Copying Layer Styles in Photoshop

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I just learned a new trick!!

I’ll explain my “old way” of doing things first.

Let’s say you have a layer in Photoshop and apply a Layer Style (drop shadow, stroke, bevel, etc…). The Layers palette shows which effects you’ve applied (see picture below). Quite often, I find myself needing to duplicate layer effects on other layers.

Now in the “old days,” I would right-click on the layer and choose “Copy Layer Style,” then right-click on the target layer and choose “Paste Layer Style.”

But those days are gone.

Now, I know that I can simply click on the “Effects” text, drag, and drop it on my target layer (actually, slightly “below” the layer – you’ll see what I mean when you try it) – and the effect will be applied immediately!

I am always ecstatic when I find ways to do things that involve less clicking.

By the way, you can also click-and-drag the individual effects to copy them as well. You just click the “Effects” text if you want to apply the whole lot of them.

Written By:

Corrie Haffly

Corrie is the lead designer and developer for PixelMill and their in-house brand, jgtemplates. This would-be triathlete has a mathematics degree but wishes she had double-majored in computer science and art instead. Maybe next time...

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{ 16 comments }

Mark September 20, 2007 at 4:02 am

actually in CS2 I have to hold the ALT key (windows) to copy the style – else it moves it….

zote63 January 11, 2005 at 6:53 pm

very kool…

IL December 6, 2004 at 5:26 pm

Hmm… nice one! Thanx.

busy December 1, 2004 at 3:25 pm

Corrie, your blog is great. I’ve only recently been copying layer styles, and this is a good shortcut.

ricktu November 29, 2004 at 7:56 pm

ha, nice trick. It’s amazing how all these little nuggets of info can save you time. Thanks…

corriehaffly November 27, 2004 at 8:34 pm

Chris — I’m using Photoshop 7 but “new way” and “old way” simply means that I found a different way of doing things.

JP:N9 November 27, 2004 at 9:48 am

Nice. I knew about copy layer styles, but was always annoyed that you had to copy all the styles when maybe you only wanted 1. Great tip!

Onur November 26, 2004 at 4:14 am

Wow, I didn’t even know you could copy and paste the effects! I always manually entered them for each layer. I should go get a photoshop book. But then, I use Fireworks most of the time ;)

Chris November 26, 2004 at 1:56 am

Corrie – this might be a little more useful if you explained which versions of Photoshop you’re talking about when you say “old way” or “new way” – I don’t have PS in front of me to test.

Anonymous November 25, 2004 at 11:47 am

Great tip, thanxs loads

Scratch2 November 25, 2004 at 10:42 am

Coolio Iglesias!!!

MarkB November 25, 2004 at 1:31 am

Thanks for the tip! :)

And I just realised you can clear a style by dragging it to the trash icon. Doh!

JonathanS November 25, 2004 at 1:11 am

Very nice trick, alot better than the two click method.

ant1832 November 24, 2004 at 9:16 pm

I’ve always done it the two click way as well. Thanks for the tip!

mbstuart November 24, 2004 at 4:31 pm

Great find! I’m a frequent right-click “copy layer style” user. And I hate using contextual menus, they are so clunky at times.
Thanks

charmedlover November 24, 2004 at 3:48 pm

Nice trick, I never find these myself so this one seems useful.

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