10 fun facts about smart objects in Photoshop

Smart objects are the cornerstone of being able to work losslessly in Adobe Photoshop. Smart Objects are layers that contain image data from raster or vector images (e.g. Photoshop or Illustrator files). With them you have the possibility to make corrections to image montages and composing at any time without changing the original pixel arrangement. All settings and filters remain editable. In the following article I will show you 10 facts that will certainly save you some time while working with Adobe Photoshop.

The benefits of smart objects

· You can scale, rotate, skew, distort, perspective transform, or warp an image or vector layer without losing original image data or reducing image quality, since the transformations do not affect the original data — this is the basis of a non- destructive workflows

· Furthermore, filters can be applied to a smart object, which remain editable later

· Smart Objects allow you to work with vector data from Illustrator or Sketch that would otherwise be rasterized in Photoshop.

· Linked smart objects allow automatic updating of all linked instances after editing.

· Especially useful if you work a lot with thumbnails from Adobe Stock, for example. Experiment with different adjustment layers and filters, using the low-resolution placeholder images and later replacing them with the final version.

1. Creating Smart Objects

There are several ways to create Smart Objects in Adobe Photoshop. On the one hand, starting with Photoshop version CC 14.2, you can include linked smart objects in your work files. On the other hand, the more regular way is to use embedded smart objects in image montages. You can easily create a Smart Object from the Layers panel by right-clicking, or simply drag and drop additional artwork onto your art board in Photoshop. Both of these options create embedded smart objects.

2. The image quality is preserved

One of the most important advantages of a smart object is the preservation of image quality when it is enlarged, reduced, rotated and distorted. You can think of it as a kind of placeholder — only the shell is changed — the original pixels are always preserved. This is similar to working with vector files, except that pixel data still degrades in quality as it is enlarged beyond its original size.

3. Transform settings are retained

Smart objects can be freely transformed at will, i.e. scale, rotate, distort and skew. In contrast to raster layers, however, the applied settings can be edited later without any loss of quality. This function is indispensable for composing or a quick product mockup.

4. Two smart objects — one origin

When you duplicate a smart object the traditional way — by dragging and dropping it onto the “New” icon in the layers palette — both smart objects point to a common source. That means when you do image manipulations, both smart objects will be updated equally.

5. Create new smart object by copy

If you don’t want all smart objects to update at the same time and edit independently, select “Create new smart object by copying”. This way you can separate the new smart object from its original. The only disadvantage of this technique is that it increases the file size.

6. Replace content

Replacing the content of a smart object is very convenient. Double click on the smart object in the layers palette and drag in a new image. Adjusts it to the previous format and reduces everything back to one layer. Save and close — after that the old smart object is updated and all transform settings are preserved.

7. The practical linking of smart objects

Previously it was only possible to embed Smart Objects in Photoshop files. Since the Photoshop update in January 2014, it is possible to create a link to an external file and update multiple Smart Objects at once in this way. It’s the same principle that InDesign and Illustrator have been showing us for years. You can access the import dialog via the File / Place linked smart objects menu . Linked Smart Objects do not increase the file size of your Photoshop document like embedded Smart Objects do.

8. Text layers as smart objects

When you create a Smart Object from a text layer, you have the option to scale, rotate, or distort it without rasterizing the text. You can edit and correct the text later.

9. Working with smart filter

Smart filters are filters applied to a smart object. Smart filters appear in the Layers panel under the Smart Object layer to which they are applied. You can adjust, remove or hide smart filters, so they are not destructive.

With the exception of the Extract, Liquify, Pattern Maker, and Vanishing Point filters, you can apply any Photoshop filter as a smart filter. In addition, most printing companies in Dubai use this technique to print elegant Business Cards all the time. Shadows/Highlights can also be used as a smart filter.

10. Mask smart filter

When you apply a Smart Filter to a Smart Object, Photoshop displays an empty (white) mask thumbnail below the Smart Object on the Smart Filter line in the Layers panel. By default, this mask shows the entire filter effect. Filter masks work almost like layer masks, and you can often use the same techniques with them.