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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.