Exercise #1

The Secret of Drop Shadows
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Here are the steps to creating a DROP SHADOW:

1. CREATE an object
   Draw a circle on the stage using the OVAL TOOL.
   
   
   
2. SELECT the object
   Double click on the circle with the arrow tool to select the entire object.
   
   
   
3. DUPLICATE the oval
   Hold down the left mouse button while selecting the oval. Drag the oval and hold down the ALT KEY. Release the mouse button when the oval is in position. Then release the ALT key
   
   
   
4. Convert LINES to FILLS
   To create the drop shadow the stroke will have to be deleted or converted to a fill. For this exercise we will convert the line to a fill. With the duplicate object still selected select MODIFY / SHAPE / CONVERT LINES TO FILLS.
   
   
   
5. FILL the object with a shadow color
   With the duplicate oval still selected choose a light grey color from the FILL palette.
   
   
   
6. Soften the FILL EDGES
   Here's the point where the edges of the shadow oval are softened to simulate a shadow. Select MODIFY / SHAPE / SOFTEN FILL EDGES.
   
   
   
7. DISTANCE and STEPS.
   Enter 10 as the NUMBER of STEPS and 10 as the DISTANCE.
   
   
   
8. Group the oval and the oval shadow
   With the oval still active select CTRL + G on the keyboard to group the object. Double click the original oval and select CTRL + G.
   
   
   
9. Position the oval over the shadow.
   Drag the oval over the shadow. If the oval appears behind the shadow you will need to change the object hierarchy. With the oval selected hold down the CTRL + ALT and press the down arrow on the keyboard.