shadows

tiannaidan · Post by **tiannaidan** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:23 pm

I am used to using flash where creating a shadow on an object or character is easy.Not a shadow cast from another object by the shadow created on an object from a light source.If this doesn't make sense I can create a quick example in flash to show what I mean.Don't see anything in the basic tutorials on how to do this.

slowtiger · Post by **slowtiger** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:45 pm

There's a basic drop shadow setting available for each layer, double-click the layer and see the tab "shadow".

If you need something more elaborate, like a shadow cast in perspective on the ground, the basic approach would be like this: after finishing the animation of a character, duplicate its root layer and make it the shadow. An easy way to do this without re-colouring all elements uses the character as a mask and an additional layer with just one flat black rectangle.

tiannaidan · Post by **tiannaidan** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:52 pm

I was afraid I was explaining clearly.I made a simple example in flash showing the type of shadowing I am looking for.I don't see a way to attach my sample to this reply though.This is easy in flash but the process of drawing is a little different in AS.Maybe I am overlooking it.

mkelley · Post by **mkelley** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:57 pm

You're talking about shading, right? Where a light would put a shading effect on an object.

There is a shading control in each layer, and you can adjust where the light is coming from and some other details. It's not great, but it's something. Just doubleclick the layer and go to the shadows tab and checkmark shading.

tiannaidan · Post by **tiannaidan** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:25 pm

Yeah thanks,I should have said shading not shadows.My bad! I'll try that.I've only had AS a short time and it is different from what I am used to.The basic manual or tutorials with it is a little TOO basic.That's why I've been surfing for help.

shadows

shadows

example shadow

shading