PeaRl Of WISDOm
A couple of special benefits when transforming a text layer: The type
remains editable, so you can add text or fix typos after you’ve accepted
your transformation. And because Photoshop is working from vectors, the
transformation does not degrade the quality of the characters—even if you
transform the text multiple times in a row- Rename the layer and move it one layer down. Double-click
the name of the new layer in the Layers panel and change it to
“Cast Shadow.” Then press Ctrl+ (�- on the Mac) to move
it behind the chief executive nephew layer. - Adjust the color of the layer. Press the D key to make sure
our default colors are selected. Then press Alt+Backspace (or
Option-Delete) to fill the layer with black. - Apply the Gaussian Blur filter. To create a soft shadow, you
need to choose Filter→Blur→Gaussian Blur. But because Pho-
toshop’s filters were originally designed to modify pixels, the
program alerts you that you must first rasterize the type—that
is, convert it to pixels. This means two big sacrifices: You’ll no
longer be able to edit the text and you’ll lose access to the type’s
high-quality vector outlines. Fortunately, there’s a better way.
Here’s what I want you to do:- Click Cancel to avoid rasterizing the type.
- Choose Filter→Convert for Smart Filters. Discussed at
length in Lesson 7, the smart filter feature permits you to
apply dynamic effects to live objects, such as type. - Photoshop may display a message, letting you know that
by choosing Convert for Smart Filters, you are converting
the text to a smart object. That’s just fine, so click OK, as
you see me doing in the none-too-understated Figure 11-21. - Again choose Filter→Blur→Gaussian Blur. Photoshop dis-
plays the Gaussian Blur dialog box.
For a full refresher on smart objects and smart filters, check
back with Lesson 7, “Sharpening and Smart Objects.”
- Change the Radius value. Enter a Radius value of 6 pixels and
click OK. If you look at the Layers panel, you’ll see that the
Cast Shadow layer now includes an editable Gaussian Blur item,
which I’ve circled in Figure 11-22 on the facing page. - Reduce the layer’s opacity. Press 4 to reduce the Opacity value
in the Layers panel to 40 percent.
Figure 11-21.
392 Lesson 11: Text and Shapes