DNG/Smart Object Workflow Options

Hi, we have been converting all of our RAW files to DNG upon receiving from photographers. So this is the format we will use going forward for all RAW images.
We create web banners from these images in a master Photoshop file that allows us to crop and optimize in one place. The end file will have many layers of banners that we will export for each page header.
But we decided to embed the RAW files as Smart Objects so that we could make any further tweaks in ACR as we went along.
- Am I correct in assuming that ONLY the initial ACR adjustments made before opening the DNG in PS as a Smart Object will be stored in the actual DNG file? Any further refinements made from PS by double-clicking to open in ACR won't be stored in the original DNG file?
- If this is the case, are there any scripts, automations or workflow suggestions that would allow us to keep our original DNG files up-to-date with all adjustments made, including those done after being made a Smart Object in PS (we use PS CS6 currently)?
It is really convenient to have all the images in the one PS document as Smart Objects that can be re-adjusted as needed. But I would also like to be able to batch save the DNG's for a different purpose (e.g, master files for printing) without having to go back and redo all the adjustments.
Ideas??

Ahh, thanks. So Photoshop now works like InDesign using linked layers? And that works with updating DNG settings as with native Illustrator/PS documents?
That's a nice upgrade. Moving the whole office to CC is a fairly major undertaking (once we're in, I imagine we're stuck paying each month).
- Any options for working in CS6 (e.g,. ways to export settings or DNG's from layers)?!?
Thanks again!

Similar Messages

LR2:DNG - PSCS3:'Smart Object' workflow question

Hello, I've just started working with DNG files exported as Smart Object from LR2 to PSCS3 and I would appreciate some feedback on my experiences thus far.
Let us assume that I've made basic corrections to _DSC1190.dng within LR2. I then want to apply a filter to a particular region of the DNG file with all of my LR2 adjustments applied.
1. Here are the steps I currently follow:
1.1. Right-click on the DNG file and select 'Edit In'->'Open as Smart Object in Photoshop...'. This results (I believe) in the DNG file with all of my LR2 changes being embedded within a smart object and the resulting temporary file being opened within PSCS3.
1.2. I perform my edits in PSCS3 and save the file as a PSD (i.e. _DSC1190.psd). As long as I was smart about things, I can now go back at any time and alter any of the changes I made in PSCS3, as well as access the DNG file within the smart object to make and ACR changes I desire.
1.3. If I want the new PSD file to be added to my LR2 catalog, I then need to navigate to where it was saved and manually add it.
1.4. If I want to make any exposure adjustments, or really, any adjustments that I'd normally make within LR2 or ACR to _DSC1190.psd, I need to open the file within PSCS3, double click on the smart object to get the ACR dialog, make my changes, and voila!, the PSD composite now reflects those changes.
1.5. If I make any changes within LR2 to the original DNG file (i.e. _DSC1190.dng), those changes are *not* reflected within the PSD file.
1.6. Questions
1.6.1. Is what I've described the expected behavior?
1.6.2. Although it might seem silly to some, and may present a technical challenge not worth the trouble, it seems it would be beneficial to have the smart object exported from within LR2 to PSCS3, contain a link to the original DNG file, and not now have two separate DNG files, one visible to the file system, and the other embedded within the smart object saved as presumably a PSD. I'm sure there are a lot of corner cases to consider, but it just seems very strange to now have two files wherein if you want to change something you would normally do through LR2 or ACR, you now have to do it in two different programs to two different files. Is this a problem Adobe has considered, i.e. any discussion about supporting this perhaps in an update to LR2 along with PSCS3/4?
Thanks much for any help/insight,
Matt

I haven't tried doing what you are in CS but do you have the embed xmp into file enabled or are you updating the xmp by saving it out of LR CTRL-s? Do you have ACR set to read the xmp data? I don't have access to LR at the moment but will have a play l8r and get back to you if no one else does.

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.
Everything will be much faster. But all my changes (Blend modes, Opacity, Smart filters) are on the Proxy images.
Now I want to generate my 10K version, could I swop out those 2k images in a folder for the High res?
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.
Would save a ton of HD space, Make everything run quicker up until the final step.
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.

