Generally, window managers which are capable of compositing allow drop shadow effects, whereas incapable window managers do not. Use Stacking window managers draw a window border around the windows, while compositing window managers draw drop shadow around the windows This allows the interface element to appear as if it is sunken into the interface. Inset drop shadows are a type which draws the shadows inside the element. This can be done by adding Gaussian blur to the shadow's alpha channel before blending. This can be done with alpha blending the shadow with the area it is cast on. Darkening the colors of the pixels where the shadow casts instead of making them gray.In general, a drop shadow is a copy in black or gray of the object, drawn in a slightly different position.
Ī simple way of drawing a drop shadow of a rectangular object is to draw a gray or black area underneath and offset from the object. The text label for icons on desktops in many desktop environments has a drop shadow, as this effect effectively distinguishes the text from any colored background it may be in front of. The drop shadow is often used for elements of a graphical user interface such as windows or menus, and for simple text. In graphic design and computer graphics, a drop shadow is a visual effect consisting of a drawing element which looks like the shadow of an object, giving the impression that the object is raised above the objects behind it. Visual effect consisting of a drawing element which looks like the shadow of an object A red rectangle casting a drop shadow over a wood-like background