Linked Smart Objects - File Size Question

Hey guys,
first time using linked smart objects and I was pretty excited about it at first. I have a large photoshop file with 1920x1080 image assets. The file size is about 1GB and everytime I make a minor change the entire file has to be re-uploaded to my Dropbox.
So I figured that I could make all these image assets linked smart objects so that I can keep the master file down in file size since most of the actual assets don't change. However, even the PSD that contains nothing by linked smart layer objects is already 400MB large. And that's in addition to the external PSD's it is now linking to.
Even if I duplicate a linked smart layer object in this PSD file it increased the file size by an additional 10MB per duplicate. Is this supposed to happen? Why does it take so much space to just link to external objects? I was super excited about using linked smart layer objects but this doesn't look like it would be helping much to decrease file size.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Philipp

Hey Chris,
thanks again! I guess I just had different expectations. In my mind I was going to see a parent file around 10MB or something with all of the content being dynamically loaded from the linked smart objects.
Maybe that could be a feature requests for future versions.

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Smart Objects - File size issues

Hey All,
The Question: Not sure if this question has been answered elsewhere. But when using a nested smart object (meaning a smart object within a smart object) Photoshop CS5 doesn't display the correct file size (at bottom left) or seem to account for the nested smart object file size. Is there a "setting" I’m missing to accurately display what the true file size is?
The Problem: Using multiple nested smart objects that I have reduced the size of my image to be 260x200 for web export. Photoshop CS5 won't let me save a file that appears to be only 3mbs claiming it's over 2 gig's. See image below.
Really not sure what to do about this, the company I work for makes lots of changes so using smart objects is necessary for my work flow. But also seems to be slowing me down trying to figure out issues like this and is problematic when it comes to saving all the work I have been doing.
Thanks for the help

FentonDesigns wrote:
when using a nested smart object (meaning a smart object within a smart object) Photoshop CS5 doesn't display the correct file size (at bottom left) or seem to account for the nested smart object file size. Is there a "setting" I’m missing to accurately display what the true file size is?
One thing you might have missed is that Photoshop is not a file editor its a document editor. The sizes Photoshop is displaying are related to how much ram it using for the documents data. How efficient ram is being used etc. File sizes vary all over the place sizes depend on the number of pixels in an image format support layers no layers compression?, transparency. There is no way Photoshop could even guess at any file sizes.
An other is all smart object layer are not created the same and their sizes my be far different the you may think.
Smart object layers have a basic format. There is an embedded object, there is a composite pixel rendering for embedded object that is used for the layer pixels and there is a transform associated for the layer rendered pixels.
Anything Photoshop supports can be an embedded object. These objects are copies of the original object. For example a copy of a RAW file where ACR settings are stored in the file copy metadata. An embedded object might be a copy of a PSD file that has thousands of layers. in any case Photoshop renders pixels for the embedded objects composite view and uses these rendered pixels as the smart object layers pixels. These pixels can not be changed within the document.
However the embed object can be opened and worked on and changed. If the change is committed Photoshop will update the embedded object and render the updated object composit view and replace the layers pixels.
Smart Object Layer Pixels can only be acted on in the document not changed with paint etc. For example the Transform associated with the smart object layer sizes and positions the layer rendering over the canvas. The layer actual size may be larger then, smaller then the canvas size and have a different aspect ratio then the canvas. Example if you place in an image that is larger then the document canvas size one of Adobe Photoshop's Preferences is set by default have Place resize large images to fit within current the documents canvas size. The transform associated with that placed layer would cause the rendering of the layers pixels to fit with in the canvas.
Though an embedded object may contain thousands of layers the actual object may be much smaller then you think for PSD files are compressed object may be compressed. Also while the embedded object may contain vector layers when a smart object layer is transformed the layer is transformed using interpolation like a raster layer for all that is being transformed is the pixels Photoshop rendered for the embedded smart object. The only way to work on the embedded smart object layers it to open the smart object and work on the object itself.j

Convert an embedded smart object to a linked smart object

Hey guys,
love the new "linked smart object" functionality. However, I can not figure out how I can convert (or export) an existing embedded smart object to a linked smart object.
I have a huge photoshop file with several embedded smart objects that I would like to break down into a lightweigt photoshop with with links to the varios smart object photoshop files.
Is there any way to do this?
Thanks,
Philipp

Thanks a lot guys.
I am just now putting a document together with linked smart objects and I'm noticing that the file size of the PSD file still increases quite a bit. I thought the hole point of this was to have lightweigh psd files?
I currently have 11 1920x1080 linked smart object files in the PSD and the file size is already at 140MB. Any ideas why this is happening?

Linked Smart Objects

When you send a PS file which has a linked Smart Object to a print vendor, will you need to send the linked Smart Object file as well?

