TRICK for Easy Layer Style replication

[lbjiowa]

Have you ever worked hard to create just the 'right' combination of settings for a Layer Style and then wished there was a quick way to get all those settings quickly applied to another layer or several other layers?

This TIP is for YOU!

A quick way to replicate a Layer Style from one layer (source layer) to another layer (destination layer):


Press and hold ALT (pc) / COMMAND (mac), then
Click and Drag the Fx icon from 'source' layer to the destination layer(s)
The Fx icon is located in the Layers Palette to the right of the Layer's name/title.
Repeat until all layers now have the Layer Style applied.


NOTE: If you don't press the ALT key first the Layer Style will just move from the source layer to the destination layer. If that happens ... just replicate it back again.

This works on all versions of Photoshop CS (1, 2, 3, and most likely 4 though I don't have it yet) and PSE (versions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) so have fun!:cool::cool::cool:

[Meryl]

Great time saving tip thanks :)

[webfrau]

Must try that - less clicks than copying and pasting the layer style.

[LadynRed]

It works like a charm. I discovered this not too long ago. I knew I could drag styles and move them from one layer to another, and sort of stumbled across duplicating them instead using the Alt key.

[Audrey]

Thanks for the great tip!! I will definitely try it!

[Emma]

Awesome tip, such a time saver!

it doesn't work on the later versions of PSE, I think not for 6, not sure about 7

The cool thing in PS, however, is that you can open the styles list in the layers palette and drag individual styles to another layer (move or alt-drag to copy), OR the entire fx icon to copy them all

works with masks too, you can alt-drag a mask icon to copy it to another layer, or ctrl-alt-drag to copy and invert it to another layer

If I'm copying a style to a lot of layers, I'll highlight them all first, right-click and choose Copy Style, then Paste Style to all the linked layers at once

[lbjiowa]

Awesome tip, such a time saver!

it doesn't work on the later versions of PSE, I think not for 6, not sure about 7

The cool thing in PS, however, is that you can open the styles list in the layers palette and drag individual styles to another layer (move or alt-drag to copy), OR the entire fx icon to copy them all

works with masks too, you can alt-drag a mask icon to copy it to another layer, or ctrl-alt-drag to copy and invert it to another layer

If I'm copying a style to a lot of layers, I'll highlight them all first, right-click and choose Copy Style, then Paste Style to all the linked layers at once

HOLY COW ... you're right! :annoyed: I would have sworn I'd used that trick in PSE6 ... WHY IN THE WORLD did Adobe drop that feature??? Good grief! We may have to start a write-in campaign ... they are FAMOUS for adding-then-dropping great features in their Elements software ... AARGH! (Remember when they dropped :doh: the Alignment tools in v4...I couldn't BELIEVE it when that happened! sigh!)

[Emma]

that's the issue with PS and PSE: it has to stay behind PS or why buy it? they add new features, and they have to take stuff out. I've noticed it has a lot more auto this and that and really diverging from PS with each new version

[lbjiowa]

that's the issue with PS and PSE: it has to stay behind PS or why buy it? they add new features, and they have to take stuff out. I've noticed it has a lot more auto this and that and really diverging from PS with each new version

I suspect it has to do with meeting the perceived 'needs' of folks new to digital scrapbooking and digital image editing. The problem is that soon enough beginners become advanced and then begin to seek work arounds for all those 'automated' functions.

For example...that whole Photo Book Create area. While you are in CREATE you cannot access Layers or any functions that require access to them BUT once you've save the file you are able to switch to the EDIT area, reopen the file and voila! you have Layers and all those wonderful functions. Same with MASKS ... while there isn't a handy little icon/button on the Layers palette for a Layer Mask ... you can easily create a clipping mask or use the Adjustment Layers to accomplish the same thing.

Of course there just isn't a way to get around the missing PATHS and CHANNELS ... except to have a friend who has Photoshop make the paths for you...sigh...

In the end ... I really DO think Adobe gives an awful LOT AWAY for only a few bucks (NOT that $75 isn't alot of money, but in comparison to what they get for CS) ... thankfully!

[dagwood]

Awesome tip, such a time saver!

works with masks too, you can alt-drag a mask icon to copy it to another layer, or ctrl-alt-drag to copy and invert it to another layer



just used this and it worked a treat!!

[lbjiowa]

just used this and it worked a treat!!

so glad you found it helpful! can certainly save a girl some serious time!