Blending Effects + High res. = Nightmare. Smart Objects don't do justice.

When Smart Objects debuted in Photoshop I tried them out and was content to find that there is now something which can scale my styles/blending effects while I resize the object. Previously I'd've had to resize the image first (with the Scale Styles option enabled), and then copying things over to what I was working on. (Simply resizing the contents of the layer itself would not also change the layer Style, which means that it would look different.)
Anyhow; I just discovered that I have been deceived. Smart Objects are merely a raster version of their contents: vector or not. If you enlarge a Smart Object containing vector data, it will look pixelated, yet resampled/semi-smooth pixelation.
So my problem is that I made something (vector-based) on 72dpi, and for example if I want to enlarge the image as well as the resolution to 300dpi, (for print), then the style settings are maxed at their boundaries and the look of the image changes.
If for example I have an Inner Glow blending effect with the Size set to 20px, and I enlarge the image, then Photoshop would scale the Size higher and higher the more I enlarge the image, but if I enlarge it too much, it cannot of course go beyond Size 250px as that is the limit for that effect. (And at that point onwards the look of the image starts to change the more I enlarge it).
I made a 3D-looking sphere/orb using purely 5 or so circle shape layers and blending effects. Nothing else. Everything is vector. I put everything into a Smart Object and tried enlarging that instead, hoping that it would somehow know how to render the layer styles/blending effects no matter how large. So as it turns out, the Smart Object is not even vector. *sigh*.
So what's the solution? Am I using the wrong platform for these kinds of things altogether? Should I be using something else entirely like QuarkXpress and start all over from scratch?
I'm using Photoshop CS3 by the way.... 10.0.1

But I have a concern that if I break it down to 300 images (6 seconds of footage) then stack then flatten the stack until its dont the whole 30 mins then use these flattened ones to create a new stack it would affect results as it will then be working with images like the above.
That should be easy enough to test (if maybe not exactly proof) – for Range it seems to make no difference, for Variance it seems to do.
Also why use 16 bit image mode?
To reduce the accumulated effect of the necessary rounding of pixel values.

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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.

Is it possible to make a layer selection include its blending effects?

For creating masks I'll often select all visible pixels in a layer (cmd+click the layer) but if the layer has any blending effects, e.g. a stroke or drop shadow, then this won't be included in the selection. Is it possible to include these in the selection?

A non-destructive method would be converting the layer(s) with blending effects, layer effects, etc. to a smart object. Then <CMD>-Click to select the entire thing.
The contents remains editable.
edit: it would be nice though, if we could do the same thing with a layer group. Group all your layers in a layer group, and when you <CMD>-click on that group, it selects the combined content. That's how it works in Photoline - very handy. I just tried in PH CS6, and it doesn't work that way. Perhaps in CC, or a future version?

Smart Objects mis-behaving in Photoshop 5.1?

Hi there
I'm using Pshop 5.1 on Win 7 64bit
Cince Adobe introduced Smart Objects in CS2 (I think it was CS2 - I jumped from 7) they've becom I standard part of my workflow that I use all the time
However, having upgraded from CS4 to the latest, smart objects don't seem to be working correctly - the problem is when saving them in order to return to my original image (with the smart objects contenst updated) I am asked to 'save as' - and the Temp folder is displayed - in other words, Photoshop is forcing me to save my smart object as a separate file which I'd then have to re-import into my original image, which would completely defeat the poin of using them in the first place
It doesn't always do this..
But I don't think it ever did it in CS4...
Is there a Photoshop expert out there who can tell me why this is hapenning?
Is it a bug?
A functionality change?
Can it be fixed? It is a royal pain. For example in my current image, I drag and drop an image in from a WIndows Explorer window, and Photoshop makes it a smart object - I click OK. I then open the smart object, use the Quick Selection tool to remove white edges that I don't want, double clcik the layer to turn it from 'Background' to 'Layer 0', and apply a layer mask to remove the white background I've selected. I then save, and instead I'ma sked to Save As, as I've described
I'd appreciate your comment
Thanks
jON

Is the original a jpeg? In that case transparency or layers are not supported, which is why you get Save As.
If you flatten it, it should behave normally. Or better, save the original to a different format first.

