Photoshop CC: The Missing Manual, 2nd Edition

Global Lighting

When you add a layer style that includes embossing, a shadow, or other depth-related effect to a video layer, you can set its lighting angle. And if you apply layer styles to multiple layers in a video project, you probably want all the light to look like it’s coming from the same angle.

To ensure consistent lighting, you can add a global lighting track, which overrides any other lighting angles that may have been set in individual layers. (To change the angle of the light over time, you can add multiple global lighting keyframes that have different lighting angles.)

To set a global lighting angle and apply it to your video project:

1. From the Timeline panel’s menu, choose Show→Global Light Track.

   In the Timeline panel, Photoshop adds the Global Light track to the top of the track stack.

2. Create a new layer by clicking the New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.

3. Add a layer style by clicking the fx at the bottom of the Layers panel.

   Pick Bevel & Emboss, Inner Shadow, or Drop Shadow, as those styles offer a Use Global Light option. When you make your choice, Photoshop opens the Layer Style dialog box.

4. In the Layer Style dialog box, set the lighting angle and make sure Use Global Light is turned on.

   Use the Angle dial to set the angle you want for the first portion of your project (you can also type a number into the field to its right), turn on the Use Global Light checkbox, and then click OK.

5. In the Timeline panel, move the playhead to the beginning of your project, ...