Adobe 29180155 User Guide - Page 182

177 Chapter 11: Using filters, effects, and styles Filters, effects, and layer styles About filters, effects, and layer styles Filters let you change the look of your images, for instance giving them the appearance of impressionistic paintings or mosaic tiles, or adding unique lighting or distortions. In addition to filters, Photoshop Elements also provides a variety of effects-such as shadows, glows, bevels, overlays, and strokes-that let you quickly change the appearance of a layer's contents. Effects differ from filters in that when you move or edit the contents of the layer, effects change accordingly. For example, if you apply a drop shadow effect to a text layer, the shadow changes automatically when you edit the text. Layer styles let you quickly apply effects to a layer's content. Preset layer styles appear in the Styles palette and can be applied with just a click of the mouse. You can scan through a variety of predefined layer styles and apply a style with just a click of the mouse, or you can create a custom style by applying multiple effects to a layer. Note: You cannot apply layer effects and styles to a background, a locked layer, or a layer set. When you add effects styles, or both to a layer, an "f " icon appears to the right of the layer's name in the Layers palette. You can view the effects and layer styles used in a layer by clicking the triangle next to the "f " icon. If you double-click a style or effect in the Layers palette, you can edit the effect or the shadow distance, glow size, and bevel size of layer style. See also "About filters" on page 183 "About effects" on page 182 "About layer styles" on page 178 "Adding layers" on page 83 To use the Styles And Effects palette The Styles And Effects palette (Window > Styles And Effects) displays a thumbnail example of the result of applying a filter, effect, or layer style, to an image. (It's a good idea to preview the specific filter on your photo before taking the time to apply it.) In addition, many filters have specific options that you can access with the palette. You can combine the different categories of filters, effects, and layer styles to create unique images from a simple photograph. For example, you can create a dramatic look by combining the Outer Glow category from the Layer Styles portion of the palette with Neon Nights from the Image Effect category in the Effects portion of the palette.