Smart Object Workflow Suggestion/Question

Sorry if this is a noob comment/discussion I have been looking around for more info on this stuff and can't find it.
I really love using smart objects to help me organize my workflow. But I am frustrated at the lack of control I have over how to save my smart object conversions.
There are no settings, that I can find, in preferences where I can tell CS5 this is where I want my smart object conversions automatically saved to. (it currently uses the temp cache folder? I believe thats where it places them.) I would like set the save location in my preference.
It would also be nice to organize the smart object psb files in a folder system similar to the layers in my PSD file. keeping that consistency will allow me to go through my folder system in the same manner I go through my layers.
Sorry if this workflow already exists. I'm having trouble finding any in depth information on saving psb files. hitting export on every smart objects is very tedious.
Here is an example of what I mean
PSD FILE:
FOLDER1
>SubFolder1>
>> image
>> image
>> image
>>>Sub_Subfolder2>
>>>>> image
>>>>> image
>>>>> image
Convert each folder to Smart Object
SmartObject_FOLDER1
>SmartObject_Subfolder1
>>>SmartObject_SubSubfolder2
PSB SAVED LOCATION:
USER SETS LOCATION
C:/whereever/smartfolders/
autosave
files structure:
Directory
SmartObject_FOLDER1.PSB
SUB DIRECTORY
>SmartObject_Subfolder1.PSB
SUB SUB DIRECTORY
>>>SmartObject_SubSubfolder2.PSB
I know I can export each smart object individually but is there a preference function to do this automatically?
Does this exist and I just don't know it?

Check out the PS links panel here:
http://ps-scripts.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=3045

LR/PS Smart Object workflow question

I have a RAW image (let call it image A) that I have sent to Photoshop as a smart object. I applied some smart filters and saved it (call image B). I see two images in LR. Now I've changed my mind and apply a bunch of adjustments to image A. Is there a way to update image B (contains smart object of A) so that it will reflect the change in A? Thanks in advance.

Not an automatic way. I'm not sure any of the alternatives is ideal, so you may as well create a new smart object file (which you'll delete afterwards), then open both files in PS and shift drag the updated smart object into the other file. You can then drag filters to the updated smart object.

Smart Object - How do I keep ACR from changing workflow options?

Open image in Photoshop as a Smart Object from Lightroom.
Double-click to change the RAW characteristics.
When I return to Photoshop, my image has been changed... Color space is changed, bit depth is changed, size is changed........
I believe I know WHAT is doing it - the Workflow Options in ACR are set. HOW DO I TURN THEM OFF?
I can't find a reset, and I can't get it to stop messing with the image. I've SPECIFICALLY UNCLICKED the "Resize to Fit", but
it STILL takes my 2600x3300 pixel image and returns it as 1824x2321 pixels.......
Where and how do I reset this thing?

I ABSOLUTELY agree...... That's exactly, I believe, how it's SUPPOSED to work.
Except that mine didn't.
I opened a 12.2 MP RAW file.
And made absolutely no changes to the workflow uptions at the time of opening.
But instead of "Image Sizing" saying "Default 12.2 MP", it said "3.6MP"
Resize was turned OFF
Width was 2321 px and height was 1824 px, BOTH GRAYED OUT.
Upon leaving ACR, I had a 2321x1824 file.
Eventually, after wasting another hour screwing around with it, I finally blew away all of Bridge AND the preferences and all that,
and rebooted since the %$#)(*& Adobe CC thing wouldn't figure out there was no more Bridge, and resintalled...........
Now, when I open a file in there, at LEAST it knows it's 12.2MP.
It STILL wants to change the Space to sRGB, which I NEVER use from here, and the Depth to 8-bit, which again, I never use in ACR,
but I can set those back to what they should be...
So, in this case, by using a large enough bludgeon, I appear to have gotten around the problem. Now I'm just waiting to see how soon it screws up again.

DNG in Smart Object RAW workflow?

