ADD LAYERS AS SMART OBJECTS for flexible changes

A Smart Object layer is a special type of layer used for nondestructive editing. This type of layer gives you creative flexibility because the original pixel data of the image, or vector data in some cases, is preserved. You can edit a Smart Object layer and then change the adjustment you applied without altering the image quality.

 For example, when you transform or scale a regular image layer to reduce the size, some pixels are removed. If you then transform the layer back again, you lose image quality because your previous changes permanently altered the actual pixels. However, if you open the same photograph as a Smart Object layer, or convert the layer to a Smart Object layer, you can scale the layer without any image data loss.

 You can open a document as a Smart Object, convert one or more layers in Photoshop to Smart Object layers, or move a Smart Object layer into another document, maintaining its quality as a Smart Object. You can also place an Illustrator or other vector file into a document as a Smart Object and maintain the vector’s sharp edges or forms even when resizing. 

Open an Image as a Smart Object 

1 Click File. 

2 Click Open As Smart Object.

 The Open dialog box appears. 

3 Navigate to and click a file to open. 

4 Click Open. The file opens as a Smart Object. 

Convert an Open Image Layer to a Smart Object Layer 

1 With an image already open, click Layer. 

2 Click Smart Objects.

 3 Click Convert to Smart Object. 

The layer is changed to a Smart Object layer and appears in the Layers panel with the Smart Object button. The layer is also renamed to Layer 0. 

Note: You can also click the panel menu button ( ) and select Convert to Smart Object. 

 Open an Image as a Smart Object and Copy It to another Document 

1 Open a new blank document.

 2 Open an image as a Smart Object as in the first section of this task.

 3 Click Window Arrange Tile so you can view both images on-screen. 

4 Click and drag the Smart Object layer from the first document to the blank document. 

Note: You can close the Smart Object document after you have moved it. 

The Smart Object layer appears in the other document.

 5 Click Edit Free Transform. A Handles and a bounding box appear on the Smart Object layer. 

6 Shift+click and drag an anchor point to reduce the photo size. 

7 Click the Commit button to apply the transformation. The image on the layer is scaled down, but can be resized back up to its original size without any data loss.

TIPS

 More Options! 

You can edit the contents of any Smart Object layer. Click Layer Smart Objects Edit Contents. Click OK in the warning dialog box that appears. Edit the original file and press Ô+S (Ctrl+S). The Smart Object image is updated.

 Try This! 

You can create duplicates of a Smart Object layer in a document and link them. When you replace the contents of one Smart Object layer, all the duplicates are automatically updated at the same time.

 Did You Know? 

You can open a RAW file (such as a DNG, CR2, or NEF file) as a Smart Object by Shift+clicking the Open Image button in Camera Raw. You can then return to Camera Raw even after making edits to the image to make more changes without any data loss.