Get layer style parameters?

How is it possible to set and get layer style parameters? For example read out stroke size, shadow distance, etc...

In case you're still interested about getting and setting layer styles parameters, I've just released a new module jamStyles of my open-source JSON Action Manager scripting library, which provides full support for blending options and layer effects using a fully-documented, simplified JSON object format.
I've also written a quick tutorial showing how to perform a few standard operations, using mainly the two functions jamStyles.getLayerStyle and jamStyles.setLayerStyle.
For instance, the following code sample will set a mildly complex layer style:
var layerStyleObj =
    "blendOptions":
        "fillOpacity": 70,
        "blendInterior": true
    "layerEffects":
        "scale": 100,
        "dropShadow":
            "enabled": true,
            "mode": "multiply",
            "color":
                "red": 0,
                "green": 0,
                "blue": 0
            "opacity": 70,
            "useGlobalAngle": false,
            "localLightingAngle": 90,
            "distance": 6,
            "chokeMatte": 0,
            "blur": 4,
            "noise": 0,
            "antiAlias": false,
            "transparencyShape":
                "name": "Linear",
                "curve":
                        "horizontal": 0,
                        "vertical": 0
                        "horizontal": 255,
                        "vertical": 255
            "layerConceals": true
        "innerShadow":
            "enabled": true,
            "mode": "multiply",
            "color":
                "red": 0,
                "green": 0,
                "blue": 0
            "opacity": 70,
            "useGlobalAngle": false,
            "localLightingAngle": 90,
            "distance": 10,
            "chokeMatte": 15,
            "blur": 20,
            "noise": 0,
            "antiAlias": false,
            "transparencyShape":
                "name": "Linear",
                "curve":
                        "horizontal": 0,
                        "vertical": 0
                        "horizontal": 255,
                        "vertical": 255
        "innerGlow":
            "enabled": true,
            "mode": "linearDodge",
            "color":
                "red": 255,
                "green": 246,
                "blue": 168
            "opacity": 31,
            "glowTechnique": "preciseMatte",
            "chokeMatte": 0,
            "blur": 20,
            "shadingNoise": 0,
            "noise": 0,
            "antiAlias": true,
            "innerGlowSource": "centerGlow",
            "transparencyShape":
                "name": "Half Round",
                "curve":
                        "horizontal": 0,
                        "vertical": 0
                        "horizontal": 29,
                        "vertical": 71
                        "horizontal": 87,
                        "vertical": 167
                        "horizontal": 195,
                        "vertical": 240
                        "horizontal": 255,
                        "vertical": 255
            "inputRange": 43
        "bevelEmboss":
            "enabled": true,
            "highlightMode": "screen",
            "highlightColor":
                "red": 255,
                "green": 255,
                "blue": 255
            "highlightOpacity": 100,
            "shadowMode": "multiply",
            "shadowColor":
                "red": 0,
                "green": 0,
                "blue": 0
            "shadowOpacity": 100,
            "bevelTechnique": "softMatte",
            "bevelStyle": "innerBevel",
            "useGlobalAngle": false,
            "localLightingAngle": 90,
            "localLightingAltitude": 75,
            "strengthRatio": 80,
            "blur": 16,
            "bevelDirection": "stampIn",
            "transparencyShape":
                "name": "Linear",
                "curve":
                        "horizontal": 0,
                        "vertical": 0
                        "horizontal": 255,
                        "vertical": 255
            "antialiasGloss": false,
            "softness": 0,
            "useShape": true,
            "mappingShape":
                "name": "Half Round",
                "curve":
                        "horizontal": 0,
                        "vertical": 0
                        "horizontal": 29,
                        "vertical": 71
                        "horizontal": 87,
                        "vertical": 167
                        "horizontal": 195,
                        "vertical": 240
                        "horizontal": 255,
                        "vertical": 255
            "antiAlias": true,
            "inputRange": 70,
            "useTexture": false
        "solidFill":
            "enabled": true,
            "mode": "normal",
            "opacity": 100,
            "color":
                "red": 0,
                "green": 102,
                "blue": 255
jamStyles.setLayerStyle (layerStyleObj);
And this code will let you read out the drop shadow distance:
var layerStyleObj = jamStyles.getLayerStyle ();
if (layerStyleObj)
    if ("layerEffects" in layerStyleObj)
        var layerEffectsObj = layerStyleObj["layerEffects"];
        if ("dropShadow" in layerEffectsObj)
            var dropShadowObj = layerEffectsObj["dropShadow"];
            alert ("Drop shadow distance: " + dropShadowObj["distance"]);
Actually, if you know for sure that the current layer you're working on has layer effects, including a drop shadow effect, the code can be as short as:
var layerStyleObj = jamStyles.getLayerStyle ();
alert ("Drop shadow distance: " + layerStyleObj["layerEffects"]["dropShadow"]["distance"]);
Or, even shorter, using dot notation:
alert ("Drop shadow distance: " + jamStyles.getLayerStyle ().layerEffects.dropShadow.distance);
HTH,
     --Mikaeru

