diff --git a/crates/doc/src/item.rs b/crates/doc/src/item.rs
index 9b056b625..68e55a61f 100644
--- a/crates/doc/src/item.rs
+++ b/crates/doc/src/item.rs
@@ -1101,15 +1101,27 @@ impl Item {
         self.path.bounds().unwrap_or(Rect::ZERO)
     }
 
-    /// The box a gradient feather spans, in item space: the path's bounds, or a group's objects'
-    /// (a group has no path of its own).
+    /// The box a gradient feather spans, in item space: the path's bounds, or a group's visible
+    /// objects' (a group has no path of its own). Only the active states contribute, including in
+    /// nested groups. Walk iteratively so deeply nested documents don't exhaust the call stack.
     pub fn feather_bounds(&self) -> Rect {
-        if self.is_group()
-            && let Content::Group { items } = &self.content
-        {
-            return items.iter().map(|c| c.bounds()).reduce(|a, b| a.union(b)).unwrap_or(Rect::ZERO);
+        if !self.is_group() {
+            return self.inner_bounds();
         }
-        self.inner_bounds()
+        let mut stack: Vec<_> = self.shown_children().map(|c| (c.as_ref(), c.xf)).collect();
+        let mut bounds: Option<Rect> = None;
+        while let Some((it, xf)) = stack.pop() {
+            if it.hidden {
+                continue;
+            }
+            if it.is_group() {
+                stack.extend(it.shown_children().map(|c| (c.as_ref(), xf * c.xf)));
+            } else {
+                let b = xf.transform_rect_bbox(it.inner_bounds());
+                bounds = Some(bounds.map_or(b, |have| have.union(b)));
+            }
+        }
+        bounds.unwrap_or(Rect::ZERO)
     }
 
     /// Spread-space geometric bounds (axis-aligned box of the transformed path; groups: union).
@@ -1226,6 +1238,29 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(n, 3);
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn feather_bounds_follow_visible_states_in_nested_groups() {
+        let a = Item::new(ItemId(1), LayerId(1), Shape::Rectangle, shapes::rectangle(Rect::new(10.0, 20.0, 30.0, 40.0)));
+        let mut b = a.clone();
+        b.id = ItemId(2);
+        b.xf = Affine::translate((500.0, 500.0));
+        let mut state = Item::new(ItemId(3), LayerId(1), Shape::Group, PathData::default());
+        state.content = Content::Group { items: vec![Arc::new(a), Arc::new(b)] };
+        state.states = vec!["Visible".into(), "Inactive".into()];
+        assert_eq!(state.feather_bounds(), Rect::new(10.0, 20.0, 30.0, 40.0));
+        state.active_state = 1;
+        assert_eq!(state.feather_bounds(), Rect::new(510.0, 520.0, 530.0, 540.0));
+        state.active_state = 0;
+        state.xf = Affine::translate((5.0, 10.0)) * Affine::scale(2.0);
+        let mut hidden = state.clone();
+        hidden.id = ItemId(4);
+        hidden.hidden = true;
+        hidden.xf = Affine::translate((-1000.0, -1000.0));
+        let mut outer = Item::new(ItemId(5), LayerId(1), Shape::Group, PathData::default());
+        outer.content = Content::Group { items: vec![Arc::new(state), Arc::new(hidden)] };
+        assert_eq!(outer.feather_bounds(), Rect::new(25.0, 50.0, 65.0, 90.0));
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn serde_roundtrip() {
         let mut it = Item::new(ItemId(1), LayerId(1), Shape::Oval, shapes::ellipse(Rect::new(0.0, 0.0, 10.0, 10.0)));
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/paths.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/paths.rs
index 976e892b9..d587526df 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/paths.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/paths.rs
@@ -446,15 +446,17 @@ mod tests {
             ids.push(id);
         }
         let g = s.execute("object.group", &json!({"ids": ids})).unwrap()["id"].as_u64().unwrap();
+        s.execute("transform.move", &json!({"ids": [g], "dx": 20, "dy": 30})).unwrap();
         // The Gradient Feather tool's drag, then by angle (a group has no path of its own: the
-        // gradient spans its objects).
-        for p in [json!({"ids": [g], "from": [100, 150], "to": [300, 150]}), json!({"ids": [g], "angle": 0})] {
+        // gradient spans its objects). The gradient still follows the translated group even
+        // though the mask geometry covers the whole output.
