Introduction | Beginning and Finding an Image | Editing an Image | Working With an Image | Advanced Editing
Adding a Gradient | Adding Text | Layer / Text Effects | Fill Patterns | Saving

Layer / Text Effects:
That's very plain looking. Let's add some effects to the text. While still on the new text layer, select the "Layer Style" window from the "Layer" menu. A list of effects you can apply will appear. The most basic and widely used effect is the "Drop Shadow"; select this from the list.

The "Layer Style" window will appear set to the "Drop Shadow" window. As you make adjustments in the window, notice that you will be able to see all the changes directly on your canvas (none of these changes will actually stick and take effect, however, until you click "OK"). Play with the "Opacity" slider to set the desired transparency of the shadow. The "Distance" slider adjusts how close or far away from the text the shadow will be. The "Spread" slider adjusts how thick the shadow will be (with zero being the same size as the text), while "Size" adjusts what proportion to the original size (both height and width) the shadow will be. Below, you can also adjust the "Noise" slider, which will "break up" the quality of the shadow.

For example's sake, the image below is set to an opacity of 25%, distance of 10, spread of 65, and size of 1 (no noise set).

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