Lynda.COM Photoshop for Designers: layer effects

Author:
Nigel French

Duration:
03h 03m

Released on:
5/19/2011

Exercise files:
Yes

For the first installment of Photoshop for Designers, Nigel French shows how to create editable, non-destructive effects such as shadows, glows, and bevels with layer effects in Photoshop. The course covers the use of layer effects like Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Bevel and Emboss, and Gradient Overlay, as well as how to combine effects with blending modes, transparency, and textures. With these techniques, designers can finesse type and graphics, control light, warp text, and extrude shapes, creating drama and adding depth to their compositions. Exercise files are included with the course.
Topics include:

    Moving, copying, and removing layer effects
    Working with gradient, color, and pattern overlays
    Converting a layer style to image layers
    Applying layer masks and vector masks
    Beveling and embossing type
    Creating depth with Pattern Overlay and Inner Shadow
    Using Inner Glow to create interior shapes and neon
    Customizing contours to create multiple outlines




Introduction
Welcome           01m 03s
Using the exercise files           00m 38s

1. Working with Layer Effects and Styles
What are layer effects?           03m 09s
Using the Layer Style dialog box           02m 25s
Moving, copying and removing layer effects           02m 20s
Working with preset styles           05m 28s

2. Layer Effects in Theory
Shadow effects 1: Drop Shadow           07m 11s
Shadow effects 2: Inner Shadow           01m 02s
Glow effects 1: Outer Glow           03m 41s
Glow effects 2: Inner Glow           01m 35s
Bevel and Emboss effect 1: Structure           02m 09s
Bevel and Emboss effect 2: Shading           02m 46s
Bevel and Emboss effect 3: Contour           01m 44s
Bevel and Emboss effect 4: Texture           01m 29s
Overlay and stroke effects 1: Satin           01m 01s
Overlay and stroke effects 2: Color Overlay           01m 27s
Overlay and stroke effects 3: Gradient Overlay           01m 58s
Overlay and stroke effects 4: Pattern Overlay           01m 43s
Overlay and stroke effects 5: Stroke           02m 00s

3. Advanced Blending Options
Blending modes           02m 55s
General opacity vs. fill opacity           01m 16s
Creating a knockout layer           02m 37s
Blending interior effects           01m 35s
Blending clipped layers as a group           01m 18s
Transparency Shapes Layers           02m 34s
Converting a layer style to image layers           01m 45s
Blending with the Layer Mask and Vector Mask Hide effects           01m 56s
Using the Blend If blending option           03m 53s
Working with contours           05m 48s

4. Layer Effects in Practice: Creating the Type Poster Using Shadows
Placing multiple files as Smart Objects into the type poster           01m 29s
Creating offset outlines with Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, and Fill Opacity           06m 19s
Using Fill Opacity to create "ghost" text           02m 19s
Creating live (editable) blurred type with Drop Shadow           01m 56s
Creating an extruded shadow           04m 42s
Customizing a drop shadow           05m 53s
Reflecting a shadow and applying a displacement map           06m 44s

5. Layer Effects in Practice: Creating the Type Poster Using Bevels
Inflating type by softening a smooth bevel           03m 07s
Creating a chiseled bevel           06m 14s
Embossing a stroke           02m 31s
Creating a soft bevel and customizing the contour of the inner shadow           05m 20s
Combining a smooth bevel with transparency effects           02m 34s
Embossing the contour of a bevel and adding an outer bevel with texture           04m 13s
Set in stone: Customizing a bevel with diffused light           02m 22s
Creating an embossed stamp           02m 35s

6. Layer Effects in Practice: Creating the Type Poster Using Patterns
Working with texture: Pattern Overlay or Layer Mask?           06m 25s
Creating depth with Pattern Overlay and Inner Shadow           01m 23s
Creating and applying a custom pattern           05m 57s
Layer effects and Smart Objects 1           01m 21s
Layer effects and Smart Objects 2           04m 39s

7. Layer Effects in Practice: Creating the Type Poster Using Interior Effects
Using Inner Glow to create interior shapes and neon           07m 06s
Choking an Inner Glow effect to create inline effects           02m 04s
Adapting an Inner Glow using the Contour, Range, and Jitter controls           01m 30s
Creating a stencil effect with Outer Glow and Shallow Knockout           07m 41s
Customizing contours to create multiple outlines           02m 11s
Combining Gradient Overlay and a gradient stroke 1           01m 51s
Combining Gradient Overlay and a gradient stroke 2           01m 24s
Using Satin with a custom contour           02m 20s

Conclusion
Building a type poster           04m 26s
Adding paper behind the letters           04m 19s
Goodbye           00m 18s