5.5

219Motion User Guide
Drop shadows are commonly used to simulate depth and separate foreground objects
from the background in 2D projects. The classic drop shadow effect is used on light-color
titles so the text is legible against dark and light backgrounds. In a drop shadow effect, the
imaginary light source does not create any shading effect on the surface of the object, and
the shadow’s position is set at a fixed direction. A drop shadow is rendered as a part of the
foreground object, so it doesn’t interact with background objects. However, because it is
an effect, its appearance can be customized. The softness, opacity, position, and color can
be adjusted and animated without having to manipulate a light source.
Cast shadows are true 3D effects, and their appearance is determined by the light source
and the other objects in the scene. Multiple cast shadows interact with each other and take
their shapes based on the surfaces and positions of the objects upon which they are cast.
This section addresses cast shadow effects. For information on drop shadows, see Add a
drop shadow to a layer in Motion.
Cast a 3D shadow in Motion
Shadows are controlled in the Light Inspector. To improve performance, you can
temporarily turn off the rendering of shadows in the canvas.
Cast a shadow
• In the Motion canvas or Layers list, select the light, then select the Shadows activation
checkbox in the Light Inspector.
Note: To cast a shadow, the light must be offset from the object casting the shadow,
and the object casting the shadow needs to be offset from the layer receiving its
shadow.
Disable rendering of shadows
Rendering shadows can significantly impact playback performance. You can temporarily
disable shadows to improve playback speed while working on other aspects of your project.
• In Motion, click the Render pop-up menu above the canvas, then choose Shadows (or
press Control-Option-S).
3D shadow controls in Motion
Shadows are controlled by adjusting settings in two places:
• Shadows section in the Light Inspector: Use these parameter controls to set the shadow
properties of point lights and spot lights.
• Shadows section in the Properties Inspector: Use these parameter controls to set the
casting and receiving properties of layers.
Note: 2D groups at the root level of the project (not nested in other groups) do not have
lighting or shadow controls. To enable shadows on such a group, convert it to 3D or embed
it in another 3D group.