PhotoCraft layer styles and non-destructive edits

Begin with a simple text or shape layer

The official product page describes layer styles among PhotoCraft’s features. Use a short title on its own layer as a practice subject, keeping an unchanged copy of the document.

Before applying a style, confirm the correct layer and note its existing appearance. Find the style controls in your installed version and try one effect at a time. A modest effect is easier to inspect than several combined effects whose contributions are unclear.

Judge the effect at the intended output size

Compare the styled layer with the original by toggling the effect where supported. Inspect thin edges, transparency and the title’s readability over the actual background. A dramatic effect at a high zoom may be distracting or illegible in the final small image.

Keep effect settings available for revision. Rasterising, merging or flattening may reduce future editability, even if the image looks unchanged. Make those changes on a copy when a workflow requires them.

If you are importing a PSD style, compare its appearance with a reference from the source application. Matching names alone do not establish matching rendering.

Check editability after a save

1. Save a new working copy in your chosen layered format.
2. Close and reopen it, then locate the styled layer.
3. Change the text or source content and check whether the style follows the edit.
4. Revisit the effect controls and make a small setting change.
5. Export a reference image and inspect it independently.

For a collaborator, check the saved file in their destination application as well. Record any effect that becomes flattened or renders differently so the handoff expectations are clear.

Continue to the PSD compatibility checklist for imported documents.

Official sources: PhotoCraft product page (opens a new tab) · File-format assessment (opens a new tab) · Feature parity assessment (opens a new tab).