How to Apply a Drop Shadow in CorelDRAW

Adding a drop shadow in CorelDRAW is an effective way to give vector shapes, text, and imported bitmaps depth and a three-dimensional appearance. This guide walks you through the step-by-step process of using the Drop Shadow tool, customizing shadow parameters via the Property Bar, and managing or removing the effect once applied.

Step 1: Select Your Object

Open your project in CorelDRAW and use the Pick tool to select the object, group of objects, or text string to which you want to apply the shadow.

Step 2: Activate the Drop Shadow Tool

  1. Navigate to the Toolbox on the left side of the workspace.
  2. Locate the Shadow tool flyout (grouped with tools like Blend, Contour, or Extrude).
  3. Click and hold the flyout, then select the Drop Shadow tool.

Step 3: Apply the Shadow

You can create a shadow either manually or by using predefined settings:

  • Manual Method: Click on the center or edge of the selected object and drag outward in the direction you want the shadow to fall. Release the mouse button to establish the shadow's offset and angle.
  • Preset Method: Go to the Property Bar at the top of the screen, open the Preset dropdown menu, and select a style such as Flat Top Right, Perspective Bottom Left, or Large Glow.

Step 4: Customize the Shadow Settings

Once applied, use the controls on the Property Bar to fine-tune the effect:

  • Shadow Color: Click the color swatch to change the shadow from the default black to any custom color.
  • Shadow Opacity: Adjust the slider to determine how transparent or solid the shadow appears.
  • Shadow Feathering: Control the softness or blur of the shadow edges. A higher value produces a softer, more dispersed blur.
  • Feathering Direction: Choose how the blur spreads (Inside, Outside, Average, or Linear).
  • Shadow Angle and Offset: Change the interactive control line directly on the canvas to alter the light source angle and distance from the object.

How to Remove or Separate a Drop Shadow

  • To remove: Select the object with the Drop Shadow tool active and click the Clear Shadow button on the Property Bar.
  • To separate: If you need to edit the shadow as an independent element, right-click the shadow and select Break Drop Shadow Apart (or press Ctrl + K). This splits the shadow into a standalone bitmap object.