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nymalexis

nymalexis

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Dec 15, 2013
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I'm using PSE 11, and because of the MOC challenges, I'm starting to want to play more than usual with my shadows. I found a tutorial for separating the shadow to it's own layer.

While I was playing with it, I realized that when you have the effects menu up, you can click on and drag the shadow around completely independently of the layer it's attached to. I've never even thought to click on the shadow while that menu was up before. I didn't even think to this time...I did it by accident!

Did you know you could do that? I love when I stumble upon new things like this.
 
That's the same way I found that out in Photoshop a few years ago.... that's the best way to learn stuff, I think!!
 
I am a big believer in button pushing just to see what happens...can you right click on the actual shadow? and see if create layer pops up? not sure what versions it can? if it can, you can go flat out insane with shadows then too...
if it can't...
just make another layer of element and darken completely with hues, and play with blur, gaussean in your filter pull down...oh my...the fun you can have with shadows...
Peter Pan stuff! lol
 
I didn't know I could drag the shadow around so that's awesome, learn something new every day! Anne, I can't right click to separate the shadow. I don't think that's an option anywhere in PSE (yet... though I only have 11)... One of the many reasons I can't wait to get my hands on the full Photoshop, oh the amazing things I've seen done in PS that I haven't figured out how to replicate in PSE (without taking an hour that is)!
 
er ... nymalexis ... can I trouble you to do a print-screen of that "effects menu"?

I'm using PSE11 too. I knew & learned abt the independent-shadow from OLB's blog. But I find it too troublesome & too many layers. So I stopped using it. But I had KIV it for future reference.
 
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Oh how fun to experiment with your program! Good on you :D
 
Any chance you could link up to the tutorial you found that allows you to separate the shadow to it's own layer?

This is awesome that PSE is closing the gap so much between PSE and PS for scrappers! I love it!
 
that's awesome that you are learning new things in the program!! there's definitely lots to be learned!!
i LOVE to do shadows on separate layers. I'd say I do my shadows that way 95% of the time!! so glad you found the way to do this that clicks for you! it will totally change your scrapping!! :)
 
nymalexis said:
I'm using PSE 11, and because of the MOC challenges, I'm starting to want to play more than usual with my shadows. I found a tutorial for separating the shadow to it's own layer.

While I was playing with it, I realized that when you have the effects menu up, you can click on and drag the shadow around completely independently of the layer it's attached to. I've never even thought to click on the shadow while that menu was up before. I didn't even think to this time...I did it by accident!

Did you know you could do that? I love when I stumble upon new things like this.
Click to expand...

I use PSE 11, too, and have been trying to do this since I read this post and I can't seem to figure out how you did this. Did you have to hold a button down at the same time?
 
carrie1977 said:
I use PSE 11, too, and have been trying to do this since I read this post and I can't seem to figure out how you did this. Did you have to hold a button down at the same time?
Click to expand...

After you apply the shadow, double click the fx button on the layer. It brings up the fx menu. While that menu is up, you can drag the shadow of that layer around
 
Yep, that's how I found out... I was like "where on earth is my shadow going?" LOL!!!
 
nymalexis said:
After you apply the shadow, double click the fx button on the layer. It brings up the fx menu. While that menu is up, you can drag the shadow of that layer around
Click to expand...
Holy crap !!! I didn't realize you mean to LITERALLY move the shadow on the page itself until I tried it and WHAM BAMP BALABOOM !!!! The shadow moves !!!! GOSH !!! A Miacle, I tell you !! A. MIRALE !!!!

Thanks for sharing this tip !! This is so gonna be good manz !!!

Now ... does anybody knows how to warp the shadow in PSE? I know in PS, the warping allows the shadows to have curves. But it is not allowed in PSE.
 
purlz76 said:
Now ... does anybody knows how to warp the shadow in PSE? I know in PS, the warping allows the shadows to have curves. But it is not allowed in PSE.
Click to expand...

No, I hope there is a way to do it but I haven't had time to try to figure it out yet. For the time being, I've just been separating the shadow to its own layer (by dragging it away from the item while the fx menu is up, simplifying the layer, using the magic select tool to select the shadow, and selecting new layer via cut). Then I duplicate the shadow so I can move parts of it in different directions. I use the eraser to get rid of parts of the shadow i don't want duplicated.
 
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I had searched in PS website & youtube but also find nothing on PSE shadow warping.

I had managed to do the "magic select tool" + "layer via cut". I find that this is not necessary since I can move the shadows via that "fx menu" = add depth. Cos after cutting, there's the big hole in the middle which defeats the purpose altogether. Nevertheless, thanks for sharing :)
 
purlz76 said:
Cos after cutting, there's the big hole in the middle which defeats the purpose altogether. Nevertheless, thanks for sharing :)
Click to expand...

Why is there a hole in the middle? Are you dragging the shadow away from the object so it's not touching the object anymore before you simplify?
 
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