drag-replace feature for layer styles and smart filters

[Roei Tzoref]

Hi fellas.

PS CC2017

say for example I have these two layers:

Layer 1 has a blue stroke and a drop shadow.

Layer 2 has a green stroke

say I want Layer 1 to have the same green stroke as Layer 2, I can Alt+drag the stroke from Layer 2 to Layer 1 but it will not allow me to replace the existing, only add to it. I now have to delete the previous stroke from Layer 1. before multiple instancing of layer styles, it would just replace it. also, copy layer styles by right clicking will not copy just one layer style but all of them so if I right click Layer 2 and choose "copy layer styles" and right click on Layer 1 "paste layer style", it will remove the drop shadow.

would love to see if there is a workflow I am missing here, but I am thinking dragging or alt dragging should allow a way to replace the current layer style if it's the same (maybe by adding Ctrl or something). this should also be available for smart filters - same scenario where you have the same smart filter and want to replace it, not add another.

unless there's is a feature or workflow I am missing here, guess I am off to the feature request page.

[melissapiccone]

Why Hi Fellas... there are plenty of women here

I have never been able to change just one part of the layer style and it is annoying. I don't think you are missing anything...

[Roei Tzoref]

Thanks Melissa, and I stand corrected

[davescm · Accepted solution]

Hi Roei

Try Shift + Alt + Drag  and drag it onto the one you want to replace (works here on Windows I don't know about Mac)

Dave

[Roei Tzoref]

Thank you Dave! YES! I thought I had exhausted all the shortcuts but apparently I did not hold Shift+Alt before starting to drag on top of another layer style. so yes, drag-replace on layer styles works great. I see smart filters do not exhibit the same behavior exactly, and the shortcut is Ctrl+Alt+Drag to replace same existing filter.

so problem solved for both scenarios! information is here for all the community to see. great job Ladies and Gentlemen.