Inner Shadow Problem in PS 2021

Question

I'm attempting to create a virtual matte around an image by applying an inner shadow to a rectangle around the image. However, I would like the the shadow to be equal around the whole perimeter of the rectangle. I first thought I could apply two mirrored Inner Shadow styles to the rectangle, but when I add the second Inner Shadow style (by using the "+" option in the Layer Style dialoge) I can't change the settings -- it only duplicates the first Layer Style settings.

I then thought I could create one rectangle filling half the total matte area, apply an inner shadow shadow style, and then copy and flip the second rectangle to create the effect. However PS 2021 won't allow me to do that; when the copied rectangle is flipped, it immediately takes on the settings of the original rectangle. Same thing when I create two entirely separate rectangles and apply Inner Shadow: the second rectangle "adopts" the style settings of the first, so I can't mirror the shadow effect.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

Jeff Arola · Accepted Answer

I think you just need one Inner Shadow Style. While the Layer Style dialog is open you can set the Distance to 0 (zero) or drag on the canvas to move the shadow and center it.

learningful · Answer

Thank you Jeff! I hadn't used this style for many PS versions, but should have been able to figure it out. Thanks again.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded