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Shadows

Last updated on 27 May 2025
1 min read

Shadows and Inner Shadows have the same controls but work in different ways. Shadows render outside a layer, while Inner Shadows render inside a layer.

You can apply shadows to layers like shapes and text and containers like frames, graphics and groups.

A video showing how to apply shadows to frames and layers

An image showing the different types of shadows

Shadow type examples in the Mac app.

You can apply multiple shadows to the same layer, frame or graphic and control colors, blending modes, X and Y positions, blur radius and spread.

In groups you can only apply one shadow and it will be applied to the layers inside the group, not to the group itself.

An image showing different shadows

Shadow types and examples of settings in the Mac app

The X and Y values offset the shadow from the layer and can be positive or negative. The Blur value sets the Blur radius to apply to the shadow in pixels. The Spread value (+ or -) sets the distance in pixels to expand or contract the shadow in all directions.

An image showing different shadow blur and spread settings

Shadow Blur and Spread examples of settings in the Mac app.