I'm totally immersed in the Smart Object RAW workflow. I've been on the fence about using DNG as SO layers, but it suddenly dawned on me that, since you're building in raw layers, rather than having access to your original RAW files easily, that DNG becomes essential to ensure an archival process.
That is, if I have separate RAW files I can always, at some point, convert them to DNG. Once they're in the file as a SO, I'm hosed. (Yes, I can extract them, but I lose all my work in the TIFF.)
Is anyone out there slamming to DNG before working with a Smart Object RAW workflow? (Is anyone working in a SO workflow even? Sometimes I feel like the only one... heh)

Been requested since B2 or so. Still a wait.
Don
Don Ricklin, MacBook 1.83Ghz Duo 2 Core, Pentax *ist D
http://donricklin.blogspot.com/

Opening DNG as a Smart Object into Photoshop CS5?

I am using a Windows 7 64 bit platform and CS5 64 bit. I have the most recent Camera Raw plug in for my Nikon D3100 camera. In Bridge you are supposed to be able to open a dng file in Camera Raw, make your corrections and then by holding the Shift key it should change the open file button to open it as a Smart Object. When I do that nothing opens in in Photoshop.
Any suggestions?
P

Jeff Schewe wrote:
pbfp wrote:
Can you tell me how to access the workflow settings?
Pretty simple (and the settings are sticky), open a raw image and in the center where the processing info is shown (lower center link) which acts both as an info readout AND a button to change the Workflow Options settings, click on this link...it'll give you a dlog to change the Workflow Settings.
Alter the settings and click Done (cancel doesn't work since it works as a Cancel).
Thereafter, unless you make changes, the Workflow Options should be sticky.
Thank you Jeff for the information.
Please let me know if you think the worflow settings are wrong: Here is how the workflow is currently set: Space: Adobe RGB 1998; Depth: 16bits/channel; Size 34072 x 4608 (14.2 MP); Resolution: 260 p/in.; Sharpen: None; Amount: none; The bix is checked to open in Photoshop as a Smart Object.
Now here is the thing. If I am in Bridge and double click on a dng file or right click on a selection of files and choose Open in Photoshop, it opens a Camera Raw window for the file/s and then if I click on the open objects button, it does open them in Photoshop as smart objects. The problem is that if I select, from the Bridge pop=up menu to open the selected file/s in Camera Raw, it is then that they do not get sent to Photoshop as smart objects. Nothing happens, they just don't open in Photoshop.
I am also having a very hard time sending dng files from Lightroom into Photoshop. So clearly there is something not "connected" properly. Or maybe it is not clearly, but I am supposing that there might be some general issue. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
P

Photoshop CC 2014 - Stack Mode Disabled - Load Image Into Stack Has No "Convert To Smart Object" Option

Hi,
I have just installed Photoshop CC 2014.1 and I have "Stack Mode" command disabled.
Also, I have no option to convert layers into smart object when I run "Load Image Into Stack" command.
Can you please tell me how to enable these features?
Thank you very much.
Luca

The 512 MB are a minimum requirement, not some optional thing. Without it, 3D will never work.
Mylenium

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!!!

DNG as smart object in PS2???

Am I missing something or there is no way to place a DNG file from LR as smart object in Photoshop? Apparently this can be done in Bridge.
Thanks for any help.

Been requested since B2 or so. Still a wait.
Don
Don Ricklin, MacBook 1.83Ghz Duo 2 Core, Pentax *ist D
http://donricklin.blogspot.com/

Duplicated document with the smart object which has a DNG file inside it

A TIFF file has a DNG file as a smart object inside it ...
If you duplicate this file, the smart object can not be opened any more.
Any idea?
Thanks ...

I've looked at it again for TIFF after reading your post ... it is working now

Using the edit as Smart Object option.