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Get layer style settings from the differences between 2 images.

Hello People,
I have a question:
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Let's say I have an icon that's just a house.
[img]http://s6.postimage.org/xfpzl5hl9/image.png[/img]
And I have a house with outer glow.
[img]http://s6.postimage.org/h6un7v2a5/0_h.png[/img]
Is it then possible to get the settings used in the outer glow?
greets Ruud.

You won't get the actual numerical settings, but if you load both layers in the same document, and change the blend mode of the top layer to Difference, you can see the difference between the two images. Thus:

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Thanks!

Well, I ended up copying all of the layers from the old PSD to a CS4 psd and it worked. Since it is a web page it had a lot of layers and it was a major pain in the hooey... but it did work.

I'm trying to install a layer style (.asl) in photoshop cc 2014 and I get the error message 'Could not place the document 'filename.asl' because no parser or file format can open the file.' Any suggestions?

I get the same error when trying the same thing with the default styles, so it's not the file.

So, if you click on one on of the layer style sets already on the list, such as Text Effects 2, you get the same message?
Which version of mac os x are you using?
Did you upgrade your mac os with photoshop cc 2014 already installed?
Do you have the lastest version of photoshop cc 2014, which should be 2014.2.1
(listed at the top of Help>System Info from within photoshop)
Do you see the same layer styles as shown above on your list?
Have you moved/copied any plugins from an earlier version of photoshop to the photoshop cc 2014 plugins folder?
The layer styles shown on the list above are the styles that ship with cc 2014 and should be in
/Applications/Adobe Photoshop CC 2014/Presets/Styles
(the mac applications folder where all the other mac applications are installed)
You might try resetting the preferences, but you might need to uninstall photoshop cc 2014 and then reinstall.
(don't drag the cc 2014 to the trash, but use the Uninstall Adobe Photoshop CC 2014 in the photoshop cc 2014 application folder)
To reset the preferences
Press and hold down the Shift+Command+Option keys while starting photoshop cc 2014
Keep holding the keys down until you get a dialog asking if you want to delete the adobe photoshop settings file
Press Yes

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It's possibile to acces a layer style (ex. drop shadow) from a filter plugin?

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// find if the following brush is loaded
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function FindBrushPresetByName( brushPresetName ) {
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     var presetManagerStrID = stringIDToTypeID( 'presetManager');
     ref.putProperty( charIDToTypeID( 'Prpr' ), presetManagerStrID );
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     var desc = executeActionGet( ref );
     if ( desc.count > 0 && desc.hasKey( presetManagerStrID ) ) {
          var list = desc.getList( presetManagerStrID );
          var toolPresetClassID = stringIDToTypeID( 'toolPreset' );
          for ( var i = 0; i < list.count; i++ ) {
               var listType = list.getObjectType( i );
               if ( listType == toolPresetClassID ) {
                    var toolDescObj = list.getObjectValue( i );
                    var keyName = charIDToTypeID( 'Nm ' );
                    if ( toolDescObj.count > 0 && toolDescObj.hasKey( keyName ) ) {
                         var toolNameList = toolDescObj.getList( keyName );
                         for ( var ii = 0; ii < toolNameList.count; ii++ ) {
                              var toolName = toolNameList.getString( ii );
                              if ( toolName == brushPresetName ) {
                                   return true;
     return false;

Installing new layer styles in PSE 7

What is the correct way to install new layer styles into pse 7? ( I use Vista)
Do I move my extracted style file into the layer styles folder by following this pathway: program data>adobe>photoshop elements>7.0>photo creations>layer styles.
Do I need to create a metafile too?
Thank you for helping me, I have about a dozen styles I need to add, but I am unsure how to get it done properly.

