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I want to make a white rounded rectangle (which will be used for an in-game alpha mask) and another layer which contains a drop shadow. That way I can do quick export for the two layers. WITHOUT RASTERIZING

I use blue and red to help me provide the contrast to help me debug.

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I have a rounded rectangle which I converted to a path.

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I've created a vector mask where I reversed

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When I create the clipping mask I get the following. Which is close to what I want except for the white background as I just wanted the drop shadow with a transparent background.

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I think I can do a layer mask but it seems I have to rasterize the path. This is basically what I got when I rasterize.

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  • Hi Archimedes, welcome to Graphic Design SE and thanks for your question. If you want to know more about the site, please see the help center or ping one of us in the Graphic Design Chat once your reputation is sufficient (20). Keep contributing and enjoy the site!
    – Vincent
    Jul 23, 2019 at 12:52

1 Answer 1

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  1. Create a shape layer in the desired shape and with any colour fill;
  2. Add your drop shadow using Layer Styles;
  3. Make sure that on the Drop Shadow settings, the box 'Layer Knocks Out Drop Shadow' is ticked;
  4. In the Layers palette, reduce the layer's 'Fill' property (not Opacity) to 0%.

'Fill' functions exactly the same as Opacity, except it doesn't affect any layer styles you applied.

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  • how to knock the layer below making the transparent hole? I mean of course one could duplicate the shape with the shadow and make it a vector mask...
    – Luciano
    Jul 23, 2019 at 12:52
  • @Luciano Not sure I follow. Was that the question? thinking
    – Vincent
    Jul 23, 2019 at 12:53
  • it looks like. White layer with a hole and a drop shadow falling on the layer. Or maybe I'm over-reading
    – Luciano
    Jul 23, 2019 at 12:54
  • I think you are, the OP just marked this as the preferred answer. Thanks for thinking along, though! :)
    – Vincent
    Jul 23, 2019 at 12:55
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    No, that's okay @ArchimedesTrajano. We are not a forum, and we are very precise about what is an answer and what is a question. If you want, you can show (and discuss) stuff in Graphic Design Chat though!
    – Vincent
    Jul 23, 2019 at 13:00

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