PS 2020 Problems with Bevel & Emboss

[tomaszkkk]

Dear Community,

I unsucessfully try to create an effect o text "sinking" into the page, but forms still appear to "come out". Any idea why? Take a look at the screenshot below, please:

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Have you tried 135˚ or a little less? 

In general it is »customary« to assume a lightsource to the upper left, so yours may be a bit low. 

[tomaszkkk]

Unfortunately, it did not work...

[c.pfaffenbichler]

You know that you changed the Direction to »Up« from »Down« in the previous screenshot? 

[tomaszkkk]

I did, but it doesn't matter which option I choose — "Up" or "Down" — because the form is always convex. And I desperately want it concave!

[c.pfaffenbichler]

»but it doesn't matter which option I choose«

What are you talking about? 

Of course it makes a difference. 

[tomaszkkk]

But your text is not "carved"...

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Then by all means explain what you actually mean by »carved« and »convex«. 

[tomaszkkk]

Image below might be desscribed as "carved"...

[c.pfaffenbichler]

In that case you may want to try Outer Bevel and an Inner Shadow. 

[tomaszkkk]

Thank you. Now it's finally getting better. However, Inner Shadow effect (meaning: the very shadow inside the letter) is invisible. Would you show me your settings?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

[tomaszkkk]

Unfortunately, it still doesn't work, even though I changed the settings.

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

What are the complete Layer Sytles you applied? 

Is a Color Overlay involved? 

[Amir24292462mpjl]

This image's emboss changes from up to down.

Depending on factors like how much contrast you have...
.....Often, no matter which option you choose, if you stare at the text for a few seconds, the emboss will change from up to down, or from down to up. Even if you focus on a single letter, within 10 seconds, the emboss will change up to down or down to up.

I look at the bright side: the viewer gets to see both up and down within seconds...
.....It is true that sometimes you need one or the other, otherwise your whole collage is thrown off.

@amirdread

Check out my art; you've never seen this art before! 
https://www.BugArt.NYC

[Amir24292462mpjl]

You are absolutely correct. Depending on factors like how much contrast you have...
.....Often, no matter which option you choose, if you stare at the text for a few seconds, the emboss will change from up to down, or from down to up. Even if you focus on a single letter, within 10 seconds, the emboss will change up to down or down to up.

I look at the bright side: the viewer gets to see both up and down within seconds...
.....It is true that sometimes you need one or the other, otherwise your whole collage is thrown off.

@amirdread

Check out my art; you've never seen this art before! 
https://www.BugArt.NYC

[jane-e]

In addition to c_p's good advice, you might read this similar thread from 2018:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop/text-engraved-in-wood-effect/td-p/10224557

~ Jane