Bevel

All effects are applied using the Effect Panel. To launch the effect panel, select

Window > Effects

from the file menu.

The effect pop-up window will appear, as shown on the right.

To select the bevel effect, click on the drop down box by selecting the arrow next to "None." You will see a series of options:

Choose "Bevel and Emboss" -- you will then have the option of choosing an inner bevel or outer bevel. Just like it sounds, an "inner bevel" applies a bevel to the inside of an object; an "outer bevel" to the outside of an object.

Once you choose a bevel option, you will have additional options:

• Bevel Shape -- flat, smooth, sloped, frame 1, frame 2, ring, ruffle
• Bevel Size -- 10 is default
• Bevel Color -- if you select outer bevel, you will be able to choose the bevel color from a color well -- the example shown here is red.
• Contrast -- changes intensity of lighting for the bevel highlight and shadow (default is 75%)
• Softness -- changes the softness/hardness of the bevel's edges (default is 3)
• Lighting -- changes the angle of light on the beveled edge (default is 135 degrees)
• Button Presets -- provide special effects, including Raised, Highlighted, Inset, Inverted (default is raised)

Exercise

1. Create a square with a blue fill
2. Create an outer bevel
3. Choose Ring for shape, 12 for size, red for bevel color, 50% for contrast, 2 for softness, and 145 degrees for lighting
4. Compare your bevel to sample 1 on the right -- does it look similar?
5. Choose inverted as the button preset
6. Compare your bevel to sample 2 on the right -- does it look similar?

TIP: If you want to edit your effect, select your object (using the white arrow on the toolbar, if needed) and then click on the i in the blue dot on the effect menu