Photoshop Top 40, Feature #17: Layer Effects

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In reviewing the prodigious creative free-for-all that is Photoshop Top 40: The Contest, I’ve noticed how many entrants end their lists of Top 40 features with “plus much more.” As if to say, the stuff not included in my Photoshop Top 40 countdown so far could fill a book. For example, only two videos—Feature #39: Layer Comps and Feature #18: Smart Objects—specifically rely on layers. Which is a little strange, given that layers go to the core of working in Photoshop.

This week, layer lovers can take heart: First, this is a reverse-order countdown, so one might imagine that layers will begin to take a larger role. Second, this week’s entry documents a feature that relies on layers, specifically layer effects. And third, you layer fans who are waiting until the last minute can include Feature #17: Layer Effects in your entry.

Lest you imagine layer effects to be somehow cheesy—their name is synonymous with drop shadows, after all—the ubiquitous FX are in fact one of Photoshop’s best functions. In addition to drop shadows, layer effects let you assemble credible compositions, render simple layers in dimension, and add ambient lighting. Speaking personally, I cannot imagine working in Photoshop without them.

In this week’s installment, I show you how to style the water droplet effect first documented in Feature #30, Actions. But this time, I employ a different background image, culled from image vendor Fotolia. I speak of file #4747429 from Coka. For an exclusive dekeOnline deal, click this link.

(For a list of all Photoshop Top 40 videos thus far, click here.)

Photoshop Top 4 is available as a downloadable podcast from iTunes. Click here to subscribe. dekePod subscribers will get the videos automatically.

Next entry:Martini Hour 045, In Which Colleen and Deke find out that the Dutch Are Gracious, Funny, and Enjoy T

Previous entry:Martini Hour 044, In Which Deke Contemplates the Solitary Life of the Artist (over Drinks With Frien

  • Top 40 Features

    Hallo Deke,

    The video is not showing up for me. lt says: ‘This is a private video….’. What should I do in order to watch it?

  • Set layer effect before content finalized - and recursive styles

    I like how if you paint on a layer with layer effects your new strokes inherit the effects.

    And it’s also interesting to see the layer effects turned into layers in their own right. You can stroke a stroked stroke with ring after ring of color around an area (maybe some type) using that technique.

  • Update: it’s working fine

    Update: it’s working fine now.

  • Important note..

    Hi there,

    I would like to make a comment about Dekes video tutorial named ” Photoshop CS4 one-on-one Advanced”  ” Adding a directional glow”....

    In this video, Deke says that he is going to solve the problem with Max shoulder (it has too match internal glow) but after he do something else and he forgot to say how..

    if this message arrived to my friend Deke, i would like to tell him my aprication to what he is doing… you are the best.

    p.s. 1 i didnt know where to post this comment and i did it here… :-)


    2. If there is an answer in my comment, please post it to my email

    george

  • is there anybody who can

    is there anybody who can answer my question..?

  • Important note..

    Hi there,

    I would like to make a comment about Dekes video tutorial named ” Photoshop CS4 one-on-one Advanced” ” Adding a directional glow”....

    In this video, Deke says that he is going to solve the problem with Max shoulder (it has too match internal glow) but after he do something else and he forgot to say how..

    if this message arrived to my friend Deke, i would like to tell him my aprication to what he is doing… you are the best.

    p.s. 1 i didnt know where to post this comment and i did it here… :-)


    2. If there is an answer in my comment, please post it to my email


  • CS4 Channels and Masks

    Hi Deke,

    I purchased your photoshop cs4 channels & Masks one-on-one book a few months ago. Been really looking forward to getting into it but haven’t had a chance till now. Just opened it and put the cd rom into my computer and am totally gutted to find it doesn’t work! My mac just seems to spit it back out again (it looks to me like there’s nothing on it) Is there any way I can get the work files for this book? - ive missed the thirty day bracket to return it to the seller.??

  • Mask

    Deke,
    I watched your masking tutorial on lynda.com and it had a girl with black hair against a white background. You mentioned that you would show how to mask hair on a more busy background in a future movie. Is there a tutorial movie showing that?


  • nice

    nice nice

    nice

  • nice

    nice

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