Applying Dynamic Effects
You can use Dynamic Effects to apply shadows, reflections, glow, or soft edges to objects. Dynamic Effects will move and resize with the objects they are applied to. You can add multiple types of Dynamic Effects to an object.
You cannot move a Dynamic Effect independent of its object.
To Apply Dynamic Effects:
- Select an object.
- In the Properties bar, from the Dynamic Effects drop-down menu, choose one of the following:
- Shadow...
- Reflection...
- Glow...
- Soft Edge...
- Configure the settings as described below.
Shadow Options
Color |
Set the color of the shadow effect. |
Opacity |
Adjusts the transparency of the shadow effect. |
Size |
Adjusts the size of the shadow effect. |
Blur |
Enter a value from 0 to 50 or drag the slider to set the amount of blur to apply to the shadow effect. |
Angle |
Sets the angle that the shadow effect appears relative to the object. Enter a value from 0 to 359 |
Distance |
Specifies the distance between the object and the shadow effect. |
Preview |
Displays the shadow effect on your object based on the current settings. |
Reflection Options
Opacity |
Adjusts the transparency of the reflection effect. |
Size |
Adjusts the height of the reflection effect. |
Blur |
Enter a value from 0 to 50 or drag the slider to set the amount of blur to apply to the reflection effect. |
Distance |
Specifies the distance between the object and the reflection effect. |
Preview |
Displays the reflection effect on your object based on the current settings. |
Glow Options
Color |
Set the color of the glow effect. |
Opacity |
Adjusts the transparency of the glow effect. |
Size |
Adjusts the size of the glow effect. |
Preview |
Displays the glow effect on your object based on the current settings. |
Soft Edge Options
Size |
Adjusts the thickness of the edge. |
Preview |
Displays the soft edge effect on your object based on the current settings. |
You can see which effects are applied to your object and edit them. Right-click your object and choose Edit | Edit "<Effect name>"... Or you can select your object and note the following icon in the Status bar:
To quickly apply a Dynamic Effect using the last settings used, hold down SHIFT while selecting your desired effect from the Dynamic Effects drop-down menu.
You can transfer Dynamic Effects from one object to another using the Attributes Dropper tool.
To Remove All Dynamic Effects:
- Select the object.
- Do one of the following:
- In the Properties bar, below the Dynamic Effects drop-down menu, click the Remove All button.
- Choose Effects | Dynamic Effects | Remove All.
To Remove Individual Dynamic Effects:
- Select the object.
- In the Properties bar, select the Dynamic Effect you want to remove from the Dynamic Effects drop-down menu.
- In the Dynamic Effects' options dialog, click the Remove button.
Presets
You can create presets from your Dynamic Effects settings for future use.
To Create a Preset:
- In the Dynamic Effect's options dialog, configure your desired settings.
- Enter a name for your preset in the Presets field.
- Press the Save button.
To Edit a Preset:
- In the Dynamic Effect's options dialog, configure your desired settings.
- In the Presets field, enter the name of the preset you want to edit.
- In the Canvas X Draw Message dialog box, click Yes to overwrite the previous settings.
To Delete a Preset:
- In the Dynamic Effect's options dialog, select the preset from the Presets drop-down menu.
- Press the Delete button.