January 2003 DEB Tip: Photoshop--Layer Styles

Last update: 19-feb-03

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January 2003 DEB Tip

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Photoshop: Layer Styles

Photoshop 7 can apply many effects to a layer by applying a layer style. A layer style is a combination of settings that are applied to a layer. These settings can be saved as a preset style and can then be applied to other layers as well.

1. Select the Type tool and type some text on-screen. Highlight the text and set the font to Arial, 18 points, Bold and choose a dark red color. Set the anti-aliasing method to Smooth as well.
NOTE: To change the text color, click the Color selection box in the tool options bar or Character palette, and select a color using the color picker.

2. Use the Move tool to position the text on-screen as desired.
3. Select the text layer and choose the Add a layer style button on the Layers palette.
4 . Select the Drop Shadow option from the Layer style menu. The Layer Style dialogue appears.
5 . Choose or set the following settings:

Blend Mode: Multiply
Opacity: 75%
Set color of shadow: choose the dark red color used on-screen
Angle: 150 (Determines the lighting angle at which the effect is applied to the layer)
Use Global Light: Select to apply the same angle to all effects, giving the appearance of a consistent light source shining on the image.
Distance: 5 pixels (Specifies the offset distance for the shadow effect)
Spread: 5% (Specifies the amount of blurring for the shadow)
Size: 5 pixels (Specifies the size of the shadow)
Contour: Linear (Specifies the fade effect)
Anti-aliased: Select to smooth the shadow
Noise: 0% (Specifies the amount of random elements in the opacity of the shadow; a higher value produces a grainy effect)
Layer knocks out drop shadow: Select to control the drop shadow's visibility in a semitransparent layer.

6. Select the New Style button and name the style, “text drop shadow.” Click OK. Click OK again to close the Layer Style dialogue. Choose Window…Styles. The “text drop shadow” style preset appears in the Styles palette.
7 . Save the file.

Source: This lesson was developed especially for YOU by Debbie Berg :-)

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