Layer styles are the very definition of creativity and control when using Photoshop Elements. Using styles, such as Bevel or Drop Shadow, you can move from two-dimensional into the world of three-dimensional. You can effortlessly change the look of an image, and you can do it all without ever changing the original image. That means you can apply a style to an image, and at any time in the creative process, change your mind. This level of control gives you the power you need to take your designs to the creative edge and beyond.
A photo effect is a photographic technique applied to all or part of an image. Photoshop Elements comes with 6 predefined sets of photo effects, which includes Faded Photo, Frame, Misc. Effects, Monotone Color, Old Photo, and Vintage Photo. You can display the different photo effect types in the Effects palette using the Photo Effects button and the Type list arrow.
In addition to layer styles and photo effects, you can also apply a variety of artwork, themes, and text styles to images or projects using the Content palette. Photoshop Elements comes with 6 pre-defined sets of styles, which includes Background, Frames, Graphics, Shapes, Text Effects, and Themes. Each one of the style sets displays thumbnail examples you can add or apply to an image.
Photoshop Elements comes with 14 predefined sets of layer styles. You can display the different layer style types in the Effects palette using the Layer Styles button and the Type list arrow. The layer style types include Bevels, Complex, Drop Shadow, Glass Buttons, Imaged Effects, Inner Glows, Inner Shadows, Outer Glows, Patterns, Photographic Effects, Visibility, Wow Chrome, Wow Neon, and Wow Plastic. Each one of the layer style types displays thumbnail examples you can add or apply to an image.
Layer styles are applied to the layers in the active document. When you add a style to a layer, the results of the style are only displayed in that layer and a starburst icon (fx) appears to the right of the layer’s name in the Layers palette. You can apply more than one style to a layer, where each style is applied to the others, to create a complex effect. Layer styles can be applied to any layer, except the Background.
In addition to applying the pre-defined layer styles, you can also use the Style Settings dialog box to edit the settings of a layer’s style or apply other available style options, which includes Lighting Angle, Shadow Distance, Outer or Inner Glow Size, Bevel Size or Direction, and Stroke Size or Opacity.
To add a layer style to the active layer, select the layer, and apply one or more of the styles by using the Layer Styles button in the Effects palette. Once applied, layer styles are easy to modify. Each of the layer styles has options to control exactly how the style appears in the active document. If you don’t like the results of the layer style, you can undo it. If you want to hide all the layer style effects to view the original image, you can use the Hide All Effects command, which toggles to the Show All Effects button.
In the Editor, display the Layers palette and Effects palette.
Select a layer.
Click the Layer Styles button in the Effects palette.
Click the Type list arrow, and then click Show All or select the layer style type you want.
Select the style you want in the Effects palette.
Click Apply.To undo the results, click the Undo button on the Shortcuts bar.
Once applied, layer styles are easy to modify. Each of the layer styles has options to control exactly how the style appears in the active document. To modify a style, just open the Layer Style dialog box, and make your changes. If the size of a layer style is too big or small, you can change the scale to decrease or increase the effect. Once you like a layer style, you can copy the style settings between layers.
- In the Editor, display the Layers palette.
- Double-click the starburst icon (fx) in the Layers palette containing the layer style you want to change.
- To preview the changes in your image, select the Preview check box.
- Make changes to the layer style using the options; options vary depending on the layer style.
- Click OK.
- In the Editor, display the Layers palette.
- Select the layer in the Layers palette containing the layer style you want to change.
- Click the Layer menu, point to Layer Style, and then click Scale Effects.
- To preview the changes in your image, select the Preview check box.
- Enter the scale percentage you want based on the current one. If 100% appears, 200% doubles it.
- Click OK.
- In the Editor, display the Layers palette.
- Select the source layer in the Layers palette containing the layer style you want to copy.
- Click the Layer menu, point to Layer Style, and then click Copy Layer Style.
- Select the destination layer in the Layers palette.
