Maybe this extract from the manual will help: "Generates a cast shadow based on the shape of your layer"

i.e, sadly, not a shadow of a shape on a layer

But even with that, we are talking about a long shadow rather than a drop shadow, and it sounds like you are looking for a drop shadow effect, which you can achieve through the Outer Glow effect (it has a drop shadow preset, or you can customise to get it looking the way you want). However, again, it is applied to the shape of the layer, not to shapes on the layer.

That being saidf, there are methopds for turning masked shapes on a layer into a shaped layer ... have a look a Group (right click a layer, Group from Selection, then apply the long shadow or outer glow to the Group)

 

Yes, you’re correct. A drop shadow is what I was and am after (I just forgot the technical name for it). Thanks for taking the time to reply, I greatly appreciate it. I’ll definitely look at following your suggestion.

I currently have it set up where I’ve created another layer and resized and softened it to make look like a shadow underneath the layer where I want to have a drop shadow. It looks alright but, obviously, having it attached to the layer or shape would be the most desirable. So, I will try your suggestion and report back. Thanks, once again!

(you probably already know that both Vegas Effects and Vegas Edit have pretty good drop shadow effects)

(you probably already know that both Vegas Effects and Vegas Edit have pretty good drop shadow effects)

Yeah, I know that Vegas Pro does. I haven’t really got into fiddling with Vegas Effects as of yet.

On a different note, I have been trying to use the gradient mask to fade out the left and right sides of a banner so that it just fades into nothing into the background behind. However, I seem to be able to only fade out either the left or right sides but not both sides. I tried adding another gradient mask, in addition to the one I already had, and I have yet to be able to figure out how to get my desired effect.

Would anyone know of the best way to go about fading out the left and right sides of an image inside Vegas Image?

Thanks in advance for any help!

On a different note, I have been trying to use the gradient mask to fade out the left and right sides of a banner so that it just fades into nothing into the background behind. However, I seem to be able to only fade out either the left or right sides but not both sides. I tried adding another gradient mask, in addition to the one I already had, and I have yet to be able to figure out how to get my desired effect.

Would anyone know of the best way to go about fading out the left and right sides of an image inside Vegas Image?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Maybe duplicate the track, split them down the middle, on one track fade out the left, on the other track fade out the right?

@MH7 Add two masks & use the options at the top right of the mask.

I do this using an adjustment layer that has a Luminance mask, and a Linear Gradient effect applied, grouped with the image I want to mask. Give s you quite a lot of control of the overall effect

@Former user | @MikeS: Thanks guys for your kind help. I’ll be sure to have a go at applying your suggestions. 👍

@MH7 Hi, can I ask why you're using Vegas Image? I suspect the lack of replies you've got to this post from other users is because they don't use it, I use GIMP & others will use their own choice of picture editor such as Photoshop, For this post I opened my Vegas Post 19 Image, that is prob about the 6th time I've opened it since purchase.

@MH7 Hi, can I ask why you're using Vegas Image?

Well, I used to use MS PowerPoint to create my graphics. I do have Corel PaintShop Pro 18 and have used that for different things. However, the UI of PSP 18 is quite sluggish, even on a somewhat decent PC like mine (see sig below). I thought that VEGAS Image would be a better alternative to both PSP 18 and MS PowerPoint. Whilst I’m still learning, I have found it quite responsive and acceptable to use.

I suspect the lack of replies you've got to this post from other users is because they don't use it,…

Yes, you may be right. But I thought it was worth it to see what replies I’d get.

I use GIMP…

I have tried Gimp in the past. Perhaps I’d give it another look in. Do you happen to know how well Gimp keeps up with other image creators/editors?

…& others will use their own choice of picture editor such as Photoshop.

Yeah, the only problem with Photoshop is that it seems to be subscription only, of which, if I’m being completely honest, I’m not much of a fan of, as I prefer perpetual licenses.

For this post I opened my Vegas Post 19 Image, that is prob about the 6th time I've opened it since purchase.

Well, if you’re already well invested, so to speak, in your image editor of choice, that’s understandable.

However, the UI of PSP 18 is quite sluggish, even on a somewhat decent PC like mine 

Yes, that was my experience also. The latest version of PSP I have is version 22 which opens much faster than PSP 18 but, to be fair, its not lightening fast - just faster than earlier versions of PSP in the 16/17/18 era. Corel regularly offer good PSP upgrade pricing (now version 23) in AUD which I think they are currently doing or have just done. Perhaps version 24 is not too far off.