Adobe Illustrator Tutorial: How to Create Inner Shadow

In this Adobe Illustrator tutorial for beginners we will take a look at the technique of creating inner shadow. Unfortunately, unlike Photoshop there is no such function in Adobe Illustrator. But this fact is not going to be a problem for you after reading this vector tutorial. Let's begin!

Step 1

Take a look at the creation of an inner shadow on the example of complex shapes. It can be a text located on the illuminated background. I think this is a fairly common case of using this effect.

Select the text and go to Type > Create > Outlines.

Step 2

Copy the created group and paste it front twice (Command / Ctrl + C, Command / Ctrl + F (2 times)).

Take the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a rectangle of white color. Rectangle must completely cover the text.

Step 3

Move the rectangle from the Layers panel so that it is between the first and the second group with the text.

For clarity purposes, turn off the visibility of the first and third group with the text in the Layers panel.

Select the second group and a white rectangle, then click on the Minus Front in the Pathfinder panel (Window > Pathfinder).

We got a rectangle with cut out text.

Step 4

Keeping the rectangle selected, go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow ....

Now we can control the parameters of the shadow in the dialog window.

Step 5

Turn on the visibility of the upper group with the text, select it, then go to Object > Compound Path > Make or use Command / Ctrl + 8 shortcut.

Select the Compound Path and white rectangle, then go to Object > Clipping Path > Make or use Command / Ctrl + 7 shortcut.

Step 6

As you can see, there are white artifacts left on the edges of the letters. Fix this problem. Find and select the white rectangle with the cut out text in the Layers panel. Now apply the Multiply blending mode to it in the Transparency panel.

White color becomes transparent after applying this blending mode.

Step 7

I think that the Drop Shadow effect should be adjusted. Open the Appearance panel (Window > Appearance), select the rectangle with the cut out text and click on the name of the effect in the panel.

In order the edges of the objects do not prevent us from customizing the effect, turn off their visibility View > Hide Edges (Command + H).

Step 8

Turn on the visibility of the very bottom group with text, fill it with gray color and apply the Multiply blending mode in the Transparency panel.

I hope the described technique will be useful to you, and you will be able to use it in your projects. Follow us if you want to be the first to know about the latest Adobe Illustrator tutorials and articles. Vectorboom team works for you!