Compositing in 3D Space with Action > About Surfaces >

# Adding Drop Shadows

In Action, drop shadows are cutouts based on a surface's matte. A drop shadow can be fully opaque or slightly transparent to simulate a real shadow.

Shadows cast by lit objects are also supported in Action (see Casting Shadows).

To add a drop shadow:

1. Select the surface that you want to use.
2. Do one of the following:
   - Drag the shadow node from the node bin and place it in the schematic. An axis and a shadow are created and linked together.
   - Drag the shadow node from the node bin to the Result view, so you can see its effect on the scene before placing it exactly where you want.
   - Double-click the shadow node. An axis and a shadow are created and linked together. You do not need to be in Schematic view to add a node in this manner.

   If a surface node is selected in the schematic, the axis of the shadow node is automatically connected to the surface.

   NoteA shadow has its own parent axis. It can be moved, rotated, scaled, and sheared independently of its parent surface. Because a shadow is also the child of the surface, moving the surface axis also moves the shadow.

#### Topics in this section

- Adjusting Shadow Softness
- Adjusting Shadow Colour and Transparency
- Using Shadow Mix
- Shadow Menu Settings