Photoshop: How to work with smart objects

When working with Adobe Photoshop, Smart objects are your security net: Transform a layer into a Smart object before it is scaled down, distorted, and alienated. Every change is now calculated by Photoshop based on the original quality. They restore the original state of the layer at any time, because the original version remains invisible as a file in the file.


Step 1: Create Smart Object


Smart objects were first introduced with Photoshop CS2 (2005). Our step-by-step instructions
show you how to use them correctly

Step 2: Smart filter


Transform any image plane, including the "background" layer, into Smart objects. To do this, in the Layers panel, right-click the layer names, and then choose Convert to Smart Object or similar. Likewise, the "Filter, Convert to Smart Filter" command is useful, even if you do not want to apply a filter afterwards. The lower level icon shows the Smart object icon in the lower right.


Step 3: Reshape


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Step 4: Connection


Another option from Photoshop CS5: Drag an object from image or file management directly into an open photo montage - it lands there as a smart object.


From Photoshop CS3 (2007), you apply almost all "filter" commands to smart objects. Features such as "Selective sharpener" or "Reduce noise" appear as objects in the Layers panel - change or delete the filter effect over and over again. You can also use "Depths / Lights" and "Variations" in montages.


If you have created a Smart object, start the free Transform with Ctrl + T (on the Mac as always Cmd + T). Distort the object arbitrarily, even the "warping" or "warping" by lattice mesh is possible. If you make a larger version after resizing, saving and closing, the result is always based on the original quality, not on the reduced version.


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If you duplicate a Smart object as usual with Ctrl + J, the original and duplicate are considered "connected". If you retouch one of the two planes, the "connected" layer also changes. For example, you can create reflections. Transforming or filtering effects for the smart objectbars, on the other hand, only affect one level.


Great: You can install RAW files in Photoshop montages and refine the recordings at any time in the RAW dialog. To do this, hold down the Shift key in the RAW dialog box and click on "Open Object" - the RAW image appears as a Smart object layer in Photoshop, double-click on the thumbnail again to return to the RAW dialog

Step 5: Use RAW files


More tips on working with smart objects