Double and Triple Drop Shadow

By Dirk Metzmacher

It is well known that a layer style can only be applied once. So if you click on Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow, it’s not possible to create a double drop shadow, such as one with Angle: 120 degrees, Distance: 2 px and Size: 2px and another with Angle: 180 degrees, Distance: 12 px and Size: 12 px.

Oh, but yes. It is possible. And it’s actually very simple and editable at all times, which means it’s a non-destructive method. First of all, apply the first drop shadow as you’re used to. Then right-click on the layer and choose Convert to Smart Object from the menu.

This smart object can have another drop shadow applied to it. And a smart object can be converted to another smart object, too. In this way you could add a third and a fourth drop shadow. Or you could create multiple outlines. Or even several pattern overlays which interact through different blending modes.

By the way: In order to put one or more styles onto a layer of their own, right-click on the fx symbol and choose Create Layer from the list. Now these styles can have filters applied to them, for example, but they cannot be edited anymore.