whats the best way to drop shadows in vinyl?

[Nicola McIntosh]

hi caroline what software are you using just now? 😀

nik

[Hugh Potter]

hi Caroline,

best way i’ve found to do this,

make a copy of your original word, add a contour outline of x mm, then seperate, move the text away, , weld the contoured area to the original word, and crop the original text, delete the contour, leaving just a shadow, replace the original ‘copied word’, and hey presto, a word, with the shadow.

Hugh

ps, using corel.

[Robert Lambie]

i use signlab and this is a very simple process. what you say is correct, but once each layer is in situation you would want to "weld/chop" the layers to create a single layer but in two colours.
by that i mean… the top layer should be cut as you see it but the bottom layer you only want to cut what you "can see".
if you dont you will basically cut the same text twice and overlay. the trouble is you will see a ghosting impression of the layer below the top layer and it looks pretty naff… 😕

corel, vinyl master pro, signlab, flexisign, signgo etc etc all can do this… all various prices though… the more expensive signlab and flexi come in modules so you only buy at a price for what you need it to be able to do.

hope that made sense? 😕

[Peter Normington]

Caroline,
It would be ok to do it as you describe, but you would get a line between the 2 layers of vinl.
The better way is to to weld(or combine) the bottom ant top layers together, so the text and shadow is one piece(one colour) and then overlay the original text.
You do not need any "special" software, corel or most vector software will allow you to do this.
There is a an old topic about shadows, I will try and find it for you.

Found this

http://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … ate+shadow

Peter

[Caroline Ingram]

Thanks Peter,

I am like a big child with a new toy that someone has shown me how to use.

I followed the instructions on the link you gave and it worked perfect. I can now start practicing on my own signs before I unleash myself onto the world.

Nicola, I am using Magi-cut. I don’t have the money yet to invest in Sign Lab, but I’m getting there.

Thanks

Rgds

Caroline

[Nicola McIntosh]

no worries caroline…..hope you get working into the package that suits you…..we all had to start somewhere 😉

nik

[Jill Marie Welsh]

Another shadow tip I can offer is to make the drop shadow just a bit darker than the substrate to which it will be applied.

Example of what not to do:
Blue drop shadows on red (try burgundy)
Yellow or white drop shadows on a dark background
Orange drop shadows on green
Red lettering with heavy black shadows lacks contrast and blurs at a distance.
I have seen some of the ugliest shadow colors used.
I prefer a natural look….like light grey against white.

Script is usually shaded to the right.
I typically put drop shadows down and to the left.
I’ve noticed on my trips to the UK that most are down and to the right.
Always make the shadow have the same light source as any highlight, and make all shadows going to the same direction.
And don’t shadow every element.

I know it sounds like simple advice, but now that you know how to make them properly, colors and direction are also important.
Love…..Jill

[graham stewart]

Thank you Jill, Very help full stuff for us new to the sign trade.
Thanks again
Graham

[Caroline Ingram]

Hi Jill,

That is good information, any and all pearls of wisdom would be appreciated.

Rgds

Caroline