Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Manual (Page 314)

307 USING PHOTOSHOP CS4
Layers
Last updated 1/10/2010
Modify layer effects with contours
When you create custom layer styles, you can use contours to control the shape of Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Inner
Glow, Outer Glow, Bevel and Emboss, and Satin effects over a given range. For example, a Linear contour on a Drop
Shadow causes the opacity to drop off in a linear transition. Use a Custom contour to create a unique shadow
transition.
You can select, reset, delete, or change the preview of contours in the Contour pop-up panel and Preset Manager.
Detail of Layer Style dialog box for Drop Shadow effect
A. Click to display the Contour Editor dialog box. B. Click to display the pop-up panel.
Create a custom contour
1 Select the Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Inner Glow, Outer Glow, Bevel and Emboss, Contour, or Satin effect in the
Layer Style dialog box.
2 Click the contour thumbnail in the Layer Style dialog box.
3 Click the contour to add points, and drag to adjust the contour. Or enter values for Input and Output.
4 To create a sharp corner instead of a smooth curve, select a point and click Corner.
5 To save the contour to a file, click Save and name the contour.
6 To store a contour as a preset, choose New.
7 Click OK. New contours are added at the bottom of the pop-up panel.
Load a contour
❖ Click the contour in the Layer Style dialog box, and in the Contour Editor dialog box, and then choose Load. Go to
the folder containing the contour library you want to load and click Open.
Delete a contour
❖ Click the inverted arrow next to the currently selected contour to view the pop-up panel. Press Alt (Windows) or
Option (Mac
OS), and click the contour you want to delete.
Set a global lighting angle for all layers
Using global light gives the appearance of a common light source shining on the image.
❖ Do one of the following:
• Choose Layer > Layer Style > Global Light. In the Global Light dialog box, enter a value or drag the angle radius to
set the angle and altitude, and click OK.
• In the Layer Style dialog box for Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, or Bevel, select Use Global Light. For Angle, enter a
value or drag the radius, and click
OK.
The global lighting applies to each layer effect that uses the global lighting angle.
A B