Operation Manual

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Layers and properties
Last updated 12/12/2014
You can copy and paste any layer style within After Effects, including layer styles imported into After Effects in PSD
files. Richard Harrington provides a video tutorial on the Creative COW website that shows how to bring a library of
layer styles from Photoshop into After Effects so that you can use, modify, copy, and paste the custom layer styles in After
Effects.
In addition to the layer styles that add visual elements—like a drop shadow or a color overlay—each layer’s Layer Styles
property group contains a Blending Options property group. You can use the Blending Options settings for powerful
and flexible control over blending operations.
Though layer styles are referred to as effects in Photoshop, they behave more like blending modes in After Effects. Layer
styles follow transformations in the standard render order, whereas effects precede transformations. Another difference
is that each layer style blends directly with the underlying layers in the composition, whereas an effect is rendered on
the layer to which it’s applied, the result of which then interacts with the underlying layers as a whole.
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.
Note: For details about each layer style and its properties, see Photoshop Help.
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 contents of the layer, giving the layer a recessed appearance.
Outer Glow Adds a glow that emanates outward from the contents of the layer.
Inner Glow Adds a glow that emanates inward from the contents of the layer.
Bevel And Emboss Adds various combinations of highlights and shadows.
Use the Bevel And Emboss layer style rather than the Bevel Alpha effect if, for example, you want to apply different
blending modes to the highlights and shadows of a bevel.
Satin Applies interior shading that creates a satiny finish.
Color Overlay Fills the contents of the layer with a color.
Gradient Overlay Fills the contents of the layer with a gradient.
Stroke Outlines the contents of the layer.
Add, remove, and convert 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 contents of the layer 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.