+        for p in [json!({"ids": [g], "from": [120, 180], "to": [320, 180]}), json!({"ids": [g], "angle": 0})] {
             s.execute("object.gradientFeather", &p).unwrap();
             let d = s.doc().unwrap().doc.clone();
             let mut rr = designcraft_render::Renderer::new();
             rr.threads = 0;
             let img = rr.render_page(&d, &s.cache, 0, 1.0, false, &Default::default()).unwrap();
-            let (l, m, r) = (img.pixel(105, 150)[0], img.pixel(200, 150)[0], img.pixel(295, 150)[0]);
+            let (l, m, r) = (img.pixel(125, 180)[0], img.pixel(220, 180)[0], img.pixel(315, 180)[0]);
             assert!(l < 60 && m > l + 40 && r > 220, "{p}: fades left to right on screen: {l} {m} {r}");
             let pdf = designcraft_pdf::export_pdf(&d, &s.cache, &Default::default()).unwrap();
             let pm = designcraft_render::render_pdf_page(&pdf, 0, 400).unwrap();
@@ -463,11 +465,59 @@ mod tests {
                 let c = pm.data()[y * pm.width() as usize + x];
                 c.r as u32 + 255 - c.a as u32
             };
-            let (l, m, r) = (at(105, 150), at(200, 150), at(295, 150));
+            let (l, m, r) = (at(125, 180), at(220, 180), at(315, 180));
             assert!(l < 60 && m > l + 40 && r > 220, "{p}: fades left to right in PDF: {l} {m} {r}");
         }
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn group_gradient_feather_keeps_distant_shadows_and_thick_strokes() {
+        for shadow in [false, true] {
+            let mut s = Session::new();
+            s.execute("file.new", &json!({"width": 400, "height": 400})).unwrap();
+            let mut ids = vec![];
+            for rect in [[120, 120, 170, 170], [175, 120, 225, 170]] {
+                let id = s.execute("frame.create", &json!({"rect": rect})).unwrap()["id"].as_u64().unwrap();
+                s.execute("object.fill", &json!({"ids": [id], "swatch": "[Black]"})).unwrap();
+                if shadow {
+                    s.execute("object.dropShadow", &json!({"ids": [id], "on": true, "distance": 180, "angle": 90, "size": 0, "opacity": 1})).unwrap();
+                } else {
+                    s.execute("object.stroke", &json!({"ids": [id], "swatch": "[Black]", "weight": 180})).unwrap();
+                }
+                ids.push(id);
+            }
+            let g = s.execute("object.group", &json!({"ids": ids})).unwrap()["id"].as_u64().unwrap();
+            // Translate the group so mask geometry and gradient paint exercise distinct spaces.
+            s.execute("transform.move", &json!({"ids": [g], "dx": 30, "dy": 20})).unwrap();
+            let point = if shadow { (175, 345) } else { (175, 60) };
+            let sample = |s: &Session| {
+                let d = &s.doc().unwrap().doc;
+                let mut rr = designcraft_render::Renderer::new();
+                rr.threads = 0;
+                // Zoomed viewport: the mask must extend over every device pixel.
+                let img = rr.render_page(d, &s.cache, 0, 2.0, false, &Default::default()).unwrap();
+                let screen = img.pixel(point.0 * 2, point.1 * 2)[0];
+                let pdf = designcraft_pdf::export_pdf(d, &s.cache, &Default::default()).unwrap();
+                let pm = designcraft_render::render_pdf_page(&pdf, 0, 400).unwrap();
+                let c = pm.data()[point.1 as usize * pm.width() as usize + point.0 as usize];
+                [f32::from(screen), c.r as f32 + 255.0 - c.a as f32]
+            };
+            let before = sample(&s);
+            // The sample lies past either end of the gradient, and outside the old fixed padding.
+            s.execute("object.gradientFeather", &json!({"ids": [g], "from": [130, 120], "to": [130, 220], "start": 40, "end": 80})).unwrap();
+            let after = sample(&s);
+            let opacity = if shadow { 0.8 } else { 0.4 };
+            for (kind, (before, after)) in ["screen", "PDF"].into_iter().zip(before.into_iter().zip(after)) {
+                assert!(before < 120.0, "{kind}, shadow={shadow}: sample contains the effect before feathering: {before}");
+                let expected = 255.0 - (255.0 - before) * opacity;
+                assert!(
+                    (after - expected).abs() < 16.0,
+                    "{kind}, shadow={shadow}: end opacity continues past geometry: {after}, expected {expected}"
+                );
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn create_outlines_turns_text_into_paths() {
         let mut s = Session::new();
diff --git a/crates/pdf/src/export.rs b/crates/pdf/src/export.rs
index 3627fd954..983be9433 100644
--- a/crates/pdf/src/export.rs
+++ b/crates/pdf/src/export.rs
@@ -772,7 +772,7 @@ impl Exporter<'_> {
                 cx: p0.x as f32,
                 cy: p0.y as f32,
                 cr: r,
-                transform: Transform::identity(),
+                transform: tf(xf),
                 spread_method: SpreadMethod::Pad,
                 stops,
                 anti_alias: false,
@@ -784,30 +784,21 @@ impl Exporter<'_> {
                 y1: p0.y as f32,
                 x2: p1.x as f32,
                 y2: p1.y as f32,
-                transform: Transform::identity(),
+                transform: tf(xf),
                 spread_method: SpreadMethod::Pad,
                 stops,
                 anti_alias: false,
             }
             .into()
         };
-        // A group's mask covers its objects (it has no path of its own), with room for text and
-        // strokes past their frames.