- Click the Layer menu, point to Layer Style, and then click Paste Layer Style.
The Drop Shadow style is probably the most common layer style used (next to Bevel and Glow). Since Photoshop Elements needs somewhere to apply the drop shadow, you will need a layer that contains an object surrounded by a transparent Background. For example, you can create a type layer or use the shape drawing tools to create a unique object, add a drop shadow with the click of the mouse, and then use the layer style options to controls the color, shape, and direction of the shadow. Once the shadow is created, it can be transferred to other objects in other layers—not only making the process easy, but consistent.
- In the Editor, display the Layers palette and Effects palette.
- Select a layer with a drop shadow or apply one to a layer.
Create. Click the Layer Styles button in the Effects palette, Click the Type list arrow, and then click Drop Shadows, and then double-click the style you want.
- Double-click the starburst icon (fx) in the Layers palette containing the layer style you want to change.
- To preview the changes in your image, select the Preview check box.
- To adjust the lighting angle, enter a value from 0 to 360 degrees, or drag the radius slider left or right to set the angle of the lighting.
- Click the triangle to expand the Drop Shadow settings, if necessary, and then select the Drop Shadow check box.
Select from the following Drop Shadow style settings:Opacity. Specify an Opacity percentage value for the shadow, or drag the slider left or right (default: 75 percent).
Size. Enter a value from 0 to 250 pixels, or drag the slider left or right. Size determines the amount of blur applied to the shadow.
Distance. Enter a value from 0 to 30000 pixels, or drag the slider left or right. Distance determines the amount the shadow is offset from the original image.
Color. Click the Color Swatch, and then select a color for the shadow (default: Black).
Click OK.
The Bevel style, second only to Drop Shadow in popularity, creates the 3-D illusion of roundness to a flat surface. You can apply the Bevel layer style to text, to get the impression of 3-D text. If the layer you’re applying the Bevel to has no transparent areas, the style will be applied to the outer edge of the image, and if you want to move away from the standard rounded bevel, you can now use a Chisel Hard Technique, that makes a bevel appear as if it’s carved out of stone.
- In the Editor, display the Layers palette and Effects palette.
- Select a layer with a bevel or apply one to a layer.
Create. Click the Layer Styles button in the Effects palette, click the Type list arrow, click Bevel, and then double-click the style you want.
- Double-click the starburst icon (fx) in the Layers palette containing the layer style you want to change.
- To preview the changes in your image, select the Preview check box.
- To adjust the lighting angle, enter a value from 0 to 360 degrees, or drag the radius slider left or right to set the angle of the lighting.
- Click the triangle to expand the Bevel settings, if necessary, and then select the Bevel check box.
- Select from the following Bevel style settings:
Size. Enter a value from 0 to 250 pixels, or drag the slider left or right. Size determines how much is used to create the Bevel style.
Distance. Select the Up or Down check box to reverse the highlight and shadows of the Bevel.
- Click OK.
The Outer Glow style applies a glow in any color you choose to all objects within the active layer, while the Inner Glow style creates the appearance of a glow on the inside of a layer object. For example, creating black text and applying an inner glow style, changes the object by lightening the edges of the text. When you apply the Inner Shadow style, the shadow effect appears on the inside edges of the image—like a reverse drop shadow. When applying an outer glow style, the glow effect spreads out into the surrounding transparent areas of the layer. Once you apply the inner or outer glow, you can control the color size and intensity of the glow style to create the exact special effect you’re after.
- In the Editor, display the Layers palette and Effects palette.
- Select a layer with an outer glow or apply one to a layer.
Create. Click the Layer Styles button in the Effects palette, click the Type list arrow, click Outer Glows, and then double-click the style you want.
- Double-click the starburst icon (fx) in the Layers palette containing the layer style you want to change.
- To preview the changes in your image, select the Preview check box.
- To adjust the lighting angle, enter a value from 0 to 360 degrees, or drag the radius slider left or right to set the angle of the lighting.
