Adobe After Effects CS4 - Manual (Page 184)

178 USING AFTER EFFECTS CS4
Layers and properties
Last updated 12/21/2009
Use the Bevel And Emboss layer style rather than the Bevel Alpha effect if, for example, you want to apply different
blending modes to the highlights and shadows of a bevel.
Satin Applies interior shading that creates a satiny finish.
Color Overlay Fills the contents of the layer with a color.
Gradient Overlay Fills the contents of the layer with a gradient.
Stroke Outlines the contents of the layer.
More Help topics
“ Preparing and importing Photoshop files ” on page 105
“ Render order and collapsing transformations ” on page 64
“ 3D layer interactions, render order, and collapsed transformations ” on page 184
Add, remove, and convert layer styles
• To convert merged layer styles into editable layer styles, select one or more layers and choose Layer > Layer Styles
> Convert To Editable Styles.
• To add a layer style to selected layers, choose Layer > Layer Styles, and choose a layer style from the menu.
• To remove a layer style, select it in the Timeline panel and press Delete.
• To remove all layer styles from selected layers, choose Layer > Layer Styles > Remove All.
When a layer style is applied to a vector layer—such as a text layer, a shape layer, or a layer based on an Illustrator
footage item—visual elements that apply to the edges of the contents of the layer apply to the outlines of the vector
objects, such as text characters or shapes. When a layer style is applied to a layer based on a non-vector footage item,
the layer style applies to the edges of the layer’s bounds or masks.
You can apply a layer style to a 3D layer, but a layer with a layer style can’t intersect with other 3D layers or interact
with other 3D layers for casting and receiving shadows. 3D layers on either side of a layer with a layer style can’t
intersect one another or cast shadows on one another.
When you use the Layer > Convert To Editable Text command on a text layer from a Photoshop file, any layer styles
on that layer are also converted to editable layer styles.
Layer style settings
Each layer style has its own collection of properties in the Timeline panel.
Align With Layer Uses the bounding box of the layer to calculate the gradient fill.
Altitude For the Bevel And Emboss layer style, the elevation of the light source above the layer, in degrees.
Choke Shrinks the boundaries of the matte of an Inner Shadow or Inner Glow before blurring.
Distance The offset distance for a Shadow or Satin layer style
Highlight Mode, Shadow Mode Specifies the blending mode of a bevel or emboss highlight or shadow.
Jitter Varies the application of the colors and opacity of a gradient, which reduces banding.
Layer Knocks Out Drop Shadow Controls the visibility of a drop shadow in a semitransparent layer.
Reverse Flips the orientation of a gradient.
Scale Resizes the gradient.