The Print Shop 4.0 User Guide

Adding Effects to an Object

Effects are things that will alter the way your objects appear on your project.  Many object types have effects unique to them but these four effects are standard across all objects.  Shapes are used in the examples below but these effects can also be used with Headlines, Text, Images, Calendars and Tables.

Opacity

Opacity affects the object's transparency. This will make it so your object is slightly transparent and elements in the background can be seen through it.

The object on the right has a lower opacity than the object on the left.

To change the opacity of your object:

1. Click on your object.
2. Click on the Opacity button from the object's Tab.
   
3. Use the slider to make your object more or less opaque.
   

Note: The lower the percent, the more transparent your image will become.

Border

Borders affect shapes and other objects slightly differently. On Shapes, the border affect the outline of the shape. Adding a border to other objects will put an outline around its bounding box.

The object on the left has a border and the object on the right does not.

Here are some examples of other objects using Borders.

To apply a Border:

1. Click on your object.
2. Click on the Border Button from the object's Tab.
   
3. Each will have a drop-down menu with the following tools.
   

• Use the slider tool to increase or decrease the width of the Border.
• Use the color drop-down to change the color of the Border.

Blur

The object on the left has a blur effect and the object on the right does not.

To apply a blur:

1. Click on your object.
2. Click on the Blur button from the object's Tab.
   
3. Use the slider to make your object Blurrier.
   

Note: The lower the percent, the blurrier your image will become.

Drop Shadow

The Drop Shadow effect allows you to place a shadow behind your object. You can also change the drop shadow's color, direction, and blur.

The Shape on the left has a Drop Shadow and the shape on the right does not.

To apply a drop shadow:

1. Click on your object.
2. Click on the Drop Shadow button from the object's Tab.
   
3. A drop-down menu will appear with the following tools:
   

• Use the Slider tool to increase or decrease the distance the shadow is placed away from the object.
• The Color drop-down lets you change the color of the shadow.
• The Direction tool controls the direction that the shadow falls away from the Shape.
• The Blur Slider affects only the shadow.

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