Layer Styles Question

[donws1]

Created a layer style of Inner Shadows with a lighting angle of 30 deg., then used Ctrl J to dup layer & layer style. On new dup layer changed the lighting angle to -150 deg. and discovered that lighting angle of original layer had changed from 30 deg. to -150 deg. Any change in lighting angle in the new dup layer will change the angle in the original layer. How do I prevent this from occurring?

Thanks in advance!

[sarch99]

Hi, and welcome to the Forums. I'm no expert, but I think you'll find your answer in this discussion.

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30174

[Rusty]

The method discussed in that thread is the only easy way I know.

Apply your style to one of the layers and then simplify that layer. BUT - make sure you are satisfied with what you have before you simplify the layer. Look at this example with drop shadows falling in different directions...

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1eNylKD1bH3vLWQAJF3TE3QOk1RlyX_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1eNylKD1bH3vLWQAJF3TE3QOk1RlyX)

The right-image layer was simplified after the shadow was applied. Note that the little sunburst thing has disappeared from that layer. The left-image layer has not been simplified and you still see that icon. That means you can continue to edit and adjust the style applied to the left-image. You cannot do anything more with the right-image because the layer has been simplified.

Welcome to the Forum,

Rusty