How to create easily a cast shadow effect?

[Claudine]

Hello,

Yes, how to create easily a cast shadow effect in ArtRage 3 or 5?

Thank you for your ideas and help :)

[DarkOwnt]

For somewhat 2D type shadows:

1. Ensure the "object" layer of what you want to cast the shadows is in a separate layer on top and that your ground or whatever you want the shadows on is on a layer at the bottom.
2. Duplicate the "object layer" to create a shadow layer and place it below the object layer.
3. Adjust the shadow layer so that it is in grey scale and perhaps dark, you can also blur that layer.Note, make the shadow layer "white" everywhere you don't specifically want a cast shadow.
4. Make the blend mode of the shadow layer "Multiply", adjust the opacity of the layer to taste.

To make 3D type shadows you can break your scene into 3 layers, (or more). The idea is to have the objects casting the shadows on the top layers, and whatever the shadows are cast on at the bottom layers, with the shadow layers in the middle. You can also have a separate layer for each object and a separate layer for its shadow, and you can order the layers so that objects can cast shadows on other objects.
As with the example above, use the middle shadow layers using "multiply" and using greys or blacks for the shaded areas and white for places with no shadow. You can also experiment with colors in your shadow layer to get some interesting effects.

[Claudine]

Thank you very much DarkOwnt. Your answer is very clear and precise.

I think a new tool for ArtRage would be interesting to know how to work with shadows. Something like the tool scrapbooking softwares use to place and adjust automatically shadows.

[whitebbwolf]

I use the option from the layer menu: create new stencil from layer content, and use that on another layer below, fill in and use Edit:Filters:Blurr

[Claudine]

Excellent idea, thank you whitebbwolf ! In a second phase, I can always move my layer.

[DaveRage]

ArtRage 5 has layer effects which include shadows

Open the layer panel and click the menu button to the right of the layer you want to add the shadow to
Choose 'layer effects'
Choose 'shadow' and then check the 'effect active' box
A shadow will now be added to that layer.
You can change the shadow size, colour, direction and so on in the same panel.

[Claudine]

That's incredible, a real present for I really need it. I must confess it would be useful to have a user guide in English and French to know better AR 5..

Thank you for your help !:)