How to Cast and Receive Shadows in After Effects

Enabling shadows in Adobe After Effects requires converting your elements into 3D layers, adding a compatible light source, and configuring each layer’s material options to project or catch shadows. This step-by-step guide explains how to properly configure lights, set up shadow-casting objects, and prepare background surfaces to receive realistic shadows in your 3D composition.

1. Enable 3D on Your Layers

Before shadows can exist, the layers must exist in 3D space:

  1. Select the layer you want to cast a shadow (e.g., text, shape, or footage) and the layer meant to catch the shadow (e.g., a background solid or floor plane).
  2. Click the 3D Layer switch (the cube icon) in the Timeline panel for both layers. If the switch is hidden, press F4 to toggle switches and modes.

2. Create and Configure a Light Source

Ambient lights cannot create shadows; you must use a Spot, Point, or Parallel light:

  1. Go to the top menu and select Layer > New > Light (or press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + L on Windows / Cmd + Opt + Shift + L on Mac).
  2. In the Light Settings dialog, set the Light Type to Spot or Point.
  3. Check the box labeled Casts Shadows.
  4. Adjust the Shadow Darkness (typically 100% to start) and Shadow Diffusion (increase this value for softer, blurred edges).
  5. Click OK.
  6. Position the light in front of and above your casting layer using the 3D transform gizmo.

3. Enable Shadow Casting on the Subject Layer

By default, 3D layers do not project shadows:

  1. Select the layer that should create the shadow.
  2. Press A twice rapidly (AA) on your keyboard to reveal the Material Options property group.
  3. Locate Casts Shadows and click the blue text to toggle it from Off to On. (Choosing "Only" will make the layer invisible while still rendering its cast shadow).

4. Enable Shadow Receiving on the Target Layer

The surface behind or beneath your subject must be configured to catch the shadow:

  1. Select the background or floor layer.
  2. Press AA to reveal its Material Options.
  3. Ensure that Accepts Shadows is set to On.
  4. Ensure that Accepts Lights is also set to On (if set to "Off", the layer ignores all lighting calculations, including shadows).

5. Adjust Spatial Separation

If shadows do not appear despite the settings being enabled, verify the physical spacing of the layers:

  1. Switch your composition view from Active Camera to Custom View 1 or Top view.
  2. Ensure there is distance on the Z-axis between the light, the shadow-casting object, and the receiving layer. If the casting layer and receiving layer occupy the exact same Z-position, the shadow will not be visible.