   OR
   Adjust the Opacity slider bar until you reach the desired opacity setting

6. To adjust the depth of the drop shadow, in the X Offset and Y Offset text boxes, type a value
   HINTS:
   Positive X offset values move the shadow right, negative values move the shadow left.
   Positive Y offset values move the shadow down, negative values move the shadow up.

7. In the Blur text box, type the distance from the edge of the shadow where you want the blur to occur
   HINT: The larger the value, the more blurred the shadow.

8. To select the color of the shadow using color swatches
   1. From the Color pull-down list, select Swatches
   2. Select the desired color
   To specify a color using a color mode
   1. From the Color pull-down list, select a color mode (e.g., CMYK or RGB)

   2. Drag the slide bars until the desired color is reached
      NOTES:
      Different color modes can offer additional options for the drop shadow.
      Color modes in InDesign are most important for professional printing. If you are having your document professionally printed, check with your printer to see which color mode will work best.

9. To see the drop shadow before applying it, select Preview
   NOTE: A checkmark appears if it is selected.

10. Click OK
    The drop shadow is applied to the image.

Removing a Drop Shadow

If you decide a drop shadow is unneeded on an object, you can remove it.

1. Using the Selection Tool, select the object you want to remove the drop shadow from

2. From the Object menu, select Drop Shadow...
   The Drop Shadow dialog box appears.

3. Deselect the Drop Shadow checkbox

4. Click OK
   The shadow is removed from the object.