How to use the Block Shadow tool

Block shadow basics

The Block Shadow tool is part of the Effects tool group on the left toolbar. When you select an object, such as the “Sweet” text, the property bar features several settings that control the appearance and behavior of the block shadow. By default, the block shadow color is black.

To create a block shadow, click and drag, using the blue lines to preview size and placement. Release the mouse button to complete the shadow.

The block shadow appears in the Objects docker (or Objects inspector for Mac users) as part of the object to which it was applied.

A block shadow can also be applied to a group of objects, such as the cartoon characters, using the same process as above.

If you change the size, shape, or placement of the object that has a block shadow applied, the block shadow updates accordingly.

A selected block shadow can be removed by clicking the Clear block shadow button on the property bar.

Adjust block shadow depth and direction

When the Block Shadow tool is active and a shadowed object is selected, you can adjust the depth and direction by dragging the vector handle in any direction.

For precise adjustments, type a value in the Depth and Direction fields on the property bar. Note these settings if you want to replicate the same block shadow effect on another object. 

In this example, we set the Depth to 0.4” and Direction to 300, then replicated those settings for the group of cartoon characters and the “Treats” text.

Change the block shadow color

There are a few ways to change the color of the block shadow:

• Click the vector handle, then select a color from the color picker.
• Select a color in the Block shadow color picker on the property bar.
• Drag a color swatch from a color palette to the vector handle.

Adjust the outlines

By default, block shadows are generated from the object outline. So when you apply a shadow to the “Treats” text, whose letters are outlined in light pink, the block shadow effect includes the outline.

A block shadow generated from the outline can be expanded using the Expand block shadow box on the property bar.

Here is an example of a block shadow generated from the object outline and expanded to 0.1”.

When you disable the Generate from object outline button, the outlines remain but the shadow itself applies only to the filled part of each letter.

Remove holes

Depending on your design and the size of the block shadow, you may have holes in some places, such as between the “Tr” and “ts” in this example.

If you prefer a solid block shadow, click the Remove holes button on the property bar. Removing the holes will help to simplify the design for professional printing. Otherwise, removing or keeping the holes is just a matter of your design preference.

Printing and exporting options

The Block Shadow tool offers additional options for printing and exporting.

To set the block shadow to print on top of underlying objects, click the Overprint block shadow button on the property bar.

To trim overlapping areas between the object and its block shadow, click the Simplify button on the property bar.

Try the Block Shadow tool today and see how you can easily add extra depth and dimension to your designs.