| » Forum Index » Reader's Tutorials » Topic: A really simple and useful 'hidden' feature in applying layer effects. |
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Posted on 20/06/24 1:40:21 PM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5301 Reply  |
A really simple and useful 'hidden' feature in applying layer effects.
I am constantly surprised by the tiny simple things I didn't know about photoshop. Here's a wonderfully simple little wheeze, when using Layer Effects, that I have only just discovered. I never knew that, as well as using the controls in the Layer Effects dialogue panel, you can manipulate some of them directly in the image. This is wonderfully useful for drop shadows for example. If you are new to this idea, this is how it works: Double click your layer in the Layers palette to open the Layer Style dialogue. Select Drop Shadow. Now click anywhere in the image and drag. You can move the shadow around directly in the image! This can be much faster and easier than playing with the sliders. This technique only works with certain effects. It's easy to tell which from the cursor. Regardless of whatever tool you have selected at the time, opening the Layer Style dialogue will turn the tool into either the Hand tool or the Move tool. If the cursor becomes the Move tool then direct manipulation of the effect in the image is available, if it becomes the Hand tool then direct manipulation is not available. For the record, the effects that can be adjusted in this way are: Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Gradient Overlay, Pattern Overlay and Satin. I have no idea whether this post will be a tiny revelation (as it was for me) or simply an embarrassing exposure of my over twenty five year ignorance of this handy and simple technique. Bon appetit! _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 20/06/24 2:51:55 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3864 Reply  |
Re: A really simple and useful 'hidden' feature in applying layer effects.
I didn’t know that myself David. I’ll try to programme one of my remaining brain cells to remember on the occasions that I might be able to use it.  _________________  |
Posted on 20/06/24 3:24:40 PM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5301 Reply |
Re: A really simple and useful 'hidden' feature in applying layer effects.
I uses drop shadow a lot and it's very handy for that. _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 21/06/24 09:53:59 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 6926 Reply  |
Re: A really simple and useful 'hidden' feature in applying layer effects.
Yes – I thought I’d mentioned that in HotChiPs but it appears not. It is a very useful way of working, certainly. |
Posted on 21/06/24 10:53:30 AM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5301 Reply |
Re: A really simple and useful 'hidden' feature in applying layer effects.
I am sure you may have done. I could easily have missed it. Now I know about it I have noticed it in a couple of places where I hadn't noticed it previously. Different awareness. _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |