Drop shadow attributes

Drop shadows can be applied to any graphical object in Top/Plan view, including symbols, walls, text, plug-in objects, and sheet layer viewports. The way shadows are cast varies depending on the type of object.

Object

Shadow behavior

Sheet layer viewport with no fill

All objects floating on the background cast shadows, including viewport annotations.

If you want drop shadows on annotations, but you do not want to apply drop shadows to the entire viewport, edit the viewport and apply drop shadows to annotations directly.

Sheet layer viewport with fill

The edge of the viewport casts a shadow, as do any annotations that fall beyond the edge

Grouped objects

Each object in the group casts a shadow

Symbol

2D objects in the symbol cast a single shadow; to create more shadows, edit the 2D component of the symbol, and apply drop shadows to the individual components

Plants and massing models

Plants and massing models have built-in shadow features; if Display Shadow is enabled in the Object Info palette for these objects, an applied drop shadow produces two shadows in plan view

Applying drop shadow attributes

You can apply drop shadows to most objects from the Attributes palette. For styled walls, slabs, roofs, and roof faces, enable drop shadows in the attribute settings for the style that is applied to the object.

To add a drop shadow to an object:

Select the object and select Shadow on the Attributes palette.

To change the drop shadow's color, click in the Drop Shadow Color area and select the desired color; see Applying colors.

Click the Drop Shadow Settings button to open the popover and define the desired settings.

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Use class drop shadow

Uses the drop shadow values set by the class of the currently selected object; see Setting class attributes.

[page units]

Select to set the Offset and Blur to use page units; deselect to use world units

Offset

Enter the distance to offset the shadow from the object

Blur

Enter the extent of the blur applied to the shadow; a zero blur is a “hard” shadow, while a higher number makes the edge more blurred

Angle

Enter the angle of the shadow, measuring the degrees counter-clockwise from the right edge of an object

Attributes00787.png 

Opacity (%)

Set the opacity of the shadow; drag the slider to the left to decrease the opacity, or enter an opacity percentage (0–100) to the right of the slider

dropshadow.png 

Setting class properties

The Attributes palette

 

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