**Create Realistic Custom Shadows with the Smudge Tool
Learn how to create custom shadows that make your elements pop off your digital scrapbook page. It's easy when you use the Smudge Tool. Prepare your Image: Open the image for which you wish to create a custom shadow. Because shadows look different on lighter and darker backgrounds, it's a good idea to place the image on the background you will be using on your layout. I'm working with a piece of foliage and a paper from Bucket List. In the Layers Panel, click on the foliage layer to make it active. Press Ctrl J (Mac: Cmd J) to duplicate the foliage layer. Press and hold Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) and in the Layers Panel click on the thumbnail of the original foliage layer to create a selection. In the Menu Bar: Edit > Fill Selection and choose Black. Click OK Lower the opacity of the original foliage layer (now filled with black) by typing in 50% in the Opacity option at the top of the Layers Panel or by using the Opacity slider. With the duplicated black foliage ...