Abstract: A special effects generator for use in video switching whereby a three dimensional shadow effect is produced by utilizing luminance information separately derived from RGB color inputs and providing a separate multiplier to control the shadow density. The generator functions by controllably blanking a portion of one video signal and then replacing such portion by another video signal and switching the displayed video linearly, said switching being controlled by color differences in one of the video signals, and providing luminance information derived from one video signal as a control signal for application to the other video signal so as to reduce the level thereof.