Copy the result of an effect on one layer to a new layer

Question

I have a rectangular shape that has a colour overlay and drop shadow in a layer. Now, I want to create a new layer containing only a rasterized version of the effect from the current layer.

To put it simply:

Layer 1: Shape + shape-drop-shadow; (Create new Layer 2) Layer 2: shape-drop-shadow;

Meaning, I'm not looking for how to copy effects between layers, but rather the actual result of the effect of one layer to a new layer.

Answer 1

Try the following:

1. Select the layer you want to copy.
2. CTRL+J to duplicate it.
3. Right-click the new layer and select Rasterize Layer Style.
4. CTRL+ click the shape icon in the new layer in the layer palette to select it and press DELETE to keep just the effect.

EDIT: Missed the part about the color overlay, my answer works for the drop shadow and other effects outside of the shape.

Answer 2

If you did need the effects of the colour overlay / blend modes as well as layer styles, which can get lost in Rasterize Layer Style, there's a simple workaround I quite often use:

• Hide every other layer (alt-click the eye symbol)
• Select > All (ctrl+A)
• Edit > Copy Merged (ctrl+shift+C) which copies the output of all visible layers as one (you must be in any layer that's visible, or it doesn't work)
• Paste

It pastes a new layer containing the final pixel output of whatever was going on in the unhidden layer(s) - including transparency, blending, and layer styles. Then overlay / blend modes etc can be applied to that layer to make it play nicely with everything else.

Answer 3

This has been many years late, but I posted this answer just in case other people need it.

This method was tested with Inner Shadow effect of Blending Options in Photoshop CC 2015.

1. Select the layer (which is have effect) on the layer palette. Do not Rasterize it.
2. Decrease the Fill scroll slider to 0%. It is the slider under the Opacity slider.

You are now get the effect with transparent background.

Answer 4

First copy old layer and paste to new document second copy old layer style and paste to new document !