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How do you edit effects in Photoshop?

Published in Photoshop Editing 3 mins read

You can edit effects in Photoshop using several methods, depending on the type of effect applied. Here's a breakdown:

1. Editing Effects Applied Through the "Effects" Menu or Filter Gallery:

  • Locate the Effect: The effects applied directly through the "Effects" or Filter Gallery are typically destructive, meaning they permanently alter the pixels of your layer. To edit them non-destructively, you'd ideally avoid applying effects directly this way.

  • Undo/History Panel: If the effect was just applied, use Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo the action. The History panel (Window > History) allows you to step back through multiple actions.

  • Reapplying with Different Settings: The only way to "edit" a destructively applied effect is often to undo it and then reapply it with different settings.

2. Editing Effects Applied as Smart Filters:

This is the recommended method for applying and editing effects nondestructively in Photoshop.

  • Convert to Smart Object: First, convert the layer to a Smart Object by right-clicking the layer in the Layers panel and selecting "Convert to Smart Object".

  • Apply Filters: Now, when you apply filters (found under Filter Menu), they are applied as Smart Filters.

  • Edit Smart Filters: In the Layers panel, beneath the Smart Object layer, you'll see the applied Smart Filters. Double-click on the name of the specific filter you want to edit. This will reopen the filter dialog box with your previous settings. Adjust the settings as needed.

  • Filter Mask: Smart Filters also have a filter mask, allowing you to selectively apply or remove the filter from specific areas of the layer.

3. Editing Effects Applied as Layer Styles:

Layer Styles (also called Layer Effects) are non-destructive effects added through the Layer panel.

  • Access Layer Styles: Double-click on the layer in the Layers panel, or click the "fx" icon at the bottom of the Layers panel and select the style you want to add.
  • Edit Styles: A Layer Style dialog box will open. Here, you can modify existing styles (e.g., Drop Shadow, Outer Glow, Bevel & Emboss) or add new ones. Each style has adjustable parameters like size, opacity, color, and distance.
  • Visibility: Toggle the visibility of individual effects on or off within the Layer panel.

Example: Editing a Drop Shadow Layer Style

  1. Double-click the layer in the Layers panel.
  2. In the Layer Style dialog box, select "Drop Shadow."
  3. Adjust the "Distance," "Spread," "Size," "Opacity," and "Angle" settings to modify the drop shadow's appearance.
  4. Click "OK" to apply the changes.

4. Editing Effects Applied Through Adjustment Layers

Adjustment Layers are a non-destructive way to apply color and tonal adjustments.

  • Locate Adjustment Layer: They are located in the Layers panel.
  • Adjust Settings: Double-click the icon next to the adjustment layer (e.g., Curves, Levels, Hue/Saturation) to bring up the adjustment panel. Modify the settings as needed.
  • Layer Masks: Use the layer mask associated with the adjustment layer to selectively apply the effect to certain areas of the image.

Summary

Photoshop offers several ways to edit effects. Using Smart Filters, Layer Styles, and Adjustment Layers gives you maximum flexibility and control, as these methods are non-destructive.

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