Fx Changing Smart objects on other layers

I have a simple set of shapes created in illustrator (created on separate layers) that I have pasted into PS as a smart object I have duplicated the Smart Object layer and then broken up each element by going back in to ILL to delete the other shapes so now each shape is on a sep PS layer. My problem is when I apply any effect to a single smart object layer it applies the Fx across all the shapes on all the layers in PS which I want to control separately.
Thanks for any help.
Mike

I think I answered my own question. I didn't realize you can change a smart object into a smart object giving itself it's own autonomy

How to copy objects from Pages (5.5.1) and paste it into Photoshop as a vector smart object with high resolution?

I recently have bought a new Macbook Pro (Version 10.10.1) with the OS X Yosemite. The computer comes with the new Pages (version 5.5.1).
Here is the problem: I like to create artwork using the shapes on Pages. Previously, on my old mac, I used Pages 4.3 to create objects, which I would copy then paste to Photoshop and it would become a vector smart object. However, in the new Pages (version 5.5.1), when I copy objects, they would appear on Photoshop as instead, a layer and it would not be in full resolution.
Also, I know there is nothing wrong with the Pages file itself because I have converted the document to PDF form and it is high resolution when inserted into Photoshop that way.
Does anyone know how I can copy individual objects from Pages (5.5.1) and paste it into Photoshop as a vector smart object with high resolution as I have done before?
Thanks!

ghotiz wrote:
copy the image and have it in a high-quality PNG format that does not include the background from the Pages document.
Oh, well if you don't actually need vector objects then it looks like this is possible. As I said earlier, Pages is putting a PNG on the clipboard. I tested it and it does paste into Photoshop as a transparent layer, because I can see the transparent background of the pasted PNG graphic if I either turn off all layers behind it in Photoshop, or if I start a new Photoshop document to paste into but make sure I choose Transparent for the Background Contents in the New Document dialog.

Bug or feature: opacity and blend-if values wiped out when convert layer to smart object

I had some unexpected results in an action I put together. As I was stepping through it, I found that conversion of a layer to a smart object reset the opacity to 100% and removed any blend-if adjustments, though the blending mode was retained. This is certainly an unexpected effect--is it a bug?

Smart objects are always created at 100% and will wipe any other blending, the blending still exists WITHIN the Object, itself. This is the most logical and sensible way for it to work - you will realise this if you think it through. Blend modes on the other hand are sometimes copied from the source layer or Group, this is possible and its a kind of shortcut.
To get the original blending into the Smart Object layer - Open the Smart Object, right click on the layer with the correct bending Choose "copy layer style". Now Back in your master document you can "paste layer style" into the Smart Object layer.

Perspective effect with Smart Objects (SO)

Hi,
i would like to create a perspective efect on smart objects.everything i read so far was that perspective effect doesn't work (distort) on SO.
everybody place the SO almost as they want but to create the perspective effect, they rasterize layer and finish perspective effect using the Free Transform tool.
1. so is it really the only one way to do it ?
I mean i have a lot of business cards design and i have a master design for their presentation... in this presentation i can change just 1 SO (the master one) and all other SO (representing business cards) are automatically updated...
so it is really great for creating a new presentation of product. owever, if i must rasterize SO i loose this feature/possibility.
2. So what is the best solution ?
thx.

Hi Conroy,
at work we have CS6. I tried all kind of File > Preferences > General > Image interpolation, but nevetherless still the same issue. The bicubic is the best one for card border/edge but they are still to "stairs steps" and not clean line for borders.
Here is my work.
A) The top card is former verctor SO, rasterized and once again convert to SO (for later applying effects/filters)
B) The bottom card is a standard Vector SO with content from a vector tool.
there are 2 main issues.
1. the perspective for the card B (vector) is not as perfect as for card A, as if you move individually a corner, other corners move also
how to solve it in order to not have a destructive one ? i mean if i have on 1 artwork 3 visible business cards, i don't want to replace content 3 times + filters, etc.. i would like to maximum replace 3 contents and that's all... imagine if i have 100 business cards ready for that...i will spend months to recreate each perspective and effects.
2. the 2nd issue is with card edges/borders...they are not anti-aliased at all..maybe the top one (card A) is more than the vector SO as it has been rasterized...but nevertheless it is far from what i see on internet for same work.
so what did i miss ? where is my mistake ?
thx.

