Layer Styles

Layer styles is a new feature in “PSP X2”.
With this new feature, we can apply more effects to a layer without using the “Layer Properties” dialog box.
To apply layer styles, double click in the palette “Layers” and in “Layer Properties” select the tab “Layer Styles”.

Important: Layer Styles can be applied only to raster and vector layers.
In this example we have text which is always a vector layer, double-click it and click the “Layer Styles” tab.

In the “Layer Styles” tab we find six effects:
“Reflection”, “Outer Glow”,” Bevel”,”Emboss”, ‘Inner Glow’ and “Drop Shadow”.
Each style has two or more options.
I will quickly go through them.

For the style, “Reflection” (1) we have “Size”, “Opacity” and “Reflection Distance” options.
With the “size” option (2) we determine the rate at which the reflection fades.
With the “Opacity” option (3) we determine the strength of the brightness of the reflection.
With the red line control (4), we determine reflectivity distance about the horizontal axis about which the layer data is to be reflected.

For the “Outer Glow” style we have “Size”, “Opacity” and “Color” options.
With the “Size” option we determine how far the glow extends outside the layer data.
With the “Opacity” option we determine the power and visibility of the layer.
With the “Color” option we determine the color of the glow.

For the “Bevel” style we have” Size “,”Opacity”,” Color “and ” Exposure Control ” options.
With the “Size” option we determine the distance from the outer edge of the layer data to the extent of the bevel.
With the “Opacity” option we determine the lightness intensity and visibility of the bevel.
With the “Color” option we determine the color of the bevel.
With the “Exposure Control” option we determine the direction and distance of the light where the effect is applied.

For the style “Emboss” we have the ” Size “,”Opacity “and” Exposure Control ” options.
With the “Size” option we determine the distance from the outer edge of the layer data to the extent of the embossing.
With the “Opacity” option we determine lightness intensity and visibility of the embossing.
With the “Exposure Control” option we determine the direction and distance of the light where the effect is applied.

For the “Inner Glow” style we have the same options as that of the “Outer Glow” style. The only difference is that it gives a glow on the inside instead of on the outside.

Finally we have the “Shadow” style. This has four options, namely, “Size”, “Opacity”, “Color” and “Exposure Control”.
With the “Size” option we determine the distance between the layer data and the shadow.
With the “Opacity” option we determine the power of clarity and visibility of the shadow.
With the “Color” option we determine the color of the shadow.

With the last option for the Layer, we determine the visibility of the layer data.
The “Opacity” slider can be moved to change the light intensity and visibility of the layer data.

I could go on explaining the rest of the options but there are many styles which you can apply to a layer.

 

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