How do I cast shadows behind pictures in Microsoft Digital Image 2006? [Archive]

Digital_Trans

04-12-08, 08:35 PM

I've been using Microsoft Digital Image 2006 but one thing I need to know is how do I cast a shadow behind a picture? I want a shadow in the back drop behind the picture not around it. Here's a couple of pictures to give an example. I also have Creative CS3 Photoshop but that might be to advanced for me.

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3010/vettemag2bk3.jpg http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/9956/aboutpl6.gif

einstein_314

04-16-08, 07:38 PM

I'd just use Photoshop. Here's what to do.

1) Open up the image you want to apply a drop shadow to.
2) The first thing you need to do is make a new layer for the image to be on. By default your image will only have 1 layer called background. Right click on this layer and select "Duplicate Layer..." and give it whatever name you want.
3) Now you will see 2 layers, each containing the image. Select the Background layer (the original one) select all (Ctrl-a) and delete. This background layer will now be whatever color you have selected in the color picker for background color (white is the default).
4) Now that you have 2 layers, you need to make the "canvas" bigger to allow for the drop shadow to be in the picture. Select Image>Canvas Size.... Here you can change the size of the canvas as it's called. Check the Relative check box, change the units to pixels (inches is default) and put 20 in the Width and Height boxes. Also make sure that the center square is selected (in the grid of squares). Click OK.
5) Now you should see your picture with a thick white (or whatever background color) border. You're almost done. Now select the top layer (the image) and right click on it, and select "Blending Options...". Then simply check the Drop Shadow box on the left panel. You can change all the options for it (angle, color, opacity, etc) then click OK. Voila. Picture with drop shadow.

Note: When I say "select the layer" I mean select it in the layers tab.