Drop Shadow Problem

[barusiec]

I removed the background from this image by selecting the original white background and then masking it. However, now for some reason, I can't get the drop shadow to conform the image of the man. No idea why it's coming out square like that. Any help would be most appreciated!

 

[IamSam]

Hello. Can you pleas post a screen shot of your layers panel or upload your PSD file?

I checked and if you masked out the BG with a layer mask, a drop shadow via a layer style should work. We need to see what you have done.

 

[barusiec]

Here are both things you asked for. Thanks so much!

 

[IamSam]

Not exactly sure what has happened in your original selection process, but I just re-selected the BG from the original "background" layer, used a layer mask, and the drop shadow now seems to be working ok! At the bottom, I explain how I also did ths with the smart object layer.


However, with your existing smart object layer, I found that if I lower the "size" to 2, it seems to work as well.


But there is still something not right with your original selection so I also double clicked the smart object layer to open the PSB, deleted the layer mask in the PSB, then made a new selection using "color range", then added back the layer mask, saved the state changes to the PSB...........the problem goes away.

 

[thebestcpu]

Hi @barusiec and @IamSam

The issue is that the mask used to create the transparency was not 100% black. Even with a single bit of less than 100% transparent will make the Layer Style assume that it is no longer and edge with which to create a Layer Style. So it created the Layer Style from the outside boundary of the entire outside boundary.

The screenshot below show a point sample of the Layer Mask in the Smart Object showing that the mask is not 100% black i.e. R=G=B=0 rather it was R=B=G=1.

John Wheeler

 

[thebestcpu]

Hi @barusiec
It occurred to me that I did not show an easy fix with your given PSD file so here it is:

First here is your original image:


Now I am opening up the Smart Object. I Opt + Click on Layer Mask (Atl + click for PCs) to open up the Layer Mask and placed two sample points in the surrounding black areas of the mask. Note that the values from the info panel show that these have a value of 1 instead of 0 which is the problem.



The simple fix is to use the Image > Adjustment > Levels and move the black point to 1 (the blue highlighted number on the left side of the Levels Histogram. Note that the values in the info panel now went to zero.



We accept the Adjustment Changes with "OK", save and close the Smart Object and we are back into the original Layer Stack with the issue fixed and your desired drop shadow:



Hope the detailed steps for a fix was helpful
John Wheeler

 

[barusiec]

Thank you everyone! Fixed now.