Illustrator add inner shadow effect?

Question

I have a rounded square with some stroke. I want some inner color.

Similar to this. How can I achieve that effect in illustrator?

Answer 1

The Inner Glow Way

1. Select Object

2. Go to Effect > Stylize > Inner Glow

3. Choose black color and adjust the opacity and blur to your liking (make sure to change color mode to normal! default is screen)

4. Rasterize the the object (Edit > Rasterize)

5. Image Trace the object to create shadow levels (adjust number of colors)

Tinker with it.

Here is an example:

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Multiple Strokes Way

You can create the effect using multiple strokes. To add multiple strokes open up the Appearance window and click on the Add new stroke button / icon, it is the first in the bottom left side of the panel.

Make sure the strokes are inside the object for optimal control.

Example:

Answer 2

I think multiple strokes is a great way to achieve this effect, but there is another method that may or may not be better, depending on your specific needs.

Start with your outer path, no stroke, fill with the color you want for the outermost stroke. Go to Object > Path > Offset Path... and enter how much smaller you want to make the inner path.

Then change the fill of the inner shape to the color you want the innermost part to be, select both and go to Object > Blend > Make (hotkey is Alt+Ctrl+B on Windows). Then go to Object > Blend > Blend Options..., change the spacing to "Specified Steps" and enter the number of steps you want, hit OK and you're done!

There are a couple of advantages to this method.

• Available in older versions of Illustrator
• Size and color of each section is automatically generated rather than you having to manually figure out values
• You can play with the blend options and the size and color of both shapes to quickly try out multiple looks
• You can quickly convert this into multiple separate paths if necessary by going to Object > Blend > Expand

Again, this may or may not be a better method, it really depends on your specific needs.

Answer 3

@Aziz answer is great, if you are using an older version of AI that does not allow multiple strokes and you need vector paths, this may help.

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If you need the artwork to be vector paths (say you want to cut vinyl graphics on a plotter for example) you can try this method. Obviously this way is little more labour intensive and less customisable, so only use if you need your shapes to be paths.

1. Replicate your shape the number of times you need and give them strokes increasing in size (the largest will be you most inner colour)
2. Outline your strokes and remove the main fill
3. Delete the out edge, so you shape is no longer hollow
4. Align all of your shapes together (or place how you would like them)

Finished Shape

Outline view

Preview and outline together

Answer 4

The is a very simple process, and can be achieved with one object.

First create your initial object:

Now, open the Appearance panel (Window > Appearance).

Then, with the object selected, duplicate the stroke in the appearance panel by dragging it to the duplicated selected item at the bottom of the panel. Move the duplicated stroke below the original, change the color and stroke size.

You may add/duplicate as many strokes as you need, move each newer one to the bottom of the stack and manipulate color and stroke size.

Notes:

1. Keep the object selected all the time to see the results as you are doing them.

2. In order to maintain the transition to the inside, select "Align stroke to inside" from the stroke panel.

3. You can also click on the little arrow next to the stroke to open the opacity option (opening a whole new universe of creativity).

4. Should you want to use the final style on other objects later, you may save it by selecting "New graphic style" in the graphic styles panel.

Hope this method has been useful to you and anyone who is reading this.

Answer 5

You should try using the appearance panel - Window / Appearance. Apply a new fill on top of your square and use transform to scale the new fill down. That's your first shadow. Repeat this action.