Inner Shadow and Inner Glow are Photoshop Layer Styles used to create depth, lighting and decorative effects inside the edges of a layer. They are useful for text, buttons, shapes, cards, icons and other graphic elements.
Inner Shadow is a Layer Style that creates a shadow inside the edges of a layer.
Object
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Inside Edge
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Inner Shadow
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Depth EffectIt can make a flat object appear pressed, recessed or deeper.
Inner Glow is a Layer Style that creates a glowing effect inside the edges of a layer.
Object
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Inside Edge
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Inner Glow
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Lighting EffectIt can create soft highlights, glowing buttons and creative text effects.
| Inner Shadow | Inner Glow |
|---|---|
| Creates a darker effect | Creates a brighter effect |
| Usually creates depth | Usually creates light |
| Useful for recessed effects | Useful for glowing effects |
| Works inside the edges | Works inside the edges |
Both effects are available inside the Layer Style options.
Layers Panel
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fx
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Layer Style
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Inner Shadow / Inner GlowSelect the required layer before applying the effect.
The Blend Mode controls how the Inner Shadow interacts with the colors of the layer.
A darkening blend mode is commonly used for realistic shadows. Different modes can be used for creative effects.
Inner Shadow
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Layer Colors
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Blend Mode
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Final AppearanceThe Color setting controls the color used to create the Inner Shadow.
Dark neutral colors are commonly used for realistic depth. Colored shadows can also be used for creative designs.
Opacity controls the strength of the Inner Shadow.
100%
↓
Strong Shadow
50%
↓
Medium Shadow
20%
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Subtle ShadowLower opacity is often useful for natural-looking interface elements.
Angle controls the direction from which the Inner Shadow appears.
Light Direction
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Object Edge
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Inner Shadow DirectionKeep the angle consistent with other shadows and highlights in the design.
Distance controls how far the Inner Shadow moves away from the edge of the layer.
Small Distance
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Shadow Close to Edge
Large Distance
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Shadow Moves Further InsideChoke controls how tightly the Inner Shadow is concentrated around the edge before it becomes softer.
Low Choke
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Softer Transition
High Choke
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More Concentrated ShadowThe correct value depends on the design and the desired depth.
Size controls the softness and spread of the Inner Shadow.
Small Size
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Sharper Edge
Large Size
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Softer ShadowContour changes the way the Inner Shadow's transparency behaves across its edge.
Different contour shapes can create different shadow characteristics and special effects.
Noise adds small random variations to the Inner Shadow.
It can sometimes help create texture or reduce an overly smooth appearance, but it should generally be used carefully.
Inner Glow also has a Blend Mode setting that controls how the glow interacts with the layer.
Inner Glow
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Layer Colors
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Blend Mode
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Glow AppearanceThe Color setting determines the color of the Inner Glow.
White or light colors can create highlights, while bright colored glows can create creative neon-style effects.
Light Color
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Soft Highlight
Bright Color
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Creative GlowOpacity controls the strength of the Inner Glow.
100%
↓
Strong Glow
50%
↓
Medium Glow
20%
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Subtle GlowLower opacity is often useful for professional and realistic designs.
Inner Glow can use different source behavior depending on the effect you want to create.
Edge-based glow is useful for creating highlights around the inside boundary of an object.
Choke controls how concentrated the Inner Glow becomes before transitioning into its softer area.
Low Choke
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Soft Glow Transition
High Choke
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Concentrated GlowSize controls the spread and softness of the Inner Glow.
Small Size
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Narrow Glow
Large Size
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Wide Soft GlowExperiment with size while viewing the design at 100% zoom.
Inner Shadow and Inner Glow can be combined to create depth and lighting at the same time.
Object
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Inner Shadow
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Inner Glow
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Depth + HighlightThis technique can be useful for buttons, badges and decorative objects.
Inner Shadow can make a button appear pressed into its background.
Inner Glow can create a bright highlight inside a button.
Button
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Inner Glow
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Soft Highlight
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Glowing ButtonChoose a glow color that matches the overall design.
Inner Shadow and Inner Glow can be applied to text layers to create decorative typography.
Text
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Inner Shadow
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Depth
Text
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Inner Glow
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HighlightCombine these effects with Stroke or Gradient Overlay for more advanced text designs.
Inner Glow can be used as part of a neon-style effect.
Layer Opacity and individual Layer Style opacity controls work differently.
Layer Opacity
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Entire Layer
Inner Shadow Opacity
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Shadow Only
Inner Glow Opacity
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Glow OnlyUnderstanding these controls helps you create subtle effects.
Practice Inner Shadow and Inner Glow using a simple shape.
Create a modern button using Inner Shadow and Inner Glow.
Rounded Rectangle
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Gradient / Color
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Inner Shadow
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Inner Glow
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Text
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Modern ButtonKeep both effects subtle so that the button remains clean and readable.
Inner Shadow and Inner Glow are useful Layer Styles for creating depth, highlights and creative effects inside the edges of a layer.
Inner Shadow creates a darker effect, while Inner Glow creates a brighter effect. Both provide controls such as Blend Mode, Color, Opacity, Angle, Distance, Choke and Size.
These effects can be used with text, shapes, buttons, cards, logos and interface elements. Combining them carefully can create professional and attractive designs.
Question: Which Layer Style creates a darker shadow effect inside the edges of an object?