Introduction

To create the illusion of a Drop Shadow in Flash MX and previous versions, you can use a little layering trick. We're going to make some drop-shadowed text, though you can use this trick on any shape.

Start off by creating a new document and using the Text Tool to place text on your stage.

Copy Text

Select your text and copy it (right-click and copy, Ctrl+C, or Edit-> Copy).

Paste to New Layer

Create a new layer in the Layer Controls next to your Timeline, and paste the copied text onto the new layer. (right-click and paste, Ctrl+V, or Edit->Paste).

Picking a Shadow Color

Select the second copy of the text and, using the Color Picker, select a grey shade good for a shadow.

Positioning the Shadow

Now all you need to do is position the "shadow" layer underneath the main layer, below and to one side. (If you had a light source from above and to the left, the shadow would be below and to the right--the opposite.) And you have a simulated drop shadow.

For a more realistic shadow, bring the Alpha in the Color Mixer down to about half for the fill for the shadow.

With the opacity turned down, the shadow will now seem to layer over anything that it's on top of, darkening the color of objects beneath instead of being a solid grey.