- Click the triangle to expand the Glow settings, if necessary, and then select the Glow check box.
- To set inner glow options, select the Inner check box, and then select from the following Inner Glow style settings:
Size. Enter 1 to 250 pixels to define the width of the inner glow.
Opacity. Enter an amount, or drag the slider left or right. Opacity determines how much of the inner glow masks the original image pixels (default: 100).
Color. Click the color box, and then select a color.
- To set outer glow options, select the Outer check box, and then select from the following Outer Glow style settings:
Size. Enter 1 to 250 pixels to define the width of the outer glow.
Opacity. Enter an amount, or drag the slider left or right. Opacity determines how much of the outer glow masks the original image pixels (default: 100).
Color. Click the color box, and then select a color.
Click OK.
The Stroke style lets you apply a stroke around any layer object. Since the stroke will be applied to the edge of the object, it must be surrounded by transparent pixels. For example, you could use the stroke feature to apply a solid color or gradient stroke to a group of text, or apply a stroke around an image. Strokes are not limited to solid colors, you can also use gradients, and even patterns as a stroke. The Stroke style can provide you with many interesting styles.
- In the Editor, display the Layers palette and Effects palette.
- Select a layer with the stroke you want to change.
- Double-click the starburst icon (fx) in the Layers palette containing the layer style you want to change.
- To preview the changes in your image, select the Preview check box.
- To adjust the lighting angle, enter a value from 0 to 360 degrees, or drag the radius slider left or right to set the angle of the lighting.
- Click the triangle to expand the Stroke settings, if necessary, and then select the Stroke check box.
- Select from the following Stroke style settings:
Size. Enter 1 to 250 pixels to define the width of the stroke.
Opacity. Enter an amount, or drag the slider left or right. Opacity determines how much of the Stroke masks the original image pixels (default: 100).
Color. Click the color box, and then select a color.
- Click OK.
A photo effect is a photographic technique applied to all or part of an image. Photoshop Elements comes with 6 pre-defined sets of photo effects, which includes Faded Photo, Frame, Misc. Effects, Monotone Color, Old Photo, and Vintage Photo. Each one of the style sets displays thumbnail examples you can add or apply to an image. You can display the different photo effect types in the Effects palette using the Photo Effects button and the Type list arrow.
The photo effects are grouped into three categories: Frame, Image Effects, and Textures. Frame photo effects, such as Drop Shadow, are applied to the edges of the selection. Image photo effects, such as Neon Glow or Blizzard, are applied to the selection. Texture photo effects are applied to the selection, which includes a new image as a background or an existing image.
Photo effects are applied to an entire layer or a selection portion of an image in the active document. By applying different photo effects to different layers, you can create interesting images.
Faded Photo
Frame
Misc. Effects
Monochrome Color
Old Photo
Vintage Photo
A photo effect is a photographic technique applied to all or part of an image. Photoshop Elements comes with 6 pre-defined sets of photo effects, which includes Faded Photo, Frame, Misc. Effects, Monotone Color, Old Photo, and Vintage Photo. You can display the different photo effect types in the Effects palette using the Photo Effects button and the Type list arrow.
- In the Editor, display the Layers palette and Effects palette.
- Select the part of the image you want to apply the photo effect.
Entire Layer. Select the layer in the Layers palette.
Layer Portion. Select the layer in the Layers palette, and then use the selection tool to select the area you want.
- Click the Photo Effects button in the Effects palette.
- Click the Type list arrow, and then click Show All or select the photo effect type you want.
- Select the effect you want in the Effects palette.
- Click Apply.
To undo the results, click the Undo button on the Shortcuts bar.
- If prompted, flatten the image with multiple layers.
The Content palette provides easy access to a variety of artwork, themes, and text styles you can apply to images or projects (New!). Photoshop Elements comes with 6 pre-defined sets of styles, which includes Background, Frames, Graphics, Shapes, Text Effects, and Themes. Each one of the style sets displays thumbnail examples you can add or apply to an image.
