How To Copy Object Effects to Another Object?

[Zoffix222]

Hey,

I can't find anywhere how to copy effects applied to the object (e.g. drop shadow, inner glow, etcetera) to another object.

Is that possible?

[Zoffix222]

I found this post, but I don't have any "Paste Attributes" in the "Edit" menu... http://forums.adobe.com/message/939532#939532

[Peter Spier · Accepted solution]

Zoffix222 wrote:

I found this post, but I don't have any "Paste Attributes" in the "Edit" menu... http://forums.adobe.com/message/939532#939532

That's because it's a different program.

I honestly dont recall if it's possible to copy effects, but it is possible to use them to create an object style. Apply the style to other objects anywhere in the document. Edit the style and the effects on all objects where it is applied will update.

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

See the little fx icon in the effects panel when you select the object that already had the effects applied? Drag it to the object you want to apply that same effect to.

Bob

[Zoffix222]

Hey, thanks. Only now did I notice the icon. The line with the icon was selected and the icon was virtually invisible with my color scheme.

Seems like a pretty big interface design flaw with the whole copying business... Often my objects are on different pages, etc.

Oh well, better than nothing.

Thanks for the help.

[terrynewcomb74146]

Does not work!

[hedger]

It doesn't work for me either. Once I drag the fx icon I see and start dragging it to the object that I want to apply the fx to I see a small closed hand icon with a small square next to it. When I drop it on the object that I want to  edit nothing happens. No fx are applied to it.

[smoothsea]

Hi,

Don't forget that you can use object style to ensure consistency in effects across objects. Once you have got an object looking the way you want, you can create a new object style. Doing it this way means that it's much easier to make global changes quickly.

Regards,

Malcolm

[Jamie339199462qy8]

You are the wind beneath my wings.

[elizabeths61297746]

Ok I had this same frustration for some time and then realized that Bob doesn't mean the object in the layers panel. He means the object on the artboard. Perhaps you were running into the same issue as me. Also the Fx icon has to be dragged from the Effects panel, it cannot be dragged from the Properties panel, which I had also tried initially. Additionally, I think it must be applied to the same type of object. I tried to drag an effect onto an embedded graphic that was coming from a text box, and it wouldn't apply it to that, but it would apply it to other text boxes. Also this YT video is the reason I figured out what I was doing wrong, if it helps anyone: https://youtu.be/2okFesCXmf0?si=MHl1i64VIhiKDTAA

[Jaydude-wb]

Doens't work with grouped objects, unfortunately.

[HanyRamzyPhotography]

You are a genius, Thx 

[kellyn644220]

TY Bob! That worked perfect! I appreciate you! Kelly

[James_B_M]

You have to hold down the ALT or Option button as you do this, otherwise it will simply move the effect and not copy it.

[Zoffix222]

DOH! Lol, must've been too late at night that I didn't even notice it was a different forum

I did notice you can create object styles, but it seemed like too much trouble to go into just to copy the shadow or inner glow...

[Erik Lingerfelt]

Object Style, now THERE is something nice!
A problem I had was copying the Drop Shadow to a vector logo (for example) in Indesign. That vector has, let's say, several parts. When you use the "Drag FX Icon" way, only one of those liiiitle pieces get the shadow!
Now, with the Object Style saved (uncheck ALL options in the style, leaving just the DROP SHADOW one, of course), I can apply it to any group of objects at once! Yey!!

[r5dsign]

Thank you for asking the question and Thank you to Bob Levine's terrific answer. It works like a charm.

[_Black_Baron_]

1.)

I see a copy not allowed icon when I drag and drop the FX icon from the palette onto another object.

2.)

How can I prevent the effects values to be "scaled" when I scale the object itself? (I would like to have fix values

for the effects and stroke widths for example.)

Keeping the handling of fx just like in Photoshop CC by using a contextual menu entry "Copy Effects" and "Paste Effects" would be a nice to have feature.

[quarryhewn]

Wow! Thanks so much. Just made my job a whole lot easier!

[shirleyr38412395]

THANK YOU!! 

[JonathanArias]

Yes, this is possible if you use object styles

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Another vote for Object styles--this is what they were made for. As a bonus, you can get global updates on the objects if you edit the style later on.

[James_B_M]

Bob Levine's answer is correct, although you have to hold down the ALT or Otion button as you drag the effects icon from one object layer to another. Otherwise it will simply move the effect rather than copy it.

[BobLevine]

This discussion is 14 years old and nothing has changed AFAICT. Dragging the fx icon works just fine with no modifiers needed.

This was asked and answered and I'm going to lock it to avoid any more confusion. Feel free to start a new discussion with full details on what you're trying to accomplish.