Member Avatar for ytregnn

I'm trying to follow this tutorial; http://www.pixel2life.com/viewtutorial/41202/globe_create_a_very_cool_cartoonish_shiny_globe_icon_in_minutes/

For some reason, after having created a circle with the Ellipse Tool, 'Layer Style' (Layer - Layer Style) is greyed out. What could be the cause of this?

Thank you.

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Dani AI

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Quick checklist and concise fixes for the "Layer Style" menu being unavailable (following s original symptom).

As hinted, confirm the Ellipse tool actually created a shape layer and not a path. With the Ellipse (or any Shape) tool active, look at the options bar and choose the Shape/Shape Layer mode (not Path). If you already have a work path, open Window > Paths, right‑click the path and use "Fill Path" or "Make Selection" then create a new pixel/shape layer, or simply redraw the circle in Shape mode. Layer styles apply to layers, not to an open path in the Paths panel.

As suggested, check the document mode and bit depth: go to Image > Mode and ensure the file is in RGB Color (and 8 Bits/Channel for widest feature support). Some modes (Indexed, Bitmap) and certain bit-depths restrict layer effects and other features; switching to RGB/8‑bit restores them.

Other quick checks: make sure the Layers panel is active (Window > Layers), the correct layer is selected (not a mask or adjustment layer), and the layer is not a locked Background (double-click Background to unlock it). If everything looks correct but Layer Style is still greyed out, try rasterizing the layer (Layer > Rasterize > Shape) or converting it to a Smart Object, restart Photoshop, or reset preferences as a last resort.

Adobe references:

  • Layer effects and styles:
  • Shape tools and modes:

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Member Avatar for ruwanaru

i think u should check your document settings when you opening a new document

Color mode RGB or CMYK

Member Avatar for HI2Japan

When drawing shapes in photoshop, make sure that you do not have one of the options for the tool set to path only. Path will not physically draw a shape on the layer causing this. You need to have the options of either fill pixel or shape layers selected in order to be able to select Layer --> Layer styel.

The path only button has a little box with the pen tool in the center. The other tho have boxes. Leave your cursor over these options for a few seconds in order to see what they are called. They will appear on the toolbar at the top of the screen after you select your tool from the toolbox.

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