How to Make Text Glow in Photoshop

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During a GoToMeeting conference the other night, Zergdog shared with us how he uses Photoshop CS3 to make glowing text. Photoshop allows you to enhance your text by using many special artistic effects, including drop shadowing, bevel and emboss, and color overlay. To create glowing (or any other enhanced type) text, do the following:

  • From the Layer menu, select Layer Style » Blending Options… The Layer Style dialog box appears.
  • Under Styles, select the desired option (such as outer or inner glow)
  • Make the desired selections and adjustments, such as depth, color, etc.

The following types of enhancements are available:

Drop Shadow: Gives the impression that the text is raised above the background

Inner Shadow: Gives the appearance that the background is raised above the text

Outer Glow: Produces text with the image of soft light emanating from under the words and extending around them

Inner Glow: Produces text that appears semi-transparent and internally lit up

Bevel and Emboss: Produces text that has a realistic, 3D look

Satin: Gives the text’s surface a shiny, smooth appearance

Color Overlay: Overlays the text with color while preserving the highlights and shadows of the text

Gradient Overlay: Overlays the text with a gradient color pattern while preserving the highlights and shadows of the text

Pattern Overlay: Overlays the text with a pattern while preserving the highlights and shadows of the text

Stroke: Adds the appearance of a line drawn on the edge of your text

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