Create and Modify a Drop Shadow
Work with Outer Glow and Inner Shadow
Create Customized Layer Styles
Create Customized Styles Using the Styles Palette
Layer styles are the very definition of creativity and control when using Adobe Photoshop. Using styles, such as Bevel and Emboss or Drop Shadow, you can move from two-dimensional into the world of three-dimensional. You can effortlessly change the look of a document with Gradient Overlay, Color Overlay, and Pattern Overlay, 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.
When you create a customized layer style, you can move that style to another layer, save the style in the Styles palette, even move the style between two open documents. That kind of flexibility gives you the ability to add consistency to your designs with a minimum of effort, and since layer styles do not change the original image, you can modify or remove the style at any time during the creative process. Not only do layer styles let you create special effects, but they give you the control you need over the image to experiment until you see exactly what you want.
PS 3.5
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. Each layer can have it’s own style, and you can apply more than one style to a single layer. Layer styles can be applied to any layer, except the Background.
Two of Photoshop’s layer styles require transparent and non-transparent layer elements (Drop Shadow and Outer Glow). For example, to apply a Drop Shadow to a layer, it would require a transparent area within the image to hold the shadow.
PS 3.5
To add a layer style to the active layer, select the layer, and apply one or more of the styles by clicking the Add Layer Style button. Once selected, the layer style appears as a sub-element of the active layer. Once applied, layer styles are easy to modify. Each of Photoshop’s layer styles has options to control exactly how the style appears in the active document. To modify a style, just reopen the Layer Style dialog box, and make your changes. In addition, each layer style has its own Show/Hide button. The Show/Hide button is a toggle that lets you temporarily hide the layer styles in the document.
Select the Layers palette.
Select a layer.
Click the Add Layer Style button, and then select from the available style options.
Make changes to the layer style in the dialog box using the options; options vary depending on the layer style.
Click OK.
The selected layer style appears as a sub-element of the active layer.
Select the Layers palette.
Double-click on the attached name of the layer style.
Make changes to the layer style using the options; options vary depending on the layer style.
Click OK.
PS 3.5
The Drop Shadow style is probably the most common layer style used (next to Bevel and Emboss). Since Photoshop needs somewhere to apply the drop shadow, you will need a layer that contains an object surrounded by a transparent Background. For example, you could 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.
You can control the direction of a light source across multiple layers. The Global Light option is very important because it ties the light sources used in multiple layers together. For example, if you create multiple layers with drop shadows, and you change the direction of the shadow in one of the layers, the Global Light option will ensure that all the layers maintain the same direction. The most common shadow angle used is 125 degrees; called the comfortable angle, it directs the shadow down and to the right. Studies show that most people expect the light source to be in the upper-right portion of the image.
Select the Layers palette.
Click the layer you want to apply the Drop Shadow style.
Click the Add Layer Style button, and then click Drop Shadow.
Select from the following Drop Shadow options:
Click OK.
PS 3.5
The Bevel and Emboss 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 and Emboss 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.
Select the Layers palette.
Select the layer you want to apply the Bevel and Emboss style.
Click the Add Layer Style button, and then click Bevel And Emboss.
Select from the available Bevel and Emboss options:
Click OK.
The Contour option redistributes the brightness levels of the shadow and highlights portions of the bevel and emboss. By experimenting with an alternate contour, you can enhance the realism of a bevel, or create a surrealistic emboss.
PS 3.5
The Bevel and Emboss layer styles have two powerful features, the ability to add a contour or texture to the active bevel or emboss. This lets you give your creative elements more of a realistic texture. When you apply the Contour and Texture options, the image takes on a three-dimensional texture, based on a selected pattern. Once applied, the relative depth and intensity of the texture can be precisely controlled to create rough rock-like surfaces, as well as brush metal. In addition, the Contour option lets you shape the appearance of the shadow areas of the texture style, creating even more realistic surfaces.
Select the Layers palette.
Select the layer you want to apply the Bevel and Emboss style.
Click the Add Layer Style button, and then click Bevel And Emboss.
Select the appropriate bevel or emboss.
Click Contour, and then select from the available options:
See “Working with Bevel and Emboss” on page 278 for more information on using the contour option.
Click Texture, and then select from the available options:
Click OK.
PS 3.5
The Color Overlay style covers the elements of a layer with any color you choose. For example, you create some black text and you want to experiment with other colors, without changing the original color values of the text. Or, possibly apply the Blend Mode option, when you want to see how a specific color blends into the image. Whatever the case, Color Overlay temporarily masks the image with whatever color you choose. In addition, you can use the Color Overlay style with other layer styles to produce hundreds, if not thousands, of style combinations.
Select the Layers palette.
Click the layer you want to apply the Color Overlay style.
Click the Add Layer Style button, and then click Color Overlay.
Select from the available Color Overlay options:
Click OK.
PS 3.5
The Stroke Layer 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 Layer style can provide you with many interesting styles.
Select the Layers palette.
Select the layer you want to apply the Stroke Layer style.
Click the Add Layer Style button, and then click Stroke.
Select from the Stroke options:
Click OK.
PS 3.5
Pattern Overlays replace the pixels in the active layer with a specific pattern. Photoshop comes equipped with dozens of pre-existing patterns, or you can create and save your own. Patterns can be used to spice up an otherwise dull area of an image—similar to covering a solid-color wall in your house with decorative wallpaper. When you apply a pattern, the original image is overlaid with the selected pattern, and once that’s accomplished you can use blending modes and opacity to control the effect the pattern has over the original image.
You can use the pattern overlay on a photograph. Normally, a pattern completely covers the original image information; however, if you use the Blending Mode option when you apply the pattern, you can achieve some interesting results. Experiment with photographs and patterns using the Multiply, Screen, and Overlay blending modes to start. The style is a combination of the pattern, blending with the photograph.
