Live Emboss adds a 3D look to selected objects by adding highlights and/or shadows. The effect is achieved by creating intermediary objects behind the selection. It works best with filled but unstroked objects. Live Emboss offers three styles of effect.
Original object can be edited, and the effect will automatically update.
This effect is compatible with Illustrator’s “Action.”Example:
From sample file live_emboss_01.ai
- Create a new document (set Units as Points) from “Illustrator > File > New…” menu.
- Select “Illustrator > Window > FILTERiT5 > Live Emboss” menu. “FILTERiT5: Live Emboss” panel will open.
- Create a rectangle on the document’s artboard. Use Illustrator’s “Rectangle Tool” and draw a rectangle with Width as 600 pt, Height as 300 pt. Set the Fill Color to Gray-50% and Stroke to none. Additionally, lock it.
- Type “FILTERiT5” and put text object in the middle of the rectangle. Set font style to Bold, font size as 72 pt, Fill Color to Gray-50%, and Stroke to none.
- Select the text object.
- From the panel menu (located on the upper right corner), select “Default Settings.”
- Click “Apply” button on the panel.
- Try to move “Light Angle” slider and check “Reverse” option.
- Change text object on the artboard.
- Change settings on the panel by referring to the following paragraph.
Setting items:
Normal: Both a shadow and a highlight are added.
Highlight only: The highlight is added, but not a shadow.
Shadow only: The shadow is produced, but not a highlight.Contrast
Ranging from 0 to 100%, Contrast determines the difference in color between the original object's fill and the color of the shadow and the highlight. At 100%, the deepest shadow will be black and the lightest highlight will be white.Offset
The distance of the shadow and highlight from the original object is determined by the Offset. It is measure in the unit of measure specified in the Preferences.Light Angle
Light Angle determines the direction of the highlight and, in the opposite direction, the shadow.Reverse
The shadow and the highlight will be reversed. This is equivalent to selecting the opposite Light Angle.Steps
Steps determines how many intermediary objects will be create to form the shadow and/or the highlight. When Normal is selected for the Live Emboss style, the Steps value determines both the number of shadow objects and the number of highlight objects. Higher values produce smooth transitions, but create more complex objects.Live Update
Updating the Artboard while you work can result in slow screen redraw times, especially when Live Emboss is creating a high number of steps. Unchecking this option leaves the selected object unchanged until you click the Apply button. When checked, Live Update will automatically apply the Live Emboss settings as you make changes.Expand/Release/Apply
The Expand button creates individual objects from each of the intermediary steps created by Live Emboss. The objects will be grouped. The Release button removes the Live Emboss effect. The Apply button applies the current settings to selected objects.Panel Menu
The Panel menu is accessed by clicking the icon in the upper right corner of the panel.
You can reset the panel setting to 'Default Settings' or name the current settings and save as the preset menu.
For how to use the preset menu, please refer to 'Preset Menu.’