Create a simple realistic shadow effect

[Harvey Sewdin]

This is how I create a ‘reallife positioned’ shadow for objects. Usually you have to use the brush tool, but this trick is easier. Follow these 5 steps.




STEP 1
Prepare yourself. Place the object you want to give a shadow to in your document. I used this scrap monitor.




STEP2
Go to blending options(right click on the object layer and select blending options in the list), and apply a standard drop shadow effect.



STEP 3
Now we have to separate the object and the drop shadow effect of each other. To do that right click on the “fx” logo on your object layer and select create layer



This is how it should look like when done







STEP 4
Select the created shadow layer, right click on it and select free transform path. Resize the height a bit to half of the object.

Right click on the transformation and select perspective. And resize it as shown in the image below.





STEP 5
Almost done! Select the shadow layer and go to Filter>Blur>Gaussian blur. Change the radius pixels to how much you want. I used 6.5.





DONE! Here you have a nice dropshadow! I hope this tut has helped you.