Why is Stroke not included as a Layer Style?

[JackF]

It seems funny to me that Stroke is now included in the Style Settings dialog box (get this dialog by double clicking a Layer Style icon) but is not included as a layer style. Is this some oversight by Adobe?

I would love to have Stroke as a layer style where you could then add a Bevel and Emboss to it without it being on its own layer.

Another rant:
Adobe could do much to eliminate confusion if they would just use correct labels.
Example: Also in the Style Settings dialog box, if you check the box to add a Drop Shadow you then have three slider by which to adjust its look; they are: Size, Distance and Opacity.
The last two do just what they say, they adjust distance and opacity. But the first one adjusts the BLUR not size, why does this sliders discription "not" say BLUR.

OK i'm finished, thanks for listening

[Pauline]

Well I haven't had pse 5 long so decided to take a look. It seems that while stroke is available in the layers styles, you can only get to it AFTER you have applied some other style. IE, if you select and apply a bevel, you can then double click the f icon and get into the styles dialogue box where you will see the option for stroke.
It would have been nice if it appeared just in the drop down options, but I guess if you are just applying a stroke to something you have the choice to do edit/stroke.......problem with that one is that you have to basically guess how many pixels you need where in the layer styles area you can move the slider and it updates right away.

[JackF]

It just doesn't make sense. I can think of no circumstance that I would apply a Stroke AFTER doing either a Drop Shadow or Bevel/Imboss. That feature is setting there useless.
Maybe another member can think of a practical situation but I can't.

[Pauline]

Jack I wonder if it's an oversite on Adobe's part as is was never in the styles section before. It is in the full v. of photoshop but in that program you just click the styles icon to open up the dialogue box and all your options are there.

Maybe someone can figure out how to add it to the list, but I'm not good with that stuff. Hopefully there will be other responses since you've brought this up.

[kevq]

Jack,
I'm sorry but I don't understand you rant.
You can in the dialogue box do all that you want.
You would prefer to do your stroke and then add your shadow, I do that all the time. I simply call up drop shadow then click on the sunburst to open the dialogue box switch of the drop shadow, click on stroke, apply a stroke, switch on the shadow and apply that. I agree that the size is a little stupid, if however you adjust the distance and opacity you have pretty good control over your shadow. Suggest you play around with this tool before your comments put people off from a very good program.
Kev

[JackF]

Kev,
I'm going to address your last comment first.

Where did I state not to upgrade or buy PSE 5. I was merely making an abservation and asking a question about it. I have played with the program for over a week now and just didn't understand (and still don't) why Stroke is an option in the Style Settings but not as a Layer Style. Do you read this as DON'T BUY THE PROGRAM OR UPGRADE? I find it very unlikely anyone is put off from upgrading or buying the program from my question; or comment about the Size=Blur.
To set the record straight, I'm a big fan of PSE and version 5. That doesn't mean I like/understand every aspect of the program. I hope this makes you feel better.

Yes Kev, I see what your saying about add the shadow then the stroke, I didn't think of that. But thats totally non intuitive wouldn't you say? And after playing around with the stroke I'm a little disappointed that Adobe again left the feature half baked. Where are the location options? I would say most users use the Inside location option because it gives square corners but to use the Style Settings stroke options you can only get the rounded off corners. Of course one can still add strokes the old way, but its just disappointing not be able to use the layer style option (unless one is happy with the rounded corners). These are such simple oversites, not something you would think the folks at Adobe would miss.

[kevq]

Jack,
I agree that it is not perfect but it gives adequate results.
Like all versions of elements there are things they could have done better but I'm glad you like me like the program.
Kev

[johnfranklin]

Originally Posted by JackF

It seems funny to me that Stroke is now included in the Style Settings dialog box (get this dialog by double clicking a Layer Style icon) but is not included as a layer style. Is this some oversight by Adobe?

I would love to have Stroke as a layer style where you could then add a Bevel and Emboss to it without it being on its own layer.

Wouldn't select>select all, then select>modify>border and fill selection with paint bucket, at least for the most part give you a passable stroke? Then with the selection still active apply the bevel without duping the layer?

[graficalicus]

Maybe someone can figure out how to add it to the list, but I'm not good with that stuff. Hopefully there will be other responses since you've brought this up.

here ya go - my standard Stroke Styles

add 'em with Add-O-Matic (it'll put them automatically where they need to go, with the correct menu setting)

or drop the Strokes.asl file into

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 5.0\Presets\Styles

and

into a new folder here (maybe call the folder "Strokes"):

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\5.0\Photo Creations\special effects\layer styles\

[Wags374]

Thanks Graffi!! I put the first thing into the add-o-matic, and followed the directions for the jpeg - but when I got to PSE5 the only thing that I'm finding is the jpeg. What did I mess up?