How can I add an effect to a small text area, then later change the font without creating new mask

Question

(OK that title length is extremely limiting)

Hi,

I have some letters "W" and "S" and want to add a shine to the corners only. The problem is, as I'm not sure which font will be used yet, I want to be able to just change the font for the source text layers ONCE and the shine adjusts consequently for the changed text.

I tried creating a group and applying a mask to the group and messing with blending options, but it acts exactly like a layer in that I would need to copy the entire group folder structure to create an effect mask just to get the effect on the text (as a separate masked group). Then, any adjustments made prior to the shine effect (e.g. "stroke group" or font), I would need to adjust all preceding layers in both groups. Ideally, the folder would have a "pre" and "post" slider (I'm a sound engineer), to mix before and after the group effects. So I can add the shine but allow the unaffected layers through, too (both at 100%).

Maybe I could create a smart object and use the same source in more than one place or something?

Thanks

Marc Skywalker · Accepted Answer

I figured out a couple of ways of doing it...

The way I actually did it was by using a Smart Object.

I converted the basic letter group into a Smart Object (SO) which created a temporary PSB file with the group as the top level item in my "[user_dir]/AppData/Temp" directory (Windows). I opened the new SO in a new PS tab and saved it as a local PSB file in my project's folder using "Save As" in the "File" menu. I then opened the context menu on the SO layer and re-linked the SO to the file I just saved. I could then duplicate the SO layer and this new layer would be linked to the same PSB file, which I can edit in another tab and save before viewing in my main PSD project tab.

The theoretical way - I stumbled across this, and it seems like it should work, though I haven't tried it.

This involves using Variables and Data Sets to link to the "group" PSB file, which is similar to the SO approach above. You just basically add the thing that will change (letter group PSB file) as a variable which can be used in different layouts, like a "template and variables" sort of setup.

So this first approach has allowed me to create a few layers of the same source object and add different effects and general masks and if I need to change the font, the positioning, the scale or anything else of the lettering, I can switch to the open letters.psb file, apply editing, save, and the changes will be reflected in the file-linked SO layers in the main project with no further editing needed.

jane-e · Answer

The problem is, as I'm not sure which font will be used yet, I want to be able to just change the font for the source text layers ONCE and the shine adjusts consequently for the changed text.
By @Marc Skywalker

The problem that I see is that while the size of the typeface is the size of the metal block as defined by Gutenberg, they vary widely in x-height, ascenders, counters, and descenders as well as that the width varies from Narrow to Extra Wide. Tracking and kerning will also affect things.

You might consider creating the shine, but adjusting the mask as needed until you settle on a typeface. Your work will be easier if you make a final decision on the typeface first.

Jane

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