Shadows: Rule 4 - Shadows Ignore Gradients

When a drop shadow is applied to a shape containing a gradient fill (whether a solid color-to-color gradient or an alpha fade to transparent), the shadow does not mirror that gradient. The shadow is generated based on it's options (color, radius, and offsets).

• The rendering engine calculates the shadow based exclusively on the mathematical outer boundary (the vector outline) of the shape. It will cast a solid, uniform shadow regardless of the internal color fades.

The image analysis shows the two specific behaviors which prove the rendering engine treats the shape as a binary silhouette, regardless of what is happening inside the “container”

• Uniformity of Color: Even though the left shape transitions from a vibrant Red to a deep Blue, the shadow remains a perfectly consistent, uniform grey/black blur. It does not “bleed” red or blue into the shadow radius.
• Uniformity of Density: On the right shape, where the fill fades toward transparency with it's Alpha designation, the shadow does not fade with it. It maintains the exact same thickness and opacity around the entire circumference. This proves the engine only addresses the mathematical “Vector Outline” of the oval, not the pixels inside.