You can display the different style types in the Content palette using sort and category options. The Sort list arrow allows you to sort the content in a variety of ways, including by Type, Activity, Color, Event, Mood, Object, Seasons, Style, and Word. After you select a sort option, you can use the Category list arrow to further filter the styles.
The Content palette includes a variety shapes and graphics you can quickly add to your images (New!). When you add a shape—such as an arrow or icon—or graphic—such as a banner—to an image, the item is placed in a new layer, which doesn’t affect the original image. After you place a shape or graphic, you can use the Move tool to move or resize the object. In addition to adding shapes and graphics, you can also add a stylized background to replace the existing background layer.
- In the Editor, display the Content palette.
- Click the Filter for Graphics or Filter for Shapes button in the Content palette, or use the list arrows to select By Type and Graphics or Shapes.
- For a shape, click a color in the toolbox.
- Select the shape or graphic you want in the Contents palette.
- Click Apply.
To undo the results, click the Undo button on the Shortcuts bar.
- To move or resize the shape or graphic, use the Move tool, and then click Commit or Cancel.
- In the Editor, display the Content palette and Layers palette.
- Select the Background layer in the Layers palette.
- Click the Filter for Background button in the Content palette, or use the list arrows to select By Type and Background.
- Select the background you want in the Contents palette.
- Click Apply.
To undo the results, click the Undo button on the Shortcuts bar.
If you have a photo project in Photoshop Elements, you can add a frame or theme to an image. The frames and themes (New!) are available in the Contents palette. After you apply a frame, you need to drag the photo project image from the Project Bin to the frame, which appears with a blank gray area for the image.
- In the Editor, display the Content palette.
- Click the Filter for Themes or Filter for Frames button in the Content palette, or use the list arrows to select By Type and Themes or Frames.
- Select the theme or frame you want in the Contents palette.
- Click Apply.
To undo the results, click the Undo button on the Shortcuts bar.
A frame appears with a blank gray area for the image.
- Drag the image from the Project Bin to the frame.
- Use the slider to resize the image in the frame or theme border.
- Click the Commit (green check mark) or Cancel (red circle with a line through it) button under the bounding box.
- To center the image, use the Move tool, and then click Commit or Cancel.
If you want to add text to an image, you can stylize it using text style effects in the Content palette (New!). When you add text to an image, Photoshop Elements automatically creates a new text layer and adds the text to it, so the text doesn’t affect the original image. When you select and apply a text style, a text frame appears over the image with the Text tool on the toolbox selected. You can type the text you want and make any changes you want using options on the toolbox or Options bar.
- In the Editor, display the Content palette.
- Click the Filter for Text button in the Content palette, or use the list arrows to select By Type and Type.
- Select the text style you want in the Contents palette.
- Click Apply.
To undo the results, click the Undo button on the Shortcuts bar.
A text frame appears over the image with the Text tool on the toolbox selected.
- Type in the new text, make any changes within the text box, and then click outside the text to deselect it.
- Use the Move tool on the toolbox to move or resize the text box, or use the Color palette on the Options bar to add color to the text, and then click Commit or Cancel.
If you use the same layer style, photo effect, or filter in the Effects palette or the same filter in the Content palette, you can add them to the Favorites palette for quick and easy access later. If your favorites list gets too long or you no longer use a favorite, you can remove it from the Favorites palette.
- In the Editor, display the Effects palette and/or Content palette.
- Display the effect or artwork thumbnail you want to add to the favorites list.
- Right-click the thumbnail, and then click Add to Favorites.
The effect or artwork is added to the Favorites palette.
- To display the Favorites palette, click the Window menu, and then click Favorites.
- To use the effects in the Favorites palette, double-click a style or drag an effect onto the layer.
To undo the results, click the Undo button on the Shortcuts bar.
- To remove a thumbnail from the Favorites palette, select the thumbnail, and then click the Delete Favorite button.
- When you’re done, click the Close button in the Favorites palette.
