# PhotoshopElements

# About layer styles

Layer styles let you quickly apply effects to an entire layer. In the Effects palette, you can view a variety of predefined layer styles and apply a style with just a click of the mouse.

Three different layer styles applied to text

The boundaries of the effect are automatically updated when you edit that layer. For example, if you apply a drop shadow style to a text layer, the shadow changes automatically when you edit the text.

Layer styles are cumulative, which means that you can create a complex effect by applying multiple styles to a layer. You can apply one style from each style library per layer. You can also change a layer’s style settings to adjust the final result.

When you apply a style to a layer, a starburst icon appears to the right of the layer’s name in the Layers palette. Layer styles are linked to the layer contents. When you move or edit the contents of the layer, the effects are modified correspondingly.

Once you choose Layer > Layer Style > Style Settings, you can edit the settings of a layer’s style or apply other style settings or attributes available in the dialog box.

Lighting Angle
  Specifies the lighting angle at which the effect is applied to the layer.

Shadow Distance
  Specifies the distance of a drop shadow from the layer’s content. You can also set the size and opacity with the sliders.

Outer Glow Size
  Specifies the size of a glow that emanates from the outside edges of the layer’s content. You can also set the opacity with the slider.

Inner Glow Size
  Specifies the size of a glow that emanates from the inside edges of the layer’s content. You can also set the opacity with the slider.

Bevel Size
  Specifies the size of beveling along the inside edges of the layer’s content.

Bevel Direction
  Specifies the direction of the bevel, either up or down.

Stroke Size
  Specifies the size of the stroke.

Stroke Opacity
  Specifies the opacity of the stroke.

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- Using the Effects palette

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- This page on the Web