That's what I was afraid of. As a print vendor AND a designer I'm concerned that word has not gotten out that linked objects will need to accompany the file and we will end up dead in the water when we need to open up a photoshop file with a linked smart object. This is a relatively new problem for Photoshop, although InDesign and even many Illustrator users know that links need to be sent. In fact, we're seeing the opposite trend in InDesign, where artists are embedding artwork in their InDesign file rather than linking, which has both pluses and minuses.
Thanks!

Linked Smart Object: Allowed File Type and Editor

Please forgive my lack of knowledge. I'm evaluating PS CC 2014, own PS 5.1 and am a hair shy of being a novice. Presently I'm doing Photomerge Focus Stacking. What I'm hoping is that DNG files can be Linked Smart Objects and that I can modify the merged photo by editing the DNG files in Adobe Camera Raw. Is this possible? The Adobe Help article has a rather cryptic "You can’t perform operations that alter pixel data", that leads me to believe no but, I don't understand that fully.
Thanks.

Currently you can not use any of the merge options: pano, hdr, or focus stacking with a smart object. So you would not be able to do that with dng files and retain the ability to edit them in Camera Raw. It would be nice though!

PS CC 14.2: Linked Smart Objects workflow

I like the idea of the Linked smart objects. Just a question about possible workflow.
I work with large layered docs in the 2+GB range. It can get slow, particularly saving and opening.
Idea 1) I use textures on seperate layers. Just by lining the PLACE My file size will be smaller. I'm guessing saving will be faster.
Idea 2) Would it be possible. To work on a lower resolution "proxy" (example final version are images 10,000 x 10,000). Use all layers as SO, downsampled to 2k x 2k.
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Have PS "update?"
Maybe It would be required to change the image size to the 10K resolution, then update the Linked SO?
I'm just thinking if this could be possible.
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What do you guys think?
Maxi
Linked Smart Objects

I've done a test.
Swopping a high res for the low res image does work, but PS does not respect the scale. So the image comes in very large.But if I reveal all. I can get the full image to appear. And Smart Plug ins like NIK Analog Efex do rerender at the full res.

How do you update the location of linked smart objects?

The new linked smart object feature was a low-key feature but it's fundamentally changing our workflow for the better!
Quick question, is there a way to update the paths to linked smart objects or will Photoshop work it out? I can't see a links panel under WIndow or file so am not sure how you do it sorry.
I'm about to edit these files at home and want to make sure Photoshop can find the links - as well as find everything when I copy it all back to the server and work.
Cheers
ben

Yes, the linked smart object can be either raster or vector, but they will be placed as raster images, just as the embedded SO are. SO can be embedded or linked to an outside file. Edits to the original will not update in the original until you select "Update modified content from the menu" when you reopen the file that has the place SO in it. otherwise it will update when you save the linked file. Yes, there still is an advantage to having an embedded SO. You may not want to maintain the links - send a file off and forget to include the linked files. You may want to alter the SO, but not the original file.
Ah, thanks. But does this mean that raster and vector smart objects can EITHER be located within the Photoshop file (as they have been since their advent) OR linked to an external file?
And if so,
1. Can this linked file be either raster or vector?
2. Do edits to it automatically update the Photoshop file?
3. Is ther any longer any advantage to having the smart object data stored within the Photoshop file when it can be linked?

Open as linked smart object

Hello,
iam looking for a solution to open files in a folder
and copy then into a document.
Its working good, but i need the files to be linked smart object.
Anyone knows a solution ?
Here my Code so far:
See in line 33. Convert to smart object: ?
var file = new File('C:/User_MY PATH.PSD'),
docRef = open(file);
// Use the path to the application and append the samples folder
var samplesFolder = Folder('C:/USERS_MY FOLDER');
//Get all the files in the folder
var fileList = samplesFolder.getFiles()
// open each file
for (var i = 0; i < fileList.length; i++)
// The fileList is folders and files so open only files
if (fileList[i]instanceof File)
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app.activeDocument.selection.copy()
// don’t save anything we did
app.activeDocument.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES)
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var doc = app.activeDocument;
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Use scriptlistener:
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    var idQcsa = charIDToTypeID( "Qcsa" );
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        var desc3 = new ActionDescriptor();
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        var idPxl = charIDToTypeID( "#Pxl" );
        desc3.putUnitDouble( idHrzn, idPxl, 0.000000 );
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executeAction( idPlc, desc2, DialogModes.NO );

How do I disable linked smart-object auto-update/refresh?

Working in the CC3D features, I am constantly making changes to my bump map. Every time I step-backwards, or make a significant change to the bump texture (smart object?), CC auto-saves the layer. This specific file is a very very large document (3 gigs in the bump texture layer alone), and the 3D layer has lots of lights and is very complex. This auto-refresh/update really bogs down the time that it would take me to make my changes. I have a very fast machine (I know it's fast, I dont need to list my specs), and I have all shadows disabled.
How do I disable linked smart-object auto-update/refresh?

