Scribus does not support fuzzy drop shadow for the simple reason that fuzzy gradients and transparency does not exist as such in print process, so that scribus developers prefer to put their efforts on something more reliable and useful. However, many users would like it. I’ve spent some time to add an equivalent feature using python script and tkinter. This script does not change the Scribus basic behavior but a group a frame can be positioned under another, modified copies of the first taking into account various parameters provided by that user. It ‘s obviously not as quite good as InDesign’s but it is a first step. You can of course leave your impressions here and suggest improvements.

changelog :

V3 release of Sept 20th 2010 added the support of any kind of shape as well as rounded corners enhancement on rectangles via a new checkbox Add round corners.

The parameters are as follows:

Drop Shadow à l'action : état avec V2 et apport de V3

• distance x: horizontal distance between object and master ‘s shadow, if negative, going to left
• distance y: vertical distance between the object and master ‘s, if negative, going to top
• quality: determines the number of copies, the number of possible transition between the darkest part of the shadow and the lightest
• attenuation: Sets the length of the blur ‘s shadow, located beyond the distance. The attenuation and quality are interdependent. Proper adjustment should take into account an attenuation being 3 times the quality
• opacity: set maximum darkness of the shadow
• Userealtransparency: You can use transparency instead of shade to define the steps of the shadow (beware of PDF export)
• Color: choose color ‘ s shadow; colors available same as those define in scribus swatch.
• Add round corners : if checked, rounded corners are added to the shadow and it will considered as rectangle. If not checked, the shape of the frame is kept for the shadow.

To make this script work:

1. download it in dropshadowTk3 for Scribus
2. install your file in .scribus/plugins directory
3. select an object in your page (you can’t actually apply the script to multiple objects) in Scribus
4. use the Script menu> Run a script and select the script from your directory, it will then appear in the recently used lately.