Adding Shadow and 3D Effects

You can add shadow and 3D effects to objects, including AutoShapes, WordArt, and clip art.

Select an object and click the Shadow Style button on the Drawing toolbar. The Shadow palette appears, as Figure 14.25 shows.

Figure 14.25. Shadows can dramatically emphasize a presentation.

Choose a shadow style from the available palette options.

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To remove a shadow immediately, click the Undo button. To remove a shadow later, select the shadowed object, click the Shadow button on the Drawing toolbar, and choose No Shadow.

You can also customize the shadow by specifying its exact position and color . To do this, select Shadow Settings from the Shadow palette. The Shadow Settings toolbar displays, as described in Table 14.2. Figure 14.26 shows an object with a shadow.

Figure 14.26. Get dramatic with shadows.

Table 14.2. Shadow Settings Toolbar Buttons

Button	Name	Description
	Shadow On/Off	Adds or removes the shadow
	Nudge Shadow Up	Moves the shadow up slightly
	Nudge Shadow Down	Moves the shadow down slightly
	Nudge Shadow Left	Moves the shadow slightly to the left
	Nudge Shadow Right	Moves the shadow slightly to the right
	Shadow Color	Lets you change the shadow's color to a complementary color, a semitransparent color, or (via the Colors dialog box) any color you want

To add 3D effects, select the object you want to modify and click the 3-D button on the Drawing toolbar. The 3-D palette displays, as illustrated in Figure 14.27.

Figure 14.27. Get creative with 3D, but be sure that your object doesn't become too distorted .

Choose the 3D style you want to apply from the available palette options.

Can't apply 3D effects ? See the " Troubleshooting " section near the end of the chapter.

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To immediately remove a 3D effect, click the Undo button. To remove 3D later, select the object, click the 3-D button on the Drawing toolbar, and choose No 3-D.

You can also customize the 3D effect by specifying its tilt, depth, direction, lighting, surface, and color. To do this, select 3-D Settings from the 3-D palette. The 3-D Settings toolbar appears, described in Table 14.3.

Table 14.3. 3-D Settings Toolbar Buttons

Button	Name	Description
	3-D On/Off	Adds and removes 3D
	Tilt Down	Turns the object slightly downward
	Tilt Up	Turns the object slightly upward
	Tilt Left	Turns the object slightly to the left
	Tilt Right	Turns the object slightly to the right
	Depth	Lets you adjust the 3D effect's depth from 0 points to infinity (12 points = 1 inch)
	Direction	Lets you set the 3D effect's direction, viewing it either in perspective or in parallel
	Lighting	Lets you set the direction and intensity of the lighting
	Surface	Lets you change the object's surface to matte, plastic, or metal, or lets you remove the surface so that you see only a wireframe
	3-D Color	Lets you change the 3D effect's color to a complementary color, a semitransparent color, or (via the Colors dialog box) any color you want

Figure 14.28 shows an object with 3D effects.

Figure 14.28. Properly used, 3D effects can enhance a presentation.