Hello,
You need to create a metadata.xml file too to view it in a specific category of your choioce.
You need to paste the two things :
1) .asl file.
2) metadata.xml,
to the following location:
C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\8.0\Photo Creations\layer styles.
Here you need to add the two files and relaunch PSE. This will show you the presets in the layer styles category with.
While creating the metadat.xml file you need to take care of two things:
1) Add a new category name so that you can easily find them.
2) You need to verify that Type value is set "Style as mentioned : <type value="style" />
Hope this helps you.

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I've reset my preferences (alt+ctl+shift) but it didn't help.
Can anyone suggest to me what I can do to wake up this palette?? I've got work pending and my online searches have left me empty handed.
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Thank you both for your responses.
John: The file is PSD, RGB mode, 300dpi. Last night, I tried the layer styles in another file and it wouldn't' work.... another NEW file. Today, I opened an existing file that had layers styles already in effect and I can see them, I can click them on/off AND I can put layer styles onto other layers in the existing files that did not have them previously. I just tried creating a new file and, of course, the layer styles now work in the NEW file.... this is something I tried last night and it didn't work at that time.
Ed: Yes, I'm on the right layer. I've tried it on several layers, none of which are transparent. Thanks for the heads up.
So, this tells me it's something to do with this particular image file. I must've accidentally hit something that's put it into a strange mode. Last night, out of frustration, I just gave up, shut it all down, and turned the computer off. This morning, I went in and created a new image document and then one by one I copied and pasted the layers of my malfunctioning image into the new one. Now I can get the layers to work.
I have no idea what was wrong, but it seems I should just trash the problematic file and start fresh. At least the individual layers were not compressed and it's still salvagable.
Thank you both for your time and consideration!
Lisa

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Curt Welch
[email protected]

MY LAYER STYLES AND PHOTO EFFECTS ARE NOT SHOWING UP WHE I CLICK THE BOX, NO DROP SHADOW, ETC

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SplendidAngst wrote:
<snip>
Then, I save the layer styles for use later, but no. When I do everything exactly the same way, my Layer Style that I saved has lost all it coordinates of shadows and stroke widths, bevels, you name it, it's screwed up.<snip>
Adobe Photoshop CS4 & CS5.
Seems to me you left out the most critical piece of information, that is, HOW did you save the layer style for later use ?
You might read this tutorial to see if you did it correctly.
Paulo

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Hello,
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Thanks Barbara,
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You'll get better answers on that in the proper PSE forum.
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Hi
I am trying to install new layer styles in PSE8 using Vista. I can get them to appear in the "All" section but I am trying to get them to appear in the dropdown list with no success.
I have created an xml file with the same name as the .asl file and this contains the following:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<PSEContent xmlns="http://ns.adobe.com/PSEContent/2.0/">
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A program-installer has come to my attention:
http://www.graficalicus.com/graffishop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=37&zen id=ba0034657f73d7300ab449e312ba5463
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Layer Styles and using Delete Key PSE4

Hello,
Slowly getting getting to know PSE4, will take more time. Finding lots of tips here in this forum and other similiar forums and sites.
Have two quick Questions:
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2. When doing the last stage of a vignette, I had to use the backspace or delete key. I found this out by reading in this forum. Where is that documented in the Help? Is the backspace/delete key the only way, or is there a menu/mouse click also?
Using XP Pro SP2
TonyC

Hi and thanks everyone for the replies. I will have to take another look in the Help Section, I looked everywhere and could not find that shortcut listed. Maybe I was looking for Backspace, and should be looking for Delete.
I will be contacting Jodi shortly via email.
Am confused about the "Adobe Photoshop Elements One-Click Wow by Jack Davis, ISBN 0-321-30468-3." Is this a book? Doing a web search all I can find is a book. Can someone send me a good link for more info on this. If actual styles and layers, will it work in PSE4?
Something else: Please don't take this the wrong way, but I like to know is the subscription worth getting? I'm 50/50 on getting it or not.
Thanks again!
Tony

Get layer style parameters?

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