How do i adjust layers below a Shadows/Highlights smart object layer

Hi
In Photoshop CC I have created a number of layers for smart tonal adjustments.
I then created a Smart object Shadow/Highlight layer base upon a copy of all layers below.
However my layers below can no longer be altered as the Shadow/Highl;ight layer is a copy of them.
Is there away to allow me to stack the layers so that i can still make adjustments to my layers below after have created a Shadow/Highlight layer.
Seems impossible.

You can stack SOs pretty much for ever. Just right click the SO with the Shadow/Highlight adjustment, and turn it into a Smart Object. Then you can add a layer mask to make parts of the underlying layers visible. But you mainly need to manage your workflow to avoid this situation, or use the SO as a new Background Layer, and carry on working from there. That is how I tend to work.
Incidentally, as you have CC, do consider using Camera RAW as a filter, on a SO layer, in preference to Shadow/Highlight. S/H was always portrayed as Photoshop magic, but in actual fact it produces nasty artefacts and makes an image look unreal and plastic. When the Camera RAW engine was updated with the Process Version 2012 (PV2012) with version 7.#, it took a big step forward, and allowed drastic use of the sliders without the nasty artefacts this would have cause with earlier versions. AFAIK S/H was not updated, and IMO should have a little skull and crossbones next to it in the Image > Adjust menu. Or better still, removed altogether.

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How to Apply adjustment layers to multiple layers that have different blending modes ...

How to Apply adjustment layers to multiple layers that have different blending modes and keep the colours the same as the adjusment done?
I work in Animation painting Backgrounds. My files are sometimes upwards to 200+ layers.
I will use adjustment layers to quickly balance colours and constrast on top of those many many layers.
The only way that I know of how to apply adjustment layers it to every single layer ( by applying I mean I need to get rid of the adjustment layers because we cant use them in production but i need the new colours be applied to all layers underneath ) in a psd is to manually do it By duplicating the adjusment layer 200+ times and then merging each layer to one of those adjustment layers so that that layer can take the adjustment layers effect permanently.
The issue is that Within Those 200 layers I have some layers set to Multiply or OVERLAY.    IT obviously wont apply the adjustment layer properly to those layers because those layer blend mode affect the layers under them. The colour wont be the same anymore in the spots that had the multiply blended mode.
HEres an example of a simple File. to show what i mean.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3408266/ball%20layers.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3408266/ball.psd
I have 2 adjustment layers up top. I need to get rid of them by applying them to each layer! I cannot merge any of the layers. We need all those layers for production.
I can apply the adjustment layers manually and this works GREAT for all Layers set to normal. THey take on the colour change just FINE.
However, The issue is that layer 6 and layer 4 are both set to mutiply and this screws up the colour once i apply the adjustment layers to each layer manually...
How can i apply my adjustment layers to a file like this with some layers being set to multiply while keeping the layers exactly the same configuration and The new colour taking efffect exactly how i looks before i apply the adjustment layers?
Now the simple solution is to merge the multiply layers to the layer that it affects HOWEVER I NEED those multiply layers to be seperate!
I'm assuming what I want to do is impossible? Hope this isnt confusing. As far as i know its impossible to do what I want it to do. but just wanted to ask and see.
I would REALLY REALLY love to talk to a adobe programmer/ technician/pro working at adobe about this. Theres just no way to get in touch with anyone... =(
any thoughts ?

Sure... if you want to put it that way. Either way its not the desirable outcome.
its just frustrating that theres no way to apply adjustment layers to hundreds of layers while keeping them in the same configuration ( blendmodes, layer order , without merging) while keeping the same end result.
works great if all your layers are set to normal though..    But I really need to keep shadow layers seperately and be able to adjust on the fly aswell as apply those adjusment to all my layers.
I suppose that just isnt possible.   I understand the math required for this would be tremendous/ complicated if something like this would ever be implemented. Would be nice if adobe could come up with some solution to this. Its really a huge issue in my work flow and theres no alternatives.    How else can I adjust colours to 100+ layers with a few clicks that lets me play around the the adjustment until im happy with the outcome.    Really wish i could adjust and the quickly apply that adjustment to all my layers regardless of blend mode.   LIke If the Layers with blendmode could somehow take the properties of the adjustment layer and keep adjusting those layers undereathe on top of that blended mode that its doing...

