Last Updated on February 22, 2024
Table of Contents
Tip 11: Applying Blend Modes to Layer Styles
Sometimes we need to assign a Blend Mode to a Layer-styled object, but nothing seems to change, especially if Color Overlay or Gradient Overlay are among the effects used in the Layer Style. This happens because Photoshop does not apply Blend Modes to Layer Styles by default.
To apply the Blend Modes to Layer Styles, you need to check the Blend Interior Effects as Group box in the Layer Style dialog box (under Blending Options – Advanced Blending).
The Blend Mode will now be applied to the Layer Style, just like it’s applied to the other contents of the layer.
Tip 12: Stroke Emboss Effect
The Stroke Emboss Style under the Bevel and Emboss effect adds embossing to the layer’s Stroke effect only.
This means that both the Stroke Emboss and the Stroke effect are needed to get a result.
Applying the Stroke Emboss alone will not create any effect, as shown in the upper half of the image below. Adding a Stroke effect will make the Stroke Emboss active, and whenever the Bevel and Emboss or Stroke values are modified, the Stroke Emboss will change accordingly, as shown in the lower part of the image.
Tip 13: Loading Contours
The different Contours can create amazing results for whichever effect they are used with, as they control the shape of the effect and change its appearance. Photoshop comes with a couple of them, but they are not all loaded by default. To access the additional contours, go to Edit -> Preset Manager, and choose Contours from the Preset type drop down menu.
Click the small arrow in the top right corner, and choose Contours.
Click Append to add the new contours to the existing ones.
This will load the additional contours to the preset.
Now, you can access and use those contours wherever they are available inside the Layer Style dialog box.
Tip 14: Copying Vs. Dragging Layer Styles
Sometimes, you might need to apply the same Layer Style to one or more layers. There are two different ways to do so, and each one gives a different outcome as well. To illustrate the difference, the example will assign the values 70% for the Opacity, and 30% for the Fill.
The first way, is to click and drag the “fx” icon from one layer to another.
The Layer Style will be Cut from the original layer, and Pasted to the other one. This means two things: The Layer Effects are the ONLY thing that will be copied, no Blend Modes, Opacity or Fill values will be copied at all. And the other thing is that the Layer Effects will no longer be applied to the original layer, but the Blend Mode, Opacity and Fill values will remain the same.
The second way, which is used more often, is to right click the layer that has the Layer Style, and choose Copy Layer Style, then right click the layer that you want to apply the Layer Style to, (or, if you want to apply the Layer Style to more than one layer, select all of the layers then right click), and choose Paste Layer Style.
This will copy and paste everything, including the Layer Effects, Blend Mode, Opacity and Fill values.
Tip 15: Have Fun with Layer Styles!
Layer Styles are just AWESOME! So have fun whenever you are using them. Hope you found this article helpful. For more useful tutorials don’t forget to subscribe to the RSS-feed and follow Inspirationfeed on Twitter+ Facebook! If you enjoyed the following article we humbly ask you to comment, and help us spread the word!
Pages: 1 2 3Posted by:Rose
I am a Freelance Graphic Designer and the owner of textuts.com. Creating text effects in Photoshop is something I enjoy doing, and I like sharing how to do it too. You can follow me on Twitter, and check my DeviantArt gallery if you like my work.
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