drop shadow??

[karloff]

Hi,

can anyone give me a link or some directions to how you create the drop shadow effect

like the one used for the container at happy cog

I can create the gradient effect but i'm not sure how you get 2 images to be lined up in the centtred and used as 1 images.

I'm sure this is probably really basic but i can't find a tutorial that tell me how to do what i want to achieve. The 1's i find seemed to be for an older version of photoshop or its to do about text drop shadows.

any help would be excellent

[Legacy_Staff]

What software are you using?
It's pretty simple in Photoshop 8 (CS) and Fireworks.
Just add a layer style to the layer you want to have the drop shadow.

EDIT:
If you mean the effect of the shadow on the main content panel, this is not drop shadow.
It's a gradient effect, either side of the panel, in opposing directions.
The whole image is then sliced into 2 main sections, each having the same width.
The banner forms a Nav bar and is positioned at the top of the page.
A slice of the empty main section (1 pixel high) is then placed on the background.
Both are centralised using CSS and the background image is set to repeat so the page appears to lengthen automatically, regardless of the amount of content.
Doing this can create positioning problems which you may need to work-around for a smooth transition.

[karloff]

i'm using CS2.

yeh the gradient thang which is used for the body background. I know how to implement this CSS but i have no idea how to create the image in photoshop. I can create the gradient but not sure how you then set them centralised.

[Legacy_Staff]

Okay, now I don't understand what you're trying to do.
Bit more explanation, pls.

[karloff]

sorry, i'll try make a bit more sence

I want to make an image like the one (at happy cog) which creates the big shadow effect all down the page. I understand that this is some sort of gradient effect but unsure of how you go about making an image with the gradient effect on the left and right hand side of the image. (not sure if that makes sence )

could you tell me how i go about creating the shadow image that is used for happy cog?

sorry if i'm still sounding dumb , cheers 4 the help tho

[Legacy_Staff]

Okay, I got ya now:-
I'm assuming you have a new image open.
Create a new layer and fill it (or whatever solid colour).
Then, with the layer active (highlighted) press <'ctrl' + 'T'> and resize the width to however wide you want the gradient to be.
Click the move tool and you will be asked to apply the resize.
Apply it.
You now have a white column.
Press 'ctrl' and click the column layer.
You will see a selection appear all around the column.
Select the gradient tool and choose the gradient you want to apply.
Hold the 'shift' key and drag the gradient across the width of the column.
Do this until you are happy with the gradient.
Then deselect the layer by pressing <'ctrl' + 'D'>
Duplicate the layer by dragging it over the 'add new layer' button.
You will now have two columns (you will only see one as the new one is covering the original).
Making sure the duplicate layer is now active, select "Edit / Transform / Flip Horizontal".
Now move one column to the laft of the stage, and the other to the right.
Because you are using a gradient, it's hard to see the extremities on the edge of the stage so I usually move them inside the edge of the stage to make sure it's all on.
Now make a new layer and create you content panel.

And 'Robert' is now your Mother's Brother.

[karloff]

cheers dude

[Legacy_Staff]

Welcome m8.
(Took me a while to figure out how it was done too, seems easy now huh? )