How to merge adjustment layers to several layers and export layers to files

Hi!
I have now exactly the same problem as below with over 1000 images, I have saved them in .psd that has over 100 layers each. On top of those there is curves and levels layer that affects every layer below. I want to save all images to .jpg for videoedit with those curves at least. I don't want to merge same curves 100 times. Is there a solution in phothoshop cs5 or cs6 available? Would save alot of working hours. All I have got by this far is blank white images of adjustment layers and non adjusted jpg-files.
This discussion was opened in 2010 and I quess this is same problem:
How to merge adjustment layers to hundreds of layers?
Jul 28, 2010 10:38 AM
Say I have a photoshop File with 100 layers. And say I created 3 adjustment layers on top of those 100 layers to get the adjustments that i want for those layers. I'm happy with the adjustments but Then I NEED to merge those 3 adjustment layers to ALL those 100 layers. Is there a way to easily permanently apply the adjustments to each of those layers without having to do it manually? I absolutely need to merge the adjustments to the seperate layers because of how the layers are being used in a seperate 3d program.
So far what I've been doing is duplicating the adjustment layers for each layer and merging them to said layers separately.. Anyone have a better way? I wish I could just right click the adjustment layer and Tell it to merge to everylayer it affects or apply to every layer underneath it!
Anyone?
Thanks!
Thanks alot if u solve this!
-Anne

first
doing action on one photo only with any effects or filtters .
second
doing Droplet = File > Automate > Create Droplet.
for more details with pictures here
http://www.absba.org/showthread.php?t=1172143

Smart object layer from PS to AI. how to use??

I successfully work AI vector objects as placed objects into PS by copy pasting or file/place into a smart object layer in PS, I find value in making changes to my vector object dimensions in AI and seeing them updated in PS,
but I don`t know how to do it the other way, meaning a PS jpeg on a layer to AI as smart object, I choose an image on its own layer in PSCS4 and convert to smart object, I (right click) export the contents as jpeg smart object, and then back in AI go file/place the smartobject jpeg, when I make changes to the PSsmartobject in PS like colour shift or dimensions change nothing happens in AI,
I would like to have an image pasted from PS into AI whereby I can change colours and dimensions or add pixels like paint on that smartobject layer in PS and then have it update in AI...

To my knowledge Illustrator does not support smart objects. However it does support image linking. Which means if you update a image in photoshop, Illustrator will know the file has changed.
When placing the file, you will see a checkbox at the bottom of the open dialog box for link, make sure it is checked. When you update the file when Illustrator is running with that file opened, you will get a promt telling you the file has changed and asked you if you want to update the image.
If you choose not to update the image at that time, you can click on the linked file text in the top tool bar and update the image from there.
If the file is not open or Illustrator is not running then the file will update the next time you open the file.
Also you will find a edit original button in the top tool bar to take you back to what ever image editor is assigned to that file format.
To assign a file format to photoshop:
For this example we will use jpeg extention
1) Open windows explorer
2) Menu options tools>folder options>File types tab>scroll to jpeg and click on it
3) Click the advanced tab
4) see what actions are listed odds are only open and printo are listed
5) If Edit is not listed, click on the new button
6) For the action type EDIT
7) For the application used to perform action click the browse button
8) Browse for photoshop.exe
9) The following should now be in the application used to perform action box:
"C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS3\Photoshop.exe" %1
The above file location is assuming you have CS3 and you used the default installation edit original button in Illustrator and the right mouse button menu in windows explorer will take you to photoshop to edit the file.
10) After you click OK you will see the new EDIT action in the list
11) Click OK and then click close to get out of all the dialog boxes
The action can be removed at any time or edited to use another application.

How do i drag and drop onto a smart object layer in Photoshop CS 5.5

I recently bought a 3d mock up Photoshop file as I want to mock up my designs such as business cards and other 3d items. The file notes said With a simple drag and drop on the smart object layer your design will be presented in a realistic and striking way.
Can you tell me how I do what they are telling me to do as I have played around with the file till the cows come home and can't work out how to do it. Do I need to do the old fashioned mock up way by skewing the image to fit or is there an easier way such as the drag and drop...?
Any help will be gratefully received,
Thanks

Hi here is the template PSD and then I want to put my business card design over and it says you can drag and drop as per my previous message ...

How to merge adjustment layers to hundreds of layers?

Say I have a photoshop File with 100 layers. And say I created 3 adjustment layers on top of those 100 layers to get the adjustments that i want for those layers. I'm happy with the adjustments but Then I NEED to merge those 3 adjustment layers to ALL those 100 layers. Is there a way to easily permanently apply the adjustments to each of those layers without having to do it manually? I absolutely need to merge the adjustments to the seperate layers because of how the layers are being used in a seperate 3d program.
So far what I've been doing is duplicating the adjustment layers for each layer and merging them to said layers separately.. Anyone have a better way? I wish I could just right click the adjustment layer and Tell it to merge to everylayer it affects or apply to every layer underneath it!
Anyone?
Thanks!

Record an action starting with your adjustments on top, with all of the adjustment layers selected.
1 - Duplicate the adjustment layers
2 - Select backward layer (alt-[)
3 - Select backward layer with add (alt-shift-[)
4 - Repeat step 3 as many times as needed (for three adjustments this would be twice more)
5 - