(If you wish, you can use the gradient trick below to compensate.) Note that where the shadow is compressed horizontally, it will tighten up the pixels and give the false impression that it is darker. Now skew and distort the result so that it corresponds to the projected shape, then move it into position. Now select and isolate the result and use the perspective tool to squeeze the top corners together unit they are at the desired width. Blur the entire object to the maximum amount needed at the point that will be closest to the 'camera'. Select and isolate the image, then transform > perspective and stretch the top right and left corners as wide as they can go and still have room for a broad blur. Make it large and make sure you have plenty of room at the sides. This can also be used for a shadow from a vertical object by reversing the process vertically, in which case the blur increases over distance as the perceived ambient light washes out the shadow over distance.Ĭreate the desired shape as a flat image a straight-on birds-eye view, aligned on the X and Y (not at an angle). It recognizes that if the distance from the shadow remains constant, the farther away something is, the sharper the shadow appears to be. The following is for a receding shadow beneath and for an object that is floating level over a surface. To maintain the planes implied in google maps, You really should be skewing the pin itself as if you are looking straight down on the map. Note that for the particular use you have asked about, the shadow will appear to go through the map and not lay on it. You should now have a really blurred layer and a non-blurred shadow layer and a cross-fade between the two. Deselect, ensure the mask is selected, and invert the colors (ctrl+i). Experiment until it looks decent.Ĭtrl+click on the layer mask thumbnail to create a selection from it, then add a new layer mask the first copy of the skewed shadow. Then apply a black to clear or black to white gradient along the axis of skewed shadow of the pin. I shortened the item and then adjusted the top edge to align with the horizon.Īfter you do this, you can duplicate the shadow layer and apply blur to one copy.Īdd a layer mask to the blurred layer, select the mask itself by clicking on it in the layer palette (if selected, it will be outlined slightly). To skew the shadow properly, you need to rotate it, then use 'transform->distort'

Shadow pro palette lens blur