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Last time we took a look at the new Layer Styles
feature in Photoshop 6.0, as well as at styles included with the
Photoshop 6.0 package. I hope you have had a chance to play
around with them a bit, as they can be incredibly useful tools
for multiple image continuity and time management.
How can they save time? Well, if you need
similar effects applied to multiple images or layers within an
image, using a saved layer style instantly applies all settings
packed into the style. Shadows, bevels, lighting, contours,
gradients, overlays and other functions are automatically
incorporated into the desired layer with a single mouse click.
These same styles can even be changed and resaved to meet the
needs of the designer, so you are not locked into using an
effect that is close, but not quite, whatyou are looking for.
This week I'm going to walk through tweaking an
existing layer style and resaving. Next week we will create a
Layer Style from scratch.
To begin with, let's look into the styles that shipped with
Photoshop 6.0 again. From the Layer Styles palette, open the
Styles menu and scroll down to ‘Replace Styles…”. You will find
the Styles in the Photoshop 6.0 Directory: Photoshop
6.0>Presets>Styles.
I don't do this very often, but let's work on a
photo this time. I know, I know… why the diversion from text,
Al? Well, we all need a change now and then! Besides, we will
work with text soon enough!
Since we are going to work on a photo, load the
Image Styles batch into the Layer Styles palette. Here is my
starting image:
Now let's go back to the Layer Styles Menu and
switch to Small List viewing Mode. This gives us a small
thumbnail example as well as a name for the Style… this will
help you see what I'm talking about.
To begin with I'm going to make a duplicate of
my image and place it in a new layer. Again, and I can't
emphasize this enough, NEVER alter your original image. If you
were to inadvertently save with the photo looking like a mud
pie…well, it will save some tears if you work on a copy.
So now my image is in it's own layer apart from
the original. With the duplicate layer selected, just start
selecting a few styles to get a handle on what is going on here.
After walking through a few of the styles, I've decided that the
circular vignette looks rather nice, so I'll stick with it. With
one selection of a style, I went from the original image to
this:
Here's a quick peek at the Layers Palette:
Hmmm… well, we can see that a gradient overlay
was applied to the photo, but it might be even more helpful to
take a closer look at what is being applied. Double click the
Gradient Overlay command in the Layers Palette and you should
get a pop up similar to this:
I've trimmed this capture down to fit on the
webpage, but you can clearly see the original settings for this
effect. I'm going to alter the settings a bit, switching the
gradient from Radial to Reflected, and apply a tan inner glow
set to about 80 px. Here's the result:
I'm going to stick with this… hey, any picture
of my kids looks great to me! So suppose I want to save this
style and apply it to other images. Simply double click the
Effects command in the Layers Palette again to bring the windo
back up with your settings. Along the right hand side you will
see a ‘New Style' button just above the preview thumbnail. Click
that, and a pop-up will appear allowing you to name your new
style, as well as allow you to include/exclude Layer Blending
Effects and Layer Blending Options. I'm just going to name this
‘My Photo Style'… I'm not very creative today!
Now when I bring up the Layer Styles Palette, I
can see the style I just created sitting at the bottom of the
list!
I have the option of saving this style
permanently also from the Layer Styles Menu. |