Adobe After Effects CS3 - Manual (Page 174)

AFTER EFFECTS CS3
User Guide
169
When you import a Photoshop file that includes layers as a composition, you can retain editable layer styles or merge
layer styles into footage. When you import only one layer that includes layer styles, you can choose to ignore the layer
styles or merge layer styles into footage. At any time, you can convert merged layer styles into editable layer styles for
each After Effects layer based on a Photoshop footage item.
After Effects can preserve all layer styles in imported Photoshop files, but you can only add and modify some layer
styles and controls within After Effects.
Layer styles that you can apply and edit in After Effects
Drop Shadow Adds a shadow that falls behind the layer.
Inner Shadow Adds a shadow that falls inside the layer’s contents, giving the layer a recessed appearance.
Outer Glow Adds a glow that emanates outward from the layer’s contents.
Inner Glow Adds a glow that emanates inward from the layer’s contents.
Bevel And Emboss Adds various combinations of highlights and shadows.
Satin Applies interior shading that creates a satiny finish.
Color Overlay Fills the layer’s contents with a color.
Gradient Overlay Fills the layer’s contents with a gradient.
Stroke Outlines the layer’s contents.
See also
“Preparing and importing Photoshop files” on page 83
“Render order and collapsing transformations” on page 115
“How render order and collapsed transformations affect 3D layers” on page 175
Work with 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 layer’s contents 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.