How to use Smart Objects

Smart objects gives you the power to scale and distort images without the loss of quality associated with repeated transformations. Also the content of a smart object can be replaced with a different artwork at any stage applying all the transformations you have done previously to this new artwork. When you double-click a smart object [...]

Smart objects gives you the power to scale and distort images without the loss of quality associated with repeated transformations. Also the content of a smart object can be replaced with a different artwork at any stage applying all the transformations you have done previously to this new artwork.

When you double-click a smart object it opens in a new window as a .psb file. Now you can edit the different layers in the smart object, add an edit text, new images and layers. When you save it and return to the original .psd document all the transformations you done previously will be applied to this layer.

For understanding exactly how it works we are going to use a Beer Mug and apply an rss icon to it.

Step 1

Create a simple grid in illustrator

Step 2

Copy the grid

Step 3

Open the Beer Mug in Photoshop

Step 4

Paste the object as pixels

Step 5

Convert this layer to smart object: Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object

Step 6

Transform the grid with warp so it fits the curve of the mug: Edit > Transform > Warp

Step 7

Now replace the grid with another image. Double click the grid layer an it will open it in as a .psb file.

Drag and drop the new image, for this example I’m using a RSS icon. Delete the grid layer. Save and close the .psb file

Step 8

Now the RSS icon appears with the transformations made to the grid.

Step 9

Set the blending mode of the Icon to screen at 50%

Step 10

Duplicate the layer and set the blending mode to Multiply at 100%

Now the fun begins, you have two different layers with the same smart object.  Lets play.

Step 11

Double click any of the two layers containing the smart object. It opens the .psb file with the icon. Move it lets say to the left.

Save and close the .psb file

The changes are applied to all the layers that contain the smart objects, the one with screen blending mode and the one with the multiply blending mode. It also adjusts to the warp effect we originally applied.

Step 12

Lets continue playing, double click again any of the two smart objects, now rotate it and move it to the right. Save and close it

Again the transformations remain in both layers and it adjusts to the original warp effect applied to the grid.

The possibilities are endless

Smart object give us the ability to use placeholders in Photoshop, work, apply effects and then change it to the final artwork in a couple of minutes.

CHEERS!

Tags: photoshop tutorial, Smart Objects

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6 Comments to How to use Smart Objects

1. 

   Thanks for sharing this tutorial. I had always wondered how graphic designers warped a flat image around another object such a glass. Seems pretty easy I will have to try this out see how well I do.
element321 on August 23rd, 2010

2. [...] Direct Link [...]
How to use Photoshop Smart Objects : Speckyboy Design Magazine on August 23rd, 2010
3. 

   Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
nursing schools on August 24th, 2010
4. 

   This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!
ultrasound technician on August 25th, 2010
5. 

   This is a great tutorial. I’ve always wandered what the advantages of smart objects were. I will definitely have to try this out as I am not good at using Photoshop at all.
Julius on August 29th, 2010

6. [...] How to use Photoshop Smart Objects [...]
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