Double-click a layer (not the layer name) to open the Layer Style dialog.
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Smart objects
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Manage contours
Last updated on
Oct 27, 2025
Learn how to use the Contour Editor to customize layer style effects like shadows, glows, and bevels in Adobe Photoshop.
Layer styles in Photoshop allow you to add effects like shadows, glows, and bevels to your layers. While the default settings work well for many situations, you can create more sophisticated and unique effects by customizing how these effects blend and fade using contours.
Contours control how layer effects transition from opaque to transparent areas or how they blend from one color to another. By modifying contours, you can create custom shadows with unique falloff patterns, distinctive bevels with special lighting effects, or glows with non-standard fading characteristics.
Access and modify contours
Select an effect that supports contours, such as Drop Shadow, Inner Shadow, Outer Glow, Inner Glow, Bevel and Emboss, or Satin.
Select the contour thumbnail to open the Contour Editor.
Modify the curve and select OK.
Tip
To save your custom contour for future use, select New and give it a name.
Select OK.
Understand contour applications
- For Drop Shadow and Inner Shadow, the contour controls the opacity falloff of the shadow.
- For Outer Glow and Inner Glow, the contour determines how the glow fades from its origin.
- For Bevel & Emboss, the contour shapes how the highlight and shadow transition across the surface.
- For Satin, the contour affects how the effect wraps around the edges of your layer content.
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