Using the Layer Style Dialog Box

There are several ways you can apply a layer style to a layer. First, select an individual layer in the Layers palette and then do one of the following:
- Choose Layer --> Layer Style and select an effect from the submenu list.
- Click the Add Layer Style button at the bottom of the Layers palette (the one with the fx icon), and choose an effect from the list.
- Double-click anywhere in the area surrounding the layer’s name in the Layers palette (double-clicking the name itself allows you to change the layer’s name by typing).

Applying a layer style by using any of these methods automatically launches the Layer Style dialog box. In the dialog, there is a menu on the left that allows you to choose which effects you’d like to enable. Click the check box next to an effect’s name (or the name itself) to turn it on. Doing so automatically displays the controls for the chosen effect on the right side of the dialog.

Note that when you select a layer style from the Layer Style submenu or select an effect from the list when clicking the Add Layer Style button, the dialog automatically appears with the panel for the chosen effect displayed, and the effect already enabled. Alternatively, double-clicking a layer from the Layers palette opens the Layer Style dialog with the Blending Options panel displayed and no effects enabled. Each layer style contains its own settings; however, many of the controls are available for more than one effect and they operate in the same way. For example, there is a blend mode option available in the control set for every effect. Despite the similarities, there are still far too many controls to explain each one in a single chapter. The best way to become familiar with them is to experiment. Apply a layer style, play around with the control settings, and use the Preview option to decide whether you like what you see. You’ll notice as you experiment that many of the controls are self-explanatory and the dialog is very intuitive.

Here are some things to take note of when working with layer style effects and the Layer Style dialog:
- Layer styles cannot be applied to the Background layer.
- Unless multiple layers are grouped into a smart object first, layer styles can be applied to only a single selected layer at a time—not to multiple selected layers or to layer groups.
- You can combine multiple layer style effects on a single layer.
- Layer styles are attached to the layer. Therefore, when you move the layer in the Layers palette, the effects tag along.
- Type layers remain editable even after a layer style effect is applied.
- Layer styles can be copied from one layer to another.
- Photoshop displays applied layer style effects as items in the Layers palette. The list of effects can be expanded or collapsed by clicking the triangle icon next to the layer’s fx icon in the palette.
- Clicking the familiar eye icon next to each effect’s name in the Layers palette temporarily disables the layer style. Click the eye next to the word Effects to temporarily disable all the applied layer styles for that layer.
- Lowering the Fill percentage in the Layers palette reduces the opacity of the layer, but not the applied layer styles.
- The Global Light option in the Layer Style dialog box tells Photoshop to apply the same angle to all direction-dependent effects, such as Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, and Bevel And Emboss. The idea here is to simulate consistent real-world lighting.
- For Shadow and Glow effects, use the Size slider to soften the effect.
- Layer styles can be applied to smart objects along with “smart filters.”
- Combinations of layer style effects can be saved for later use in the Styles palette.