I'm probably way behind the ball here, but I can't understand how the edit as smart object works. Sure I can open the file as a smart object in PS3, I can, say, apply the Distort/Lens filter to do a perspective transformation - but then how do I save and send it back to Lightroom? Using Export Smart Object just seems to send a file back to Lightroom but my transformation has disappeared. Close and save will create a file - so I still end up creating a new Tif everytime I use PS - but now manually synchronise. Where is the benefit?
I know I need a nice Video Tutorial or instruction but can't find one!
Anyone know of one?
Many thanks. Peter

> Yes, add me to the list of being in need of an explanation of how exactly this is supposed to work. I'm hoping that it might be included in the Michael Reichmann and Jeff Schewe video that I purchased recently but as yet haven't downloaded all episodes.
There's a bunch of free videos on the NAPP site. They have an episode on Photoshop integration too. http://www.photoshopuser.com/lightroom2/
It's pretty clear how it should work from that video, except that it doesn't. Another bug, perhaps.
EDIT: Also it has been mentioned many times that one should have the PS CS3 10.0.1 Patch installed in order to get this going.

Smart Object sharpening in CR from PS via LR - not sticking

Ok, here is what I am attempting to do. I have 2 images in lightroom. They are the same subject (landscape) taken with 2 different exposures. Exposure 1 is for the foreground, which was in shadow. The second exposure is for the middle ground and the sky via a virtual copy for the mid ground and the sky separatly. I make tone adjustments in LR then export as a smart object to PS. So I now have 3 smart objects. I make masks for foreground, mid ground, and sky.
Now I want to go back to CR and make some final adjustments and sharpen each masked photo prior to copying all 3 layers to one file.
To begin with when importing the image as a smart layer from LR, CR does not open. The images get exported directly into PS. Now when I double click on the Smart Object icon it does open up into CR. I check to make sure the workflow option includes Open in PS as smart object. At this point I go through and make CR corrections including sharpening. I can see the changes and the sharpening on the screen but when I click OK, to put the image back in PS the changes do not show. I have tried making a snapshot of the corrections prior to clicking OK but the corrections still don't move.
Now I have to tell you that since I am learning the programs I have exported as smart objects from LR prior numerous times. The first time I did it with each image CR did open up and did save the changes. The problem is with the learning curve I have needed to go back and redo the image to get it right. But now I can't get the changes to take.
I am using PS V11.0.1.0, LR V2.6.0.2 and whatever CR is in there. I updated at the beginning of January. All on a fairly robust PC.
Thanks for the help.

Copied the cr2 files and re-did the whole process. This time it worked. Thanks anyways...

Open as Smart Object as Layers in Photoshop?

I apologize if this has been addressed already, but I am looking for a way to open Smart Objects as LAYERS. I do compositing work and would like to retain as much information as possible by using Smart Objects PRIOR to going into Photoshop. My current workflow is to highlight the photos in Lightroom CC > Open as Smart Object in Photoshop CC > Manually Drag layers from each open file in Photoshop to main PSD.
Edit - Opening as Layers in Photoshop then applying the Camera Raw Filter is not a good work around, information is lost.

davepinminn wrote:
I must still be doing something wrong here..............
You have the wrong expectation—namely because you don't grasp the concept. A smart object is not a linked file. It's a new file all on its own (in PSB format) with no connection to the original file at all.
davepinminn wrote:
…I can open my raw (.dng) into Photoshop as a smart object. And in PS, I can open the smart object into ACR. Works fine. And I can change stuff. For example, if I change the exposure from -.25 to +.20, it changes perfectly in PS, as I'd expect. But, I'm still not getting the changes back to the original raw (.dng) file…
There is no reason why the changes made to a Smart Object oject should be refleftef to a totally unrelated file.
davepinminn wrote:
…Do I need to do something different to get the changes back to the original file…
Yes. you have to go back to that original file and apply the changes directly to it. In a previous post, Jeff Schewe told you of a shortcut to achieve that:
Jeff Schewe wrote:
When you are in the Camera Raw SO with ACR open, go to the main flyout menu and select Export settings to XMP. This will write the new image settings from the SO to the xmp metadata. Then in Lightroom, select Read metadata from file in the main Metadata menu. That will bring in all the settings of the raw SO back into Lightroom. So, while not automatic, it's not as bad as writing down the settings and entering them by hand.

DNG/Smart Object Workflow Options

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