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Drop Shadow
This effect adds a shadow that appears behind the layer. The shape of the shadow is deter-
mined by the layer's alpha channel. Drop Shadow can create a shadow outside the bounds
of the layer; however, memory requirements for this effect grow as the distance setting
increases. The layer's quality setting affects the subpixel positioning of the shadow and
the smoothness of the shadow's soft edges. It works well with 32-bit footage files from 3D
rendering programs and drawing programs that support the alpha channel. If you want to
render the shadow without the image, select Shadow only.
Note: To apply a Drop Shadow to a layer that rotates, rotate the layer using the Transform
effect and then apply the Drop Shadow effect. You can also use nesting, precomposing, or
an adjustment layer to achieve this effect. If you do not use one of these methods, the
shadow rotates with the layer. See "Changing the rendering order" on page 266 and
"Understanding 3D layer material options" on page 232.
Render effects
Use these effects to create elements in a layer such as ellipses or fills, or to render a visual
display of an audio file.
Audio Spectrum
This effect displays the spectrum of an audio layer in the range you define using Start
Frequency and End Frequency. It can display the audio spectrum in a number of different
ways, including along a Bezier path of a layer. Apply the effect to a layer that contains a
solid or an image, and that may contain audio. The audio layer's adjustments, such as time-
remapping, effects, stretch, and levels, will not be present. To graph this information for
the audio layer, precompose the audio before applying this effect.
Note: This effect is a visual effect, not an audio effect, and it must be applied to a video
layer.
For more information, see the After Effects product section on Adobe's Web site.
Audio Waveform
This effect displays the waveform amplitude of an audio layer. You can display the audio
waveform in a number of different ways, including along a Bezier path created by an open
or closed mask of a layer. You apply the effect to a layer that contains a solid or an image,
and that may contain audio. The audio layer's adjustments, such as time-remapping,
effects, stretch, and levels, will not be present. To graph this information for the audio
layer, precompose the audio before applying this effect.
For more information, see the After Effects product section on Adobe's Web site.
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Applying Effects
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