Adobe InDesign CS5 - Manual (Page 452)

446 USING INDESIGN
Transparency effects
Last updated 11/16/2011
Note: In addition to the descriptions covered here, see “ Common transparency settings and options ” on page 446.
Common transparency settings and options
Many transparency effect settings and options are the same across different effects. Common transparency settings
and options include the following:
Angle and Altitude Determine the lighting angle at which a lighting effect is applied. A setting of 0 is equivalent to
ground level; 90 is directly above the object. Click the angle radius or enter a degree measurement. Select Use Global
Light if you want a uniform lighting angle for all objects. Used by the Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Bevel and Emboss,
Satin, and Feather effects.
Blending Mode Specifies how colors in transparent objects interact with the objects behind them. Used by the Drop
Shadow, Inner Shadow, Outer Glow, Inner Glow, and Satin effects. (See “ Specify how colors blend ” on page 451.)
Choke Along with the Size setting, determines how much of the shadow or glow is opaque and how much is
transparent; large settings increase opacity and small settings increase transparency. Used by the Inner Shadow, Inner
Glow, and Feather effects.
Distance Specifies the offset distance for the Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, or Satin effect.
Noise Specifies the amount of random elements in the opacity of a glow or shadow as you enter a value or drag the
slider. Used by the Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Outer Glow, Inner Glow, and Feather effects.
Opacity Determines the opacity of an effect; drag the slider or enter a percentage measurement. (See “ Set the opacity
of an object ” on page 449.) Used by the Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Outer Glow, Inner Glow, Gradient Feather, Bevel
and Emboss, and Satin effects.
Size Specifies the amount of shadow or glow. Used by the Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Outer Glow, Inner Glow, and
Satin effects.
Spread Determines the transparency of the blur within the shadow or glow effect as established by the Size setting. A
higher percentage makes the blur more opaque. Used by the Drop Shadow and Outer Glow.
Technique These settings determine how the edge of a transparency effect interacts with background colors. Softer
and Precise are available for the Outer Glow and Inner Glow effects:
• Softer Applies a blur to the edge of the effect. At larger sizes, doesn’t preserve detailed features.
• Precise Preserves the edge of the effect, including its corners and other sharp details. Preserves features better than
the Softer technique.
Use Global Light Applies the global light setting to the shadow. Used by the Drop Shadow, Bevel and Emboss, and
Inner Shadow effects.
X Offset and Y Offset Offsets the shadow on the x- or y-axis by the amount you specify. Used by the Drop Shadow and
Inner Shadow effects.
Drop Shadow
The Drop Shadow effect creates a three-dimensional shadow. You can offset the drop shadow along the x or y axis, as
well as vary the blending mode, color, opacity, distance, angle, and size of the drop shadow. Use these options to
determine how the drop shadow interacts with objects and transparency effects:
Object Knocks Out Shadow The object appears in front of the drop shadow that it casts.
Shadow Honors Other Effects The drop shadow factors in other transparency effects. For example, if the object is
feathered on one side, you can make the drop-shadow disregard the feathering such that the shadow doesn’t fade out,
or make the shadow look feathered in the same way as the object is feathered.