MS Word Drawing & Graphics

[LJV]

Hello,

I am using Word 2003 with Windows XP sevice pack 2 installed. My question
is basically dealing with Shadow effects in conjuntion with background
transparencies. I will do my best to explain what my question is.

I have a smaller autoshape on top of another larger autoshape that has a
background pattern. For the smaller autoshape, I have filled it with a solid
color and it has about 25% transparency. Then I added a shadow effect on the
left and bottom edges. The problem is that I can see the silhouette of the
Shadow thru the solid color transparency and I don't like this effect. I
only want the shadow effect to appear on the edges of the shape, but I do
want the solid color transparency at the same time so I can see the
background of the larger shape thru the smaller shape. But the silhouette of
the shadow effect is right there and it ruins the effect I am looking to
achieve. I saw this effect on another graphic and I know it can be done. Is
it just beyond the scope of Word's graphic capabilities? Should I move onto
other applications like Publisher, Adobe, Visio? Or is it lack of knowledge
and skill on my part? I hope this is understandable enough.

Thanks,
LJV

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi LJV,

The 'shadow' is a recolored, borderless copy of the shape. When you use transparency on the shape you see the full outline of the
shape. It can be less noticeable if you also set the shadow to 'semi transparent'

Assuming you're using one of the built in pattern fills one way to possibly recreate the illusion would be to use the same pattern
fill as in the background and use the color choices to 'flavor' the top layer fill, then use slightly less transparency (perhaps
0%-15%) and position or size the smaller item to align with the pattern on the lower item.

Another variation is to create another shape the the smaller one plus the shadow, and color it as the shadow and with
transparencency then send the new 'shadow shape' backwards in the stacking order so that it's behind your smaller shape, and looks
like its 'shadow' then set the original small shape to 'no shadow'.

Using a graphic app that does have layering may help, but transparency is 'see thru" <v>, it's just a matter of what you're 'seeing'


====================
Hello,

I am using Word 2003 with Windows XP sevice pack 2 installed. My question
is basically dealing with Shadow effects in conjuntion with background
transparencies. I will do my best to explain what my question is.

I have a smaller autoshape on top of another larger autoshape that has a
background pattern. For the smaller autoshape, I have filled it with a solid
color and it has about 25% transparency. Then I added a shadow effect on the
left and bottom edges. The problem is that I can see the silhouette of the
Shadow thru the solid color transparency and I don't like this effect. I
only want the shadow effect to appear on the edges of the shape, but I do
want the solid color transparency at the same time so I can see the
background of the larger shape thru the smaller shape. But the silhouette of
the shadow effect is right there and it ruins the effect I am looking to
achieve. I saw this effect on another graphic and I know it can be done. Is
it just beyond the scope of Word's graphic capabilities? Should I move onto
other applications like Publisher, Adobe, Visio? Or is it lack of knowledge
and skill on my part? I hope this is understandable enough.

Thanks,
LJV >>
--

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

 

[LJV]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your great answer. I basically followed your instructions in the
first part of your reply, regarding using the layering techniques and adding
the appropriate fill effects, and it worked great! I achieved the effect I
have been wanting for a while. I haven't tried the second technique you
mentioned yet, but I will just to see how that can work too. I am really new
to all this graphic design stuff so this is really helpful to me.

Two more questions for you if you don't mind as an extension of this topic.
What applications would you recommend to use so you can do all this layering
stuff and have it look even more professional?

And also, I would like to be able to create my own pattern fills and edit
existing ones, what apps would you recommend for this? I have heard that
Visio can do this. Are there others?

Thanks,

LJV