Select the Layers palette.
Pattern Overlays, as all of Photoshop’s layer styles, are applied to all the non-transparent pixels in the image. You cannot use selection to control what areas of the image are affected by the layer style.
Click the layer you want to apply the Pattern Overlay style.
Click the Add Layer Style button, and then click Pattern Overlay.
Select from the available Pattern Overlay options:
Click OK.
You can reposition any Pattern Overlay. Click any pattern from the pattern library. However, before you click OK, move into the document window and drag. The pattern is repositioned as you drag. Click the Snap To Origin button to return the pattern to its default position.
PS 3.5
Outer Glow applies a glow in any color you choose to all objects within the active layer. Since the Outer Glow style requires somewhere to work, the objects must be surrounded by transparent pixels. The Outer Glow style is an excellent way to create a neon effect to text. The Inner Shadow style applies a shadow to the inside of an object. Since the shadow is applied directly to the image, the Inner Shadow style does not require an image surrounded by transparent pixels. When you apply the Inner Shadow style, the shadow effect appears on the inside edges of the image—like a reverse drop shadow.
You can create realistic neon using the outer glow layer style and text. Just create a text layer using a rounded font, such as Arial Rounded, or Brush, and then choose a neon color for the font, such as red or yellow. Apply an outer glow using a light yellow for the glow color. Place the text against a black Background layer (for effect), and then tweak the glow options until you see a realistic glow appear around the text. Add a Bevel and Emboss style to the text to complete the effect of a glowing neon sign.
Select the Layers palette.
Click the layer you want to apply the Outer Glow style.
Click the Add Layer Style button, and then click Outer Glow.
Select from the available Outer Glow options:
For example, 50 percent opacity would let 50 percent of the original image colors blend with the Outer Glow.
Contours are mathematical curves that determine the brightness of the glow at different levels.
Click Inner Shadow from the available styles.
Select from the available Inner Shadow options:
Click OK.
PS 3.5
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. Once you apply the inner glow, you can control the color size and intensity of the glow style to create the exact special effect you’re after. You can also apply the Outer Glow style to the image, and the glow effect spreads out into the surrounding transparent areas of the layer.
You can create realistic chiseled text using the Inner Glow style.
Just create some white text, and apply an inner glow using a dark gray inner glow color. Add a dark Background layer, and the text appears as if it’s chiseled into the background.
Select the Layers palette.
Click the layer you want to apply the Inner Glow style.
Click the Add Layer Style button, and then click Inner Glow.
Select from the available Inner Glow options:
Click OK.
PS 3.5
Layer styles can be one or a combination of many styles. For example, you could create a layer style that includes a stroke, inner bevel, and gradient overlay. Once you create a layer style, its possible you might want to use it again. If that’s the case, Photoshop gives you an easy way to create a layer style directly from the Layer Style dialog box, or using the Styles palette. Creating customized styles is a great time-saving feature, and not only speeds up the process of applying a style to a layer, but ensures that the style is applied in exactly the same way. That gives your designs a consistent look and feel.
Select the Layers palette.
Click the layer in which you want to apply a layer style.
Click the Add Layer Style button, and then click a style.
To add a style to an existing style, select the style from the styles list.
To modify an existing style, select from the various style options.
You can combine elements of one layer style with another. Drag from one layer style into another. If you have two layers, both containing layer styles, and you want the drop shadow from one layer style added to the second layer, simply drag the drop shadow layer element to the other layer, to create a copy of the drop shadow. In addition, you can drag layer styles between two open documents.
Click New Style, and then select from the following options:
Click OK.
Click OK.
If you open the Styles palette, you’ll see the new style is added to the bottom of the current list.
PS 3.5
Creating customized styles using the Styles palette requires you have a layer with an applied style, and you want to save the style. If you do, you’re only a button click away from saving the style into the Styles palette. When you create a layer style, the style appears as a sub-element of the layer. For example, creating a drop shadow, and inner glow layer style creates two sub-elements directly below the layer the styles were attached—one for the drop shadow and one for the inner glow. When you save a customized style, you select a layer, not an individual style, and save all the sub elements of that layer. To save a customized style with only the inner glow, you must first drag the drop shadow to the Delete Layer button.
Select the Layers palette.
Select a layer that contains a layer style.
Select the Styles palette.
Move to the bottom of the Styles palette, and then click your mouse when you see the cursor change to a paint bucket.
You can download additional styles from Adobe. In your Web browser, go to www.adobe.com and navigate to Adobe Studio Exchange for more styles.
Select from the following options:
Click OK.
If you open the Styles palette, you’ll see the new style is added to the bottom of the current list.
You can share your styles with other Photoshop users. First click the Styles Options button, and then click Save Styles. The styles are now a file that can be e-mailed to any other Photoshop user. All the user has to do is click the Styles Options button, and then click the Load Styles option to load and use the new styles.
Once a layer style is applied to a layer, it can be moved to other layers, or into another document. This kind of flexibility and control lets you create specific layer styles and then apply them effortlessly to other layers or move them into other documents. In most cases it would make sense to save the style in the Styles palette. However, there are those times when you will only use the style once or twice. In that instance, a quick drag and drop is the most efficient way.
Select the Layers palette.
Click a layer that contains a layer style.
Click the triangle to expand the grouped layer styles.
Press the Alt (Win) or Option (Mac) key, and drag the grouped layer over another layer.
Photoshop makes a copy of all the styles and applies them to the new layer.
You can move individual styles between layers. Drag the named style, instead of the Effects group to move a single layer style instead of the entire group. When you release your mouse, the single layer style will be copied and applied to the new image.