Replicate shadow effect in Illustrator/Photoshop

[WebFreedom]

Hi All,

I'm trying to replicate a logo for a client that was created by another designer, and I haven't been able to figure out how to recreate the drop shadow on the type.

Here's the logo:



When I use the Drop Shadow effect in both Photoshop and Illustrator, the shadow always pulls away from the type. I've also tried using the 3D Extrude & Bevel effect in Illustrator, but it always comes out looking much "rougher" than in the image above. (I'm self-taught, so please forgive my ignorance.)

Any ideas? Thanks in advance for any suggestions...

Sam

[dave_100_uk2002]

Hey Sam,

One way you could achieve this effect is to make duplicate the type layer, fill the duplicate layer with black and add a black stoke and send it behind the original type layer.
You can then position into place

[WebFreedom]

Thanks Dave. I tried that, and it doesn't really look the same. Here are the various iterations for comparison:



Any other ideas? Or is it possible that this designer was using a program other than Illustrator or Photoshop, and that's why I can't replicate it?

Thanks,
Sam

[KRB]

Sam, there are several ways to do this.

Briefly this is what I did.

On Outline type,
I used 3D Extrude to get started.
Expand the Appearance, duplicated.
One layer is your front.
One layer is your back shadow.

For the stroke, I used Add New Stroke in the Appearance Panel and dragged it below the Fill. This way, I did not choke the type.
Adjust your stroke sizes so the corners match up.

I also made Graphic Styles so I could quickly apply to other characters.

Hope that helps.

Kathryn

[WebFreedom]

Thanks very much Kathryn. You've obviously replicated this effect perfectly, but I'm sorry to say that I'm still struggling with how to do it myself.

Starting with your first step, I created outlines and then applied the 3D Extrude effect. Here's what I end up with, along with the Extrude settings I used:



My result looks much different than your result, assuming that the first instance of 'SHADOW' in your example is what you ended up with after you applied the 3D Extrude. If you have a moment, could you tell me where I'm going wrong?

Thanks,
Sam

[KRB]

Sam,
Here are the settings I used.
It’s probably off a smidge, just try to keep the characters at 90 degree angle.
The lighting is not as important because later you will be changing it to a solid (black) color.

One tip, I always use a lighter base color and change it later.
Your dark reddish color does not have enough contrast to see the edges very well.

I did not write a step by step tutorial.

After you Expand Appearance of the 3D, duplicate.
On the bottom layer or group, use Pathfinders Add. Fill with black.
On the top layer or group, I only kept the lighter yellowish paths and deleted the other darker shadow colors. Then I used Pathfinder Add.

It you get stuck, just holler.
Other members can also jump in to help.

Kathryn

[WebFreedom]

Thanks again Kathryn. I think (hope?) I'm most of the way there. Here's where I'm at presently:



So the shadow layer is ready to go, and all I have to do is delete the shadow from the front layer, change the fill color, add a stroke, and I should be done. I believe I know how to do all of this...except delete the shadow from the front layer. When I select the front layer, the only paths are the actual shapes of the letters themselves:



Obviously I missed something somewhere. Can you tell me how I go about removing the shadow from this layer?

Thanks again for all your help - I really appreciate it. And thanks in advance to any others with an answer...

Sam

[KRB]

Sam, you are getting there.

Make sure you Expand Appearance on the 3D front layer.

To select just the front and not the shadow on that Front top Layer.
• Make a selection of that light yellow
• (Top menu) Select>Same>Fill Color
• Group
• Delete all of your other (shadow) paths.
Tip: many times I turn the visibility off of other layers or groups so I do not select any unwanted paths that have the same color or such.

Did you really want such wide tracking with your type?
At the end since the type is no longer live, you can manually tighten the spaces between the characters.

Kathryn

Edit: Oh, and thank you so much for your screen shots.
It really helps for members to help YOU better.
Wish more people would go that little extra effort.

[Edited on 3/26/2010 by KRB]

[WebFreedom]

Thanks again, Kathryn. I was able to expand the appearance and select the same fill color, but when I tried to group it I got the following error message:



I've tried ungrouping just this selection, as well as ungrouping the entire word (including the shadow), but it still won't let me group it. I'm using the menu path 'Object -> Group'. Can you steer me in the right direction once again?

Originally posted by KRB
Did you really want such wide tracking with your type?
At the end since the type is no longer live, you can manually tighten the spaces between the characters.

Umm...the spacing is at the direction of my client. They're also consulting with a "friend who's a branding expert", so I'm having to navigate the situation delicately. In the interest of fairness, the spacing is to match it up with the sub-text. I'll post the finished version here to get some feedback, and I'll let them know if the consensus is that it's a disaster.

Originally posted by KRB
Edit: Oh, and thank you so much for your screen shots.
It really helps for members to help YOU better.
Wish more people would go that little extra effort.

Thank you for thanking me, but it seems like the least I can do based on how much you're helping me.

Sam

[KRB]

Sam, without seeing your file, I am not sure why you can’t Ungroup.
The good news is you were able to select the front light yellow.

Try this as a workaround.
• With the front light yellow color selected as shown, Object>Arrange>Bring to the Front.
• In the Layers Panel, move them up and out of the <Group>.
• Trash the <Group> which are all the shadow paths.

The spacing:
I would at least do some adjusting,for example, look at the kerning between the C and R as opposed to the spaces surrounding L’s.
I personally do not care for the loose tracking with this font. The original example shown was not like this.
Maybe show him both ways.
BTW, what is the name of the font?

Glad I can help.

Kathryn


[Edited on 3/27/2010 by KRB]