Two-Color Three-Dimensional Blocks and Text

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Chris Coyier on (Updated on )

We can use multiple text-shadow and box-shadow values to create a three-dimensional look to blocks or text, like this screenshot of David DeSandro’s footer. However in that example, the “three dimesional” part is a solid color.

By alternating colors back and forth in the “stacking order” of our box or text shadow declaration, we can simulate a more three dimensional / lighted effect.

text-shadow:   1px 0px #eee, 0px 1px #ccc,
               2px 1px #eee, 1px 2px #ccc,
               3px 2px #eee, 2px 3px #ccc,
               4px 3px #eee, 3px 4px #ccc,
               5px 4px #eee, 4px 5px #ccc,
               6px 5px #eee, 5px 6px #ccc,
               7px 6px #eee, 6px 7px #ccc,
               8px 7px #eee, 7px 8px #ccc,
               8px 8px #eee;

Example