Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this lesson you will learn how to use Blend Modes & add Layer Style to change how layers interact with each other and to add visual effects such as shadows, strokes, glows, and overlays.
Exercise Files:
https://dub.sh/aeugfiles
1. Introduction to Layer Styles and Blend Modes
1. Layer Styles in Photoshop and After Effects
1. Common styles: bevel and emboss, stroke, glows, shadows, overlays.
2. Blend Modes
1. Control interaction between layers based on lightness and color values.
2. Importing and Preserving Layer Styles and Blend Modes
1. Importing Photoshop Files
1. Steps to import as a composition retaining layer sizes.
2. Importance of choosing editable layer styles.
2. Preserving Layer Styles and Blend Modes
1. Checking and editing imported layer styles and blend modes.
3. Accessing and Managing Layer Styles
1. Viewing and Editing Layer Styles
1. Twirling open layers to see and edit styles.
2. Toggling Modes and Switches
1. Keyboard shortcuts (F4) and menu options for toggling modes.
3. Converting Merged Layer Styles
1. Steps to convert merged layer styles into editable styles.
4. Adding and Customizing Layer Styles
1. Adding Layer Styles
1. Right-click or top menu options for adding styles.
2. Example: Adding a color overlay and changing color.
2. Layer Style Blend Modes
1. Each style has its own blend mode, which can be combined with layer blend modes.
3. Removing Layer Styles
1. Methods: Select and delete, right-click menu, top menu options.
4. Show All Layer Styles
1. Caution: "Show All" adds all available styles to a layer.
5. Comparison Between Layer Styles and Effects
1. Effects Similar to Layer Styles
1. Examples: Drop shadow, fill effect, stroke effect.
2. Choosing Between Layer Styles and Effects
1. Simplicity of layer styles vs. complexity and stack-ability of effects.
2. Technical rendering differences: effects before transform, layer styles after.
3. Special considerations for 3D layers.
6. Applying and Cycling Through Blend Modes
1. Changing Blend Modes
1. Found under the mode column in the layers panel.
2. Keyboard shortcuts: Shift + Equal, Shift + Minus.
2. Practical Use of Blend Modes
1. Adding texture, grunge, or natural looks to layers.
3. Keyboard Shortcuts for Layer Management
1. Command/Ctrl + left/right bracket keys for moving layers.
7. Advanced Use of Blend Modes
1. Combining Blend Modes and Effects
1. Example: Adding contrast or color with curves or levels effects.
2. Knocking Out Backgrounds
1. Using blend modes to remove white or black backgrounds.
2. Examples: Subtractive (darken, multiply) and additive (add, lighten, screen) blend modes.
8. Working with Animated Textures
1. Adding and Adjusting Animated Textures
1. Using blend modes to integrate animated textures into compositions.
2. Full-Screen Preview
1. Tilda (grave) key for full-screen view, Spacebar for navigation.
9. Practical Tips and Best Practices
1. Experimentation with Blend Modes
1. Cycling through blend modes to find desired effects.
2. Combining Layer Styles and Blend Modes
1. Fine-tuning results by combining both features.
3. Troubleshooting Common Issues
4. Addressing expression errors and rendering issues.
In this lesson you will learn how to use Blend Modes & add Layer Style to change how layers interact with each other and to add visual effects such as shadows, strokes, glows, and overlays.
Exercise Files:
https://dub.sh/aeugfiles
1. Introduction to Layer Styles and Blend Modes
1. Layer Styles in Photoshop and After Effects
1. Common styles: bevel and emboss, stroke, glows, shadows, overlays.
2. Blend Modes
1. Control interaction between layers based on lightness and color values.
2. Importing and Preserving Layer Styles and Blend Modes
1. Importing Photoshop Files
1. Steps to import as a composition retaining layer sizes.
2. Importance of choosing editable layer styles.
2. Preserving Layer Styles and Blend Modes
1. Checking and editing imported layer styles and blend modes.
3. Accessing and Managing Layer Styles
1. Viewing and Editing Layer Styles
1. Twirling open layers to see and edit styles.
2. Toggling Modes and Switches
1. Keyboard shortcuts (F4) and menu options for toggling modes.
3. Converting Merged Layer Styles
1. Steps to convert merged layer styles into editable styles.
4. Adding and Customizing Layer Styles
1. Adding Layer Styles
1. Right-click or top menu options for adding styles.
2. Example: Adding a color overlay and changing color.
2. Layer Style Blend Modes
1. Each style has its own blend mode, which can be combined with layer blend modes.
3. Removing Layer Styles
1. Methods: Select and delete, right-click menu, top menu options.
4. Show All Layer Styles
1. Caution: "Show All" adds all available styles to a layer.
5. Comparison Between Layer Styles and Effects
1. Effects Similar to Layer Styles
1. Examples: Drop shadow, fill effect, stroke effect.
2. Choosing Between Layer Styles and Effects
1. Simplicity of layer styles vs. complexity and stack-ability of effects.
2. Technical rendering differences: effects before transform, layer styles after.
3. Special considerations for 3D layers.
6. Applying and Cycling Through Blend Modes
1. Changing Blend Modes
1. Found under the mode column in the layers panel.
2. Keyboard shortcuts: Shift + Equal, Shift + Minus.
2. Practical Use of Blend Modes
1. Adding texture, grunge, or natural looks to layers.
3. Keyboard Shortcuts for Layer Management
1. Command/Ctrl + left/right bracket keys for moving layers.
7. Advanced Use of Blend Modes
1. Combining Blend Modes and Effects
1. Example: Adding contrast or color with curves or levels effects.
2. Knocking Out Backgrounds
1. Using blend modes to remove white or black backgrounds.
2. Examples: Subtractive (darken, multiply) and additive (add, lighten, screen) blend modes.
8. Working with Animated Textures
1. Adding and Adjusting Animated Textures
1. Using blend modes to integrate animated textures into compositions.
2. Full-Screen Preview
1. Tilda (grave) key for full-screen view, Spacebar for navigation.
9. Practical Tips and Best Practices
1. Experimentation with Blend Modes
1. Cycling through blend modes to find desired effects.
2. Combining Layer Styles and Blend Modes
1. Fine-tuning results by combining both features.
3. Troubleshooting Common Issues
4. Addressing expression errors and rendering issues.
