Drop shadow on text

Question

I am looking to add drop shadow to text on an image using PHP.

I am aware on how to add text to images and how some libraries allow you to add block shadowing, but I cannot see any which allow you to add a faded drop shadow.

Is this possible?

Answer 1

What you want is Imagick::shadowImage ( float $opacity , float $sigma , int $x , int $y )

Here's an example where I put a drop shadow on some text and then superimpose that on a background image...

$background_layer = new Imagick('poster_pic_01.jpg'); # background image

$text_layer = new Imagick('transparent400.png'); # empty transparent png of the same size
$text_layer->annotateImage( $ImagickDraw, $pad_left, $pad_top, 0, "Your text here" );

/* create drop shadow on it's own layer */
$shadow_layer = $text_layer->clone(); 
$shadow_layer->setImageBackgroundColor( new ImagickPixel( 'black' ) ); 
$shadow_layer->shadowImage( 75, 5, 5, 5 ); 

/* composite original text_layer onto shadow_layer */
$shadow_layer->compositeImage( $text_layer, Imagick::COMPOSITE_OVER, 0, 0 ); 

/* composite shadow_layer (which now has text AND the shadow) onto image_layer */
$background_layer->compositeImage( $shadow_layer, Imagick::COMPOSITE_OVER, 0, 0 ); 

Hope this helps,

Roger

Answer 2

GD can't do this out of the box. If you can, use ImageMagick. Examples on how to do shaped shadows here.