ACOT Message Board

 Hi everyone...I have been buying kits and just starting to learn about digital scrapping. I've been a traditional paper scrapper/card maker for over 5 yrs but other than printing out some journaling stuff for hybrid scrapping, this digi stuff is new to me. I'm working with photoshop and just learned how to use a clipping mask (that was pretty exciting LOL). What really stumps me is the shadowing. I've used a drop shadow in default settings but don't know if I should do more with it and how.  Do you all use shadows,do you do all pieces, do you do something other than clicking the default shadow in ps? I bet you do...I just don't know what. Can anyone point me to some easy to understand tutorials? Thx for any help.  I just want to say this digi stuff intrigues me and I think I'm hooked LOL

After you add the shadow, in your layers palette you'll see an "f" in a circle.  If you double click this you'll be able to adjust your shadow

Here's a great tut site as well
http://www.digiscrappingtutorials.com/ 

 Anything that would have a shadow in real life, I shadow on my digi lo's. Word art, brush work, overlays, these things wouldn't cast a shadow and should be left alone. (IMO)

You can use the defaults to start with, and then fine tune them. Once you apply the shadow, you can then click on the icon at the right side of the layer. (looks like an F) this brings up a pop up box with settings you can change.

I like to use smaller shadows. So a size of anywhere from 1-8 for small things and 9-14 for larger items. Your distance number is how 'high' off the page you want your item to look. So if you wanted it to look pop dotted you would use a larger distance than say a paper which would be very close to your background paper.

Play with those two settings and see what you like. It takes a little while to get an eye for what looks right.

 Amy & tracey...thx for the info. I saved that digi info site and will read more tonight. I'm going to try a layout using some shadowing...wish me luck

Amy - I just checked out your store and bought the coupon for your store... you have fab stuff! Can't wait to get a code from you and start downloading!

 WElcome - for someone that just started digi scrapping, you sure sound like you know what your doing.  I'm sooooooo  Jealous!!!!!!!