Blend Mode doesn't hold in Smart Object

Here's the scenario:
I'm building a web page, lot's of layers and groups. I want to clean things up by converting some groups into smart objects.
Here's the Problem:
Within some of the group folders are layers with a blend mode assigned, like Darken. When I convert the group to a Smart Object the blend mode on those layers doesn't hold.
Screen grabs:
Hopefully these will make it clear in cas I haven't explained it well.
Original with layers
Group converted to Smart Object
Bland mode applied to Smart Object
I figured out why it happens, I want to know if there's a way around it other then don't do it.
TIA,
Mike

Yep, another understandable feature by few who understand, but created by many users - toy feature for web and print. It can either mean money or murder when handed these files from your bone head customer who assumes anything that can be created shall work with the greatest of ease because marketing told you so.
Now that's progress intelligently planned.
sweet~!

Is Motion or After Effects best for animation of High res. photographs

Hi everyone. I’m a novice when it comes to Motion, having worked more with FCP, and I am encountering some confusing differences!
I’m making an animation from a high res. Scanned ‘photograph’ of a flower, and I hope to maintain the great image quality, plus working with a short sound file (breathing) as a guide for the movement. (The final output is going to be large scale projection using a HD projector, which I understand is 1920 x 1080, with smaller versions for pre-view purposes.)
The move to Motion from FCP has phased me (co-decs, pre-sets etc.. so many options) I could re-size it to suit, DV, HD or most of the ‘sizes’ supported by Motion but I’m lost as to which settings would be best for my purposes.
I have done various tests with different pre-sets and have found that the longer and more complex the animation gets, the more jittery the playback is. I am wondering if there is a way I can work with Motion that resolves the the perforamnce thing, or if what I am doing ( length and size of animation) would be more suited to After Effects.
I love Motion, esp. the language used in the manual and would prefer to stay with it.
Thanking you all. I really want to understand this whole ‘video’ to ‘still-image’ move I’m making.

First of all, you could do your video in either program and would likely get similar results (depending on your relative skill in each program). There's certainly no reason not to stay in Motion if you're happy with the interface. After Effects has just as many confusing settings as Motion when it comes to output so you're probably not going to feel any better there.
Considering your output, I would start your project with the Broadcast HD preset. That will give you the 1920x1080 frame size which should look great on your projected screen. I would tend always to work in an HD framework when working with stills since typically they'll be of high quality.
Make sure your stills are prepped properly for video (which is different from how they would be scanned for print work). Scan them in at a good size resolution 2500 px along the longest side at 72 dpi (high dpi is not necessary for video work). Also, use uncompressed pic formats like TGA, TIF, or PSD.
You didn't mention how long the sequence was, and length does make a difference at times because Motion is run primarily through the graphics card as opposed to the processor. This is a primary difference between Motion and AE.
When you are talking about jittery playback, keep in mind that it's the gfx card that is providing the "real-time" playback to begin with. So the larger the project, the less likely that the card is going to be able to play back in real-time. If timing is an issue you can change the view to draft (default is normal), or you can do a RAM preview (CMD+R). AE has NO real-time playback without a RAM preview, so keep that in mind.
One more thing. There are several ways to do the same thing in Motion. Some of them put more pressure on the card than others. Keep your project as simplified as you can while working, and turn off things like thumbnails and previews to speed up performance.
Good luck,
Andy

