Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 5/10/2010

Question
QUESTION: I'm trying to create a drop shadow. I click on the layer, then click on the file menu "layer", followed by clicking on "layer style".  Style Settings, Copy Layer Style, Paste Layer Style, Clear Layer Style and Scale Effects are all disabled. My only option is to click on Hide All Effects, which doesn't help me create a drop shadow. What am I doing wrong?  Thank you in advance!

ANSWER: Hi Teri,

Double click on the layer in the layers palette or right click on the layer and choose "drop shadow". Then set up your shadow and then hit ok. You have to first create an layer effect before you can copy/paste/or clear the style. Right now there is no style set up on your layer ergo no way to copy/paste/clear etc.

Thanks

Kevin


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: "drop shadow" is not an option that I have when I right click or when I double click.  The options I have are: rename layer, duplicate layer, delete layer, simplify layer, link layers (disabled), select linked layers (disabled), select similar layers, copy layer style (disabled), paste layer style (disabled), delete layer style (disabled), merge down, merge visible and flatten image.  I can't find drop shadow anywhere.

Answer
Hi Teri,

Go to the Layers Menu, then Layer Style and choose Drop Shadow. If you cannot select this option, do you have anything actually on the layer? If the layer is blank you may not be able to choose some of these options and it will disable many of them, which it sounds like is happening.

Thanks

Kevin