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Inspiring
August 12, 2021
Open for Voting

Ability to set layer effects to affect layer in a group separately

  • August 12, 2021
  • 6 replies
  • 244 views

As far as I can tell there is no way to do this currently, but correct me if I'm wrong. Basically, say I have a bunch of overlapping objects, and I want to apply the exact same layer effect to each of them. Currently, I have to copy the layer effect to each layer, and then if I decide to alter it, I have to go through and either edit each layer's effect separately, or copy them over again. It would be great if I could just group the items and apply the layer effect to the group as a whole. Obviously this does work, if the objects are separated - but like I said, if I want to do this with overlapping objects, this doesn't work, because the layer effect applies as though the objects are merged (i.e. if I have several concentric circles in a group and I apply a drop shadow to the group, it applies only to the outermost circle). 

6 replies

Legend
September 1, 2021

Can create a Style Preset (Window > Styles) and apply those to selected layers.

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 1, 2021

@c.pfaffenbichler said:

 

Typing "Like" since there is no "Like" button or even a Reply feature. 😕😕

 

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 1, 2021

@jane-e , yeah, Photoshop is a pretty different beast apparently … 

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 1, 2021

@c.pfaffenbichler said:

Which obviously do not exist in Photoshop so far …

 

Although:

  • When Graphic Styles are updated in Illustrator, all objects using them are updated.
  • When Object Styles are redefinded in InDesign, all frames using the are updated (unless the have overrides, which can be removed.)

Great idea for Photoshop !

 

~ Jane

 

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 1, 2021

I wonder if you might not ultimately be looking for »Smart« Layer Styles, meaning Layer Styles that can update on all Layers they are applied to at once. 

Which obviously do not exist in Photoshop so far … 

Legend
September 1, 2021

What if one day you need to apply an effect to several overlapping layers, but as if they are merged? (but you can't merge them, since you plan to adjust their position)? The fact that the group behaves like a separate layer is good, at least it makes it possible to fulfill the needs of different users.

 

Welcome to the "discussions' section - i am sure that if you create a topic with the tag "actions and scripts" and describe your problem, a solution will be found very quickly 😉