Working with Bevel and Emboss
The Bevel and Emboss style, second only to Drop Shadow in popularity, creates the 3-D illusion of roundness to a flat surface. You can apply the Bevel layer style to text, to get the impression of 3-D text. If the layer you're applying the Bevel and Emboss to has no transparent areas, the style will be applied to the outer edge of the image, and if you want to move away from the standard rounded bevel, you can now use a Chisel Hard Technique, that makes a bevel appear as if it's carved out of stone.

Work with Bevel and Emboss
Select the Layers palette.
Select the layer you want to apply the Bevel and Emboss style.
Click the Add Layer Style button, and then click Bevel And Emboss .
Select from the available Bevel and Emboss options:
Style.
Click the list arrow, and then select from Outer Bevel, Inner Bevel (default), Emboss, Pillow Emboss, and Stroke Emboss.
Technique.
Click the list arrow, and then select from Smooth (default), Chisel Hard, and Chisel Soft.
Depth.
Enter 0 to 1000 percent. Higher Depth values increase the intensity of the bevel or emboss.
Direction.
Click the Up or Down option to reverse the highlight and shadows of the Bevel or Emboss.
Size.
Enter 0 to 250 pixels, or drag the slider left or right. Size determines how much of the image is used to create the Bevel/Emboss style.
Soften.
Enter 0 to 16 pixels. The higher the value, the softer the edge of the bevel (default: 5).
Angle.
Enter 0 to 360 degrees. Angle determines the angle of the light source in relation to the bevel/emboss (default: 30).
Use Global Light.
Select the check box to conform the angle of the bevel and emboss to any other styles applied to other layers.
Altitude.
Enter a value from 0 to 90 degrees. Altitude determines the height of the light source, in relationship to the image.
Gloss Contour.
Click the list arrow, and then select from the available options. Gloss Contours are mathematical curves that determine the brightness of the bevel/emboss at different levels.
Highlight Mode.
Click the list arrow and Color box, and then select a blending mode and color for the highlight (default: Screen, white).
Opacity for Highlight Mode.
Enter a value from 0 to 100 percent. Opacity determines the overall transparency of the highlight. Higher values equate to more aggressive highlights.
Shadow Mode.
Click the list arrow and Color box, and then select a blending mode and color for the shadow (default: Multiply, black).For Your Information
Understanding the Contour Option The Contour option redistributes the brightness levels of the shadow and highlights portions of the bevel and emboss. By experimenting with an alternate contour, you can enhance the realism of a bevel, or create a surrealistic emboss.
Opacity for Shadow Mode.
Enter a value from 0 to 100 percent. Opacity determines the overall transparency of the shadow. Higher values equate to more aggressive shadows.
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