Don't forget that when using the Bevel Tool, that the default for light angle is 300°. If you want the opposite effect, change it to 120°, which is 180° offset.

Also, for "protruding" bevels--especially using text--it works rather well if you change the contrast to a really high number. Makes it look 3 dimensional--after pulling a bevel on it, of course. Keep the "size" of the bevel small on text graphics.

If you are then going to add a drop shadow (with the tool), consider first cloning the text or graphic and turn it black (or very dark) and move it offset a little. Then group it and add the drop shadow. Don't use drop shadows of any kind on extremely small graphics, as they don't form enough pixels to be seen properly and tend to make it blurry or jagged.