If you do not like a feature like smart objects there is nothing forcing you to use it. Use some other features to do what you want. Please don't ask Adobe to introduce bug into smart object support.
You could work on your bump maps textures in external files. When your done some time in the future you could edit your project with the smart object layer and use replace smart object. Only then will all smart filters be applied to the smart layer with the replaced smart object.
Or if by CC Auto save Layer you referring to CC Generate feature you can disable that feature.
I have no idea what your referring to when you write "CC auto-saves the layer" being a feature. I know CC Generate will write layers out as web files but that more a Web feature then a 3d feature. Where do you see your layer being saved?

Linked Smart Object breaks a PSD after sync with Creative Cloud

After using a linked Smart Object inside a PSD and sync with Creative Cloud, the online version of file does not preview and does not work with any online feature, like Extract, Layers, or Anything else.
Any suggestion? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the example Deryck,
The preview seemed broken on the comments tab but the image was appearing for me under the Extract one. When I downloaded the original it looked like the linking was preserved. The online version didn't seem to denote in any way that the Cecinas layer contained a Linked Smart Object, which might be helpful, but it did have the preview. Here are some screenshots of what I was seeing. Thanks for posting about it. I'll pass it on to our engineering department.

Linked Smart Objects from Photoshop CC

Hi
I have a Photoshop file which makes use of the new Linked Smart Objects (introduced in the last major CC update). If I create a Reflow Project out of this .PSD the Linked Smart Objects are not being converted.
Am I doing something wrong or is it simply not implemented yet?
Cheers

If that's the case then keep the main grid container at 100% and then just add two boxes inside it. The outer one also stretch to 100% and have the inner one stop on column on either side and set the max-width on that. You could also just have the inner one strech to 100% with a max-width and have the underneath one show on the side only when it get really wide. I know it feels a little akward to use the grid like that, but we only have one container that the grid is on right now so this is what we can do. Here's an example using yellow for the outer container and red for the inner.
Hope that helps and thanks again for using Reflow!
Chris

Can you extract higher resolutions from Smart Objects or Linked Smart Objects?

When I am designing at 1x resolution, can I extract assets from smart objects or linked smart objects for 2x or more? If so, how do they scale up?

Yes with caveats.
PSD and Illustrator smart objects are also re-rendered and smoothly scaled to the requested resolution.
Other smart objects (including those with filters) are only scaled up from the resolution they are at within the Photoshop file. If you want them to re-render, you can paste them at 100% resolution into a linked smart object and get the smooth scaling.

Linked Smart Objects missing after last CC update?

I had an update come across CC for Photoshop & Dreamweaver yesterday. After applying the update I'm finding that linked smart objects are missing from my File>Place menu. Anyone else having this issue? I had them before & now they are gone. CC shows me as having no updates available. Just checked Photoshop & it's showing I'm back at 14.0.

Sounds like the updater failed and you are running 14.0.0 again.
Uninstall and reinstall.

Cropping smart object files in PS with ACR

I sent a DNG from LR to PS with the "open as smart object in Photoshop" command and after I cropped it in ACR ... the result is in the following image:
It is not cropping canvas ...
So does this mean that we can not use ACR in PS for cropping smart object files?
Any idea?
Thanks ...

I see a display like you show.
For when the it was first opened as a smart object layer it was not cropped. ACR set the new Document canvas size to the image's pixel size for there was no open document and the transform associated the smart object anchor point is the canvas center and the width an height sizes are both 100%.
If I then double click on the smart icon in the layers palette. ACR open the full RAW image. If I then use ACR crop tool and say crop a portion or the upper left section of the image. When I click OK. Photoshop updates the smart object layer object. The rendered pixels are the upper left section. The associated transform is not changed it still has the canvas centered anchor point and a width and height of 100%. So the layers pixel are moved to the center and the width and height are still 100%. The number of pixels in the object is much smaller then canvas size so there are transparent areas on all four sides and the borders on opersid sizes are equal to each other.
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Lost Temporary Vector Smart Object file

My computer just rebooted unexpectedly. I had just sent a file to the printer when the computer shut down and restarted. I was doing extensive edits to a Photoshop smart object, so even though I'd been saving, the saves were in a "temporary" file and the linked PS files had not been updated or saved. So I lost over an hour of work. What a lesson. Perhaps something like Time Machine would have retained those temp files, I don't know. Another first, in my computer art career.
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Specs:
Mac OSX 10.7.5
PS CC
AI CS5

My computer just rebooted unexpectedly. I had just sent a file to the printer when the computer shut down and restarted. I was doing extensive edits to a Photoshop smart object, so even though I'd been saving, the saves were in a "temporary" file and the linked PS files had not been updated or saved. So I lost over an hour of work. What a lesson. Perhaps something like Time Machine would have retained those temp files, I don't know. Another first, in my computer art career.
Does anyone have suggestions on backing up temporary smart objects while editing? I know I could do a save as, but then the link to PS is lost. I could simply replace the smart object with the saved AI file, but that really reduces the convenience of linked smart objects.
Specs:
Mac OSX 10.7.5
PS CC
AI CS5

Linked Smart Objects - File Size Question

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