-        let area = if it.is_group() {
-            let b = it.feather_bounds();
-            let pad = 36.0 + 0.25 * b.width().max(b.height());
-            b.inflate(pad, pad)
-        } else {
-            it.inner_bounds().inflate(it.stroke.extent() + 4.0, it.stroke.extent() + 4.0)
-        };
+        // The gradient keeps its item-space geometry, but its mask covers the complete exported
+        // area (including bleed), so distant child shadows and thick strokes are never cut off.
         let mut sb = s.stream_builder();
         let mut ms = sb.surface();
-        ms.push_transform(&tf(xf));
-        if let Some(p) = to_path(&area.to_path(0.1)) {
+        if let Some(p) = to_path(&self.clip.to_path(0.1)) {
             ms.set_fill(Some(Fill { paint, opacity: NormalizedF32::ONE, rule: FillRule::NonZero }));
             ms.draw_path(&p);
         }
-        ms.pop();
         ms.finish();
         let stream = sb.finish();
         s.push_mask(krilla::mask::Mask::new(stream, krilla::mask::MaskType::Luminosity));
diff --git a/crates/render/src/fx.rs b/crates/render/src/fx.rs
index 0e1ffd565..dab2e3ad0 100644
--- a/crates/render/src/fx.rs
+++ b/crates/render/src/fx.rs
@@ -64,9 +64,10 @@ fn shadow(sigma: f64, color: peniko::Color) -> Filter {
     })
 }
 
-/// Keep what was drawn in the current layer as much as `it`'s gradient feather says, over `area`
-/// (item space; past the gradient's ends its end opacities carry on).
-pub(crate) fn gradient_feather_mask(ctx: &mut RenderContext, f: &Frame, it: &Item, xf: Affine, area: Rect) {
+/// Keep what was drawn in the current layer as much as `it`'s gradient feather says. Cover the
+/// whole viewport: strokes, text and child effects can extend arbitrarily past the geometry,
+/// and past the gradient's ends its end opacities carry on.
+pub(crate) fn gradient_feather_mask(ctx: &mut RenderContext, f: &Frame, it: &Item, xf: Affine) {
     let gf = &it.effects.gradient_feather;
     let (p0, p1) = gf.points(it.feather_bounds());
     let stop = |o: f32, a: f32| peniko::ColorStop::from((o, peniko::Color::from_rgba8(0, 0, 0, (a.clamp(0.0, 1.0) * 255.0).round() as u8)));
@@ -78,9 +79,9 @@ pub(crate) fn gradient_feather_mask(ctx: &mut RenderContext, f: &Frame, it: &Ite
     };
     ctx.set_transform(Affine::IDENTITY);
     ctx.push_layer(None, Some(BlendMode::new(Mix::Normal, Compose::DestIn)), None, None, None);
-    ctx.set_transform(f.view * xf);
     ctx.set_paint(grad);
-    ctx.fill_rect(&area);
+    ctx.set_paint_transform(f.view * xf);
+    ctx.fill_rect(&Rect::new(0.0, 0.0, f64::from(ctx.width()), f64::from(ctx.height())));
     ctx.reset_paint_transform();
     ctx.pop_layer();
 }
@@ -191,8 +192,7 @@ impl Renderer {
             }
         }
         if gf.on {
-            let area = if xf.determinant().abs() > 1e-12 { xf.inverse().transform_rect_bbox(reach) } else { it.inner_bounds() };
-            gradient_feather_mask(ctx, f, it, xf, area.inflate(4.0, 4.0));
+            gradient_feather_mask(ctx, f, it, xf);
         }
         if gf.on || directional {
             ctx.pop_layer();
diff --git a/crates/render/src/lib.rs b/crates/render/src/lib.rs
index ea942c2c8..cc937a1a2 100644
--- a/crates/render/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/render/src/lib.rs
@@ -502,10 +502,7 @@ impl Renderer {
                 }
             }
             if feather {
-                // Generous: text and strokes reach past their frames.
-                let b = it.feather_bounds();
-                let pad = 36.0 + 0.25 * b.width().max(b.height());
-                fx::gradient_feather_mask(ctx, f, it, xf, b.inflate(pad, pad));
+                fx::gradient_feather_mask(ctx, f, it, xf);
                 ctx.pop_layer();
             }
             if layered {