Bug 511772

Summary:	Applying shadows to titlebar causes visibility issue
Product:	[Plasma] kwin	Reporter:	Sauf <hsaom>
Component:	decorations	Assignee:	KWin default assignee <kwin-bugs-null>
Status:	RESOLVED LATER
Severity:	minor
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	unspecified
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Arch Linux
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:
Attachments:	Mac OS shadows Windows 11 shadows

Description Sauf 2025-11-07 12:49:04 UTC

Created attachment 186583 [details]
Mac OS shadows

SUMMARY
Contrary to Mac OS and Windows 11, KWin applies shadows to tilebar (refer to screenshots). This causes lower contrast and visibility to below window. This is mostly apparent in lower shadow strength.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Set Theme to Breeze light
2. Set shadow strength to 55% from Global Theme > Window Decorations > Breeze > Shadows and Outline

OBSERVED RESULT
It feels a gradient with out sharp and distinct from environment. It is harder to "find exact tilebar margin"

EXPECTED RESULT
Don't apply shadows to tilebar (top header border) like MacOS and Windows 11.

Operating System: Arch Linux 
KDE Plasma Version: 6.5.1
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.19.0
Qt Version: 6.10.0
Kernel Version: 6.17.6-arch1-1 (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: Wayland

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
There's a related post on KDE Discuss: https://discuss.kde.org/t/ui-suggestion-make-breeze-shadow-strength-lower/

Comment 1 Sauf 2025-11-07 12:49:53 UTC

Created attachment 186584 [details]
Windows 11 shadows