Outer Glow
Add a soft glow outside the layer alpha for light spill, neon edges, and subject separation.
Add Outer Glow
Prepare an isolated image, text or shape with transparency. Put this effect after that source; use a self-contained group to keep its input separate from the rest of the composition. Choose Layer → Border → Outer Glow in the effects picker, or search for Outer Glow with Cmd/Ctrl + F. Select the new layer in Layers to open its Effect Panel.
Light the edge
Use an isolated source with transparency. Set Color, then raise Opacity until the glow separates the silhouette from its background.
Shape the falloff
Spread expands the solid portion of the glow; Blur softens its outside edge. Tune these together rather than increasing opacity alone.
Set an individual colour
Click the relevant colour swatch to open its picker. Colors and Palettes explains colour values, transparency and the canvas sampling controls where available.
Compare and finish
Toggle the layer eye to compare with the incoming composition. Use the Effect Panel footer for opacity and blend mode, or add a mask to limit the affected area. In Video or Live, use the function menu on a supported control to add keyframes or a driver.
Control reference
Show individual controls
| Control | What it does | Values and animation |
|---|---|---|
| Blur | Softens the boundary of the generated shadow or outer glow. | 0 to 10 %; 1 to 256 px (typed input: 1 to 1000) Default: 0.8 % Continuous keyframes |
| Color | Colour of the generated shadow, outline or outer glow. | Colour Default: #ffffff Not keyframeable |
| Spread | Expands the glow silhouette before its blur is applied. | 0 to 10 %; 1 to 256 px (typed input: 1 to 1000) Default: 0.4 % Continuous keyframes |
| Opacity | Opacity of the generated layer style before it is composited with the source. | 0 to 1 Default: 0.75 Continuous keyframes |