Shadowing an image

[Susan C.]

Linda--once again I need a little help. I've not been especially happy with the sigs I try to make lately; and now I know why. They are too "flat"; add sparkles, use an ani--but still not right. I went to your tute on "shadowing" an image, as I know this makes the image appear more dimensional. Now, I used text to try and shadow and it did not come out completely correct (thumbnail below) Suspect I have to change parameters or whatever. A link for what I am trying to achieve follows below. Note JC 16 and JC 19; the effects I would like to master. My siggy I am using I made with an image already shadowed, and the alpha was already shadowed as well. Used Animation Shop to put together. Not especially happy with the pink around the kitties, but trying to learn. Do you think I can make great shadowed sigs using AS and Image Magick Studio only? Thank you for your help.

http://signaturesbyjeanne.homestead.com/Cats.html

http://www.rennysniche.com/ (for Alpha)

[Linda]

Susan, yes you can make some lovely shadowed images using Imagemagick. Also in playing around with the coordinates. Let me know if I can be of any help. I haven't been on the computer much the last couple of days as I'm helping a friend with her new born. Right now I feel kinda lost in a fog . . . :eek: Let me get a little sleep and I'll check back with you tomorrow and maybe then I can think straight! :wink:

[Susan C.]

Thanks, Linda--I went out yesterday and bought Picture It! Premium as my old copy of Picture It! Publishing is totally destroyed, and it doesn't seem to come by itself any more. Can't believe it; apparently no options to shadow an image in here--$50! Seems to be more for photos. Guess I should have gotten something else, but didn't want to spend a lot. Good luck taking care of your friends' baby.

[Linda]

Susan, do you want to use just Imagemagick and Animation Shop or do you have PSP too? Also had a thought - if you'd like we can do some experimenting to come up with some different options. Let me know if you're interested. If you are, I'll give you my email address and you can send me your image and your name in the style that you like and I'll try some different things. That way we can get it fine tuned!! :wink:

[Susan C.]

Linda-tried to get back here yesterday, but AOL was giving me a hard time. No, I don't have PSP, just AS and Picture It! Premium. I can't get the free version of PSP any more as I already had it twice and they want me to pay for it now. I would need lessons to learn it anyway. Also, don't know if this old computer could handle another big program; guess PSP needs a lot of masks, tubes etc., too. I have to find a good image and alpha for you to help me shadow at Image Magick. Would like to have same shadow on both, if it's possible. I don't know anything on how to change where the shadow falls. Also, does one shadow the whole image together or name and image separately? I'll get back here later; have to prepare for the big blizzard we're getting hit with. Not used to a foot and a half (or more) of snow here on Long Island! Wish I had a four-wheel drive vehicle.

[Linda]

Linda-tried to get back here yesterday, but AOL was giving me a hard time. No, I don't have PSP, just AS and Picture It! Premium. I can't get the free version of PSP any more as I already had it twice and they want me to pay for it now. I would need lessons to learn it anyway. Also, don't know if this old computer could handle another big program; guess PSP needs a lot of masks, tubes etc., too. I have to find a good image and alpha for you to help me shadow at Image Magick. Would like to have same shadow on both, if it's possible. I don't know anything on how to change where the shadow falls. Also, does one shadow the whole image together or name and image separately? I'll get back here later; have to prepare for the big blizzard we're getting hit with. Not used to a foot and a half (or more) of snow here on Long Island! Wish I had a four-wheel drive vehicle.

We could do it either way, but it would probably be better to put them together and then do the shadowing unless we can't get the effect that you want. You stay warm and safe!! I'll be here and we can work on this later when you're ready! :hi:

[Susan C.]

Hi Linda--Wow, what a weekend I had. Car broke down when I was at the supermarket. Got a jump from a guy in the parking lot. Okay, get home before the blizzard became too bad. Yesterday, it won't start again and I'm plowed in of course. Get a friend to jump the car. Get out by "rocking" the car up the street, as they had only plowed once on Saturday night. Get to Pep Boys and get a new battery. I am still not shovelled out; sidewalk etc. Kids don't come around here anymore looking to make money shovelling as they are too lazy. Can't ask friend as he is coming down with something. Anyway, below is a sig I had made for me at "The Ladies Love Sigs." This is the type of shadowing I would like to achieve. I still have to send you an image and name I would like to shadow, but no rush. I've got to get outside and shovel some snow! Thanks--

[Susan C.]

We could do it either way, but it would probably be better to put them together and then do the shadowing unless we can't get the effect that you want. You stay warm and safe!! I'll be here and we can work on this later when you're ready! :hi:

Hi Linda--finally getting back to "shadowing." I got totally sidetracked with my new "Picture It! Premium." Just not the same as my old PIP. I learned I can shadow text in this program, but apparently not the image. I was also totally into "rotating" letters in Animation Shop; something new for me. The sig I'm using now was done this way. Anywho, think I finally found an image that will look good with shadowing; attached below (I hope.) I would think a shadow off to the back and right of sig and image would look the best? I have no clue as what numbers to use in Image Magick Studio. BTW--their site seems to be down for the time being. Thanks once again for your help--

[Linda]

Susan, my tutorial for shadowing actually casts the shadow off to the left, so I redid the coordinates for you to cast the shadow to the right.

When you're following the tutorial, your first set of numbers should be +25+60 (or somewhere close). Then after you blur the image and composite it again, the next set of numbers should be +15+50 (or somewhere close). That will cast the shadow to the right.

Also, try this Imagemagick site. I actually prefer it to the other and might be reposting this address in the tutorials. http://studio.imagemagick.net/MagickStudio/scripts/MagickStudio.cgi

Here is how the image looks now -

[Susan C.]

Susan, my tutorial for shadowing actually casts the shadow off to the left, so I redid the coordinates for you to cast the shadow to the right.

When you're following the tutorial, your first set of numbers should be +25+60 (or somewhere close). Then after you blur the image and composite it again, the next set of numbers should be +15+50 (or somewhere close). That will cast the shadow to the right.

Also, try this Imagemagick site. I actually prefer it to the other and might be reposting this address in the tutorials. http://studio.imagemagick.net/MagickStudio/scripts/MagickStudio.cgi

Here is how the image looks now -

Oooh Linda--I just love it! Now I will have such fun shadowing everything! Tried your alternative site for Image Magick, too--and it loads up. Haven't had a chance yet to try the new shadowing, but you bet I will. Thank you so much.

[Linda]

You're very welcome! :)