Adding Drop Shadows and Other Effects

  • Published on Dec 17, 2025
  • 1 minute(s) read
  • CG
  • DA
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Timestone Software’s Template Designer includes the ability to add the following effects to template objects:

  • Drop Shadow

  • Outline

  • Outer glow

  • Inner Glow

The effects can be added to any template object, which includes:

  • Image holes

  • Labeled Holes

  • Graphics

  • Text

  • Fill objects

Adding Effects

The user can add an effect to any template object. The object effects give the user live feedback as each parameter is manipulated, meaning the most common approach to applying an effect will be to simply adjust each setting until the effect ‘looks right’. However, it is strongly advised that the user test the effect on finished, printed products to be certain the effect is as desired.

Note

When adding effects to an object on a sizable template, the units are therefore also "abstract". For this reason, it may be difficult to gauge the final appearance of the effect when adjusting each effect parameter. In these and indeed all situations, it is recommended the user test the finished product to ensure the effect displays as expected.

To add an effect to an object

  1. Place the object onto the template in the normal way, or select an existing template object

  2. Select Edit>Object effects>Set or use the Ctrl-E keyboard shortcut to activate the effects window

  3. Turn on the desired effect or effects and manipulate the various settings until satisfied

Settings for drop shadow effect including opacity, distance, angle, and size adjustments.

Figure 1: The effects window

Each effect presents the user with its own set of parameters. Parameters common to all effects include:

  • Opacity

  • Color

  • Size

Other parameters include:

  • Angle, distance, and spread (Drop shadow)

  • Spread (Outer glow)

  • Choke (Inner glow)

Copying an effect

Once an effect has been set, it may be copied and applied to another template object.

To copy and paste an object effect:

  1. Select the object with the effect to be copied

  2. Select Edit>Object effects>Copy or use the Shift+Alt+E keyboard shortcut

  3. Select a new object

  4. Paste the effect by selecting Edit>Object effects>Paste or use the Shift+Ctrl+E keyboard shortcut