How to install and use LAYER STYLES in Photoshop & Photoshop Elements

Learn how to load, use, optimize, and unload layer styles in Adobe Photoshop and in Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Photoshop styles are stored in a container file with an ".asl" extension. The Photoshop Styles files that you download from PanosFX.com are compressed as zip files. Make sure you decompress the zip file and then follow the instructions below for your Photoshop version.

You can apply a style to any layer (we usually apply them to text or shape layers).

To apply a style to a layer: go to the Styles panel (Window > Styles) and then double-click a style thumbnail to apply it. 

To remove a style from a layer: right-click on the layer name and select Clear Layer Style from the menu.

To edit a style: double-click the fx icon next to the layer name.  

To scale the style settings so that they look optimal: select Layer > Layer Style > Scale Effects and drag the Scale Layer Effects slider to your liking. You can fine-tune the various style settings by double-clicking the fx button next to the layer name.

To create a new layer style (in Photoshop only): select a layer and click the fx button on the Layers panel. Adjust the parameters for the settings that make up a layer style (e.g. drop shadow, bevel & emboss, glows, etc). When you finish, go to the Styles panel and select New Style Preset from the menu (or click the plus button).

To export your style(s) to a file (in Photoshop only): go to the Styles panel, right click on the style's thumbnail and select Export Selected Styles. If you wish to export multiple styles into the same file, hold down Control (mac: Command) and click on the style names to select them. Right click on any of the thumbnails of the selected styles and choose Export Selected Styles.

In Photoshop:

Go to the Styles Panel (Window > Styles), select the name of the styles set and click the panel's trashcan icon. This won't delete the files from your hard disk; it will merely unload the styles from Photoshop and free up valuable resources.

In Photoshop Elements:

Go to the Styles Panel (Window > Styles), click the down arrow at the top of the panel and select the set that you wish to unload.

Then click the panel's menu button and select Delete (styles name). This won't delete the files from your hard disk; it will merely unload the styles from Photoshop Elements and free up valuable resources.