Smart Object and blend mode issue

I have an object that I moved from another image and needed to resize. The object is an image of a bottle and glass, with both the bottle and glass having reflections from their base. They both also have some layer masks with the reflections. I grouped the glass and bottle and created a smat object before the move to the new file). Anyway everything worked fine, except the reflections are much stonger in the new file (they are sitting over the same colored backgrond as in the original. If I open up the smart object and put a background behind the images and the reflections (background is transparent)everthing looks as they should. The reflections have a blend mode of multiply).
So why does the smart object not render the reflections properly (without lowering the opacity more within the smart object group) they appear almost at 100% in the new file. Any suggestions?
Can't post the files as this happened at work.
Thanks
Jeff

Anything to do with soft proofing? Does the new document have the same colour space as the original?

How to avoid transparent background converting to white in smart object(psb )when image trace High Fidelity as we have the option of ignore white upto 16 colors trace.

i have a psd image file in photoshop cc 2014 that has transparent background layer. I wanted it to convert to vector. The best option i saw was to first convert it to smart object in photoshop via Layer->Smart Objects-> Convert to smart Object. then exported it to a psb. Then i opened the file in illustrator and applied the image trace tool but the transparent background got converted to white but i had the option of ignore white upto 16 colors trace. But in case of High Fidelity Conversion, the ignore white option is not available, what should I do now?

after using high fidelity image trace i hit expand, then i went to layers and hit the drop arrow by my thumbnail, which then shows <Group>,hit that drop arrow and it will show a list of all your paths, the very bottom one was my white background, you can click the eye or delete that path and it disappeared for me. i was using a png file with a transparent background, and nothing else worked for me, it always converted with white background, i never saw this mentioned anywhere, and accidentally discovered it, hope it works!!!

Smart Object Effects Not Shown in 'Play Slide' But Shown in Other 'Play' Modes?

Hi,
In Captivate 7, effects which I add to smart objects using 'Add Effect' in the Effects tab do not show when I 'Play Slide' but do show in any other 'Play' mode e.g. 'Play Project'. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
Richard

F3 Play Slide is only going to show you what you can see in Edit mode. It only moves the frame cursor across the timeline but does not publish the project to an output.
You can see a Live Preview of the effect applied to a given object by opening the Effects tab (Window > Effect), selecting the object on the slide, and then clicking Live Preview button.
But the best way to see how everything works is to either hit Cntrl + ENTER to publish and preview the project, or else hit F10 to publish to browser.
Rod Ward
http://www.infosemantics.com.au/troubleshoot-adobe-captivate

Imported Smart Objects from Photoshop to After Effects

When I import an Illustrator file into After Effects, I have the option to use Continous Rasterize on that layer. However, when I paste that AI file into PS, as a Smart Object, and then import that layer as footage into AE, I do not have the option to turn on Continous Rasterize in AE. It's a Smart Object that links back to the original AI file. Shouldn't I have Continous Rasterize available to me? Do I need to set my project settings differently in PS?

Shouldn't I have Continous Rasterize available to me?
No. A layer is just a layer is just a layer. That's all AE sees from the PSD file - the rasterized layer preview. It doesn't know or care where the file originated. If you must use AI content with CR, then import it natively. Whatever you do in PS with your SO wouldn't come over to AE, anyway, once you clicked the layer switch. Read up on AE's rendering order in the help.
Mylenium

When I use Photoshop CS 6 to edit video, I don't know how to change video speed after I converted the clip to smart object?

When I use Photoshop CS 6 to edit video, I don't know how to change video speed after I converted the clip to smart object? The clip color turns purple and it only allows me to add motion but not change the clip duration and speed anymore.

Thanks for the reply and as a work around method I used the Photoshop to do all the adjustments then export the video to iMovie to finish the final cut. I also have a problem to paint or clone on a blank video layer created in Photoshop. It tells me the time is beyond the target frame time, I don't understand the message. Can you explain to me what did I do wrong? Thanks a lot!
John Wang
801-3618742
[email protected]
http://johnwanggallery.shutterfly.com

Blending Effects + High res. = Nightmare. Smart Objects don't do justice.

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