Control
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Reference guide to Effects panel controls, transparency effect types, and common settings for applying transparency in Adobe InDesign.
Use this reference when configuring transparency effects or verifying available options in the Effects panel. These settings control how objects, strokes, fills, and text interact with underlying content.
Effects panel controls
The Effects panel (Window > Effects) provides controls for managing transparency at different levels of an object.
|
|
Function |
Notes |
|
Blending Mode |
Specifies how colors in transparent objects interact with objects behind them. |
Default is Normal; see blending modes table below. |
|
Opacity |
Determines transparency level from 0% (fully transparent) to 100% (fully opaque). |
Can be set independently for Object, Stroke, Fill, and Text levels. |
|
Levels |
Displays hierarchy of Object, Stroke, Fill, and Text settings. |
Select triangle to expand/collapse; Add an object effect to the selected target icon indicates applied effects. |
|
Isolate Blending |
Applies blending mode only to selected group of objects. |
Prevents blending with objects outside the group. |
|
Knockout Group |
Makes opacity and blending of objects in a group block out underlying objects within the same group. |
Affects only objects within the group. |
|
Clear All option |
Removes all effects, resets blending mode to Normal, and opacity to 100%. |
Applies to entire object at all levels. |
|
Add an object effect to the selected target icon |
Opens menu of nine transparency effects. |
Effects can be applied individually or combined. |
Transparency effect types
InDesign provides nine transparency effects that can be applied to objects, strokes, fills, or text.
|
Effect |
Purpose |
Primary Use |
|
Drop Shadow |
Creates shadow behind object. |
Adds depth and separation from background. |
|
Inner Shadow |
Creates shadow inside object edges. |
Produces recessed appearance. |
|
Outer Glow |
Creates glow emanating outward from object edges. |
Highlights objects against dark backgrounds. |
|
Inner Glow |
Creates glow inside object edges. |
Adds internal lighting effect. |
|
Bevel and Emboss |
Adds highlights and shadows for three-dimensional appearance. |
Creates raised or stamped effects. |
|
Satin |
Creates interior shading with smooth finish. |
Produces fabric-like texture. |
|
Basic Feather |
Softens edges uniformly in all directions. |
Fades object to transparent. |
|
Directional Feather |
Softens edges from specified directions independently. |
Fades specific sides while keeping others sharp. |
|
Gradient Feather |
Applies gradient-based transparency. |
Creates custom fade patterns with multiple gradient stops. |
Common transparency settings
Many transparency effects share these settings. Not all settings apply to every effect.
|
Setting |
Available In |
Function |
|
Angle |
Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Bevel and Emboss, Satin, Directional Feather |
Determines lighting angle or direction of effect. |
|
Altitude |
Bevel and Emboss |
Sets height of light source above object. |
|
Blending Mode |
Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Outer Glow, Inner Glow, Satin |
Controls color interaction with underlying objects. |
|
Choke |
Inner Shadow, Inner Glow, Directional Feather, Basic Feather |
Controls opacity within feather/glow area. |
|
Distance |
Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Satin |
Offset distance from object edge. |
|
Noise |
Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Outer Glow, Inner Glow, Basic Feather, Directional Feather |
Adds random elements to opacity. |
|
Opacity |
Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Outer Glow, Inner Glow, Gradient Feather, Bevel and Emboss, Satin |
Determines effect transparency. |
|
Size |
Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Outer Glow, Inner Glow, Satin, Bevel and Emboss |
Determines extent of effect. |
|
Spread |
Drop Shadow, Outer Glow |
Controls transparency within blur area. |
|
Technique |
Outer Glow, Inner Glow, Bevel and Emboss |
Determines edge interaction with background. |
|
Use Global Light |
Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Bevel and Emboss |
Applies uniform lighting angle across all effects in document. |
|
X Offset / Y Offset |
Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow |
Offsets shadow position on horizontal/vertical axis. |
Effect-specific settings
Some settings are unique to specific effects.
|
Setting |
Effect |
Function |
|
Object Knocks Out Shadow |
Drop Shadow |
Object appears in front of its own shadow. |
|
Shadow Honors Other Effects |
Drop Shadow |
Shadow accounts for other transparency effects like feathering. |
|
Source |
Inner Glow |
Determines glow origin. |
|
Style |
Bevel and Emboss |
Determines bevel appearance. |
|
Direction |
Bevel and Emboss |
Sets bevel orientation. |
|
Depth |
Bevel and Emboss |
Specifies bevel/emboss depth. |
|
Soften |
Bevel and Emboss |
Blurs effect to reduce artifacts. |
|
Highlight / Shadow |
Bevel and Emboss |
Sets blending mode and opacity for highlights and shadows. |
|
Invert |
Satin |
Reverses colored and transparent areas. |
|
Corners |
Basic Feather |
Controls corner feathering style. |
|
Feather Width |
Basic Feather, Directional Feather |
Sets fade distance. |
|
Feather Widths |
Directional Feather |
Sets independent fade distances for top, bottom, left, right. |
|
Shape |
Directional Feather |
Determines frame of reference for feather. |
|
Type |
Gradient Feather |
Sets gradient pattern. |
|
Gradient Stops |
Gradient Feather |
Defines opacity points along gradient. |
|
Reverse Gradient |
Gradient Feather |
Inverts gradient direction. |
Note
Effects applied to graphics using the Direct Selection tool remain with the graphic when pasted into a different frame. Effects applied at other levels are tied to the frame or object container.
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