Select Layer > Layer Style > Global Light.
Last updated on
Dec 2, 2025
Learn how to configure a unified lighting direction that automatically applies to layer effects in Adobe Photoshop.
When creating designs with several layer effects in Photoshop, maintaining a consistent light source creates a more realistic and cohesive appearance. The global lighting feature ensures that shadows and highlights across different layers appear to come from the same direction.
Global lighting applies to layer effects that use directional lighting, such as Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, and Bevel and Emboss. When you turn on global lighting for these effects, changing the angle in one location updates it everywhere, saving time and ensuring visual consistency throughout your design.
Set the global lighting angle
Enter a value in the Angle field or drag the angle radius to set the direction of light.
Adjust the Altitude values to control the height of the light source.
Select OK.
Set global lighting from a layer effect
Double-click a layer in the Layers panel to open the Layer Style dialog.
Select Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, or Bevel & Emboss.
Select Use Global Light to enable global lighting for this effect.
Adjust the Angle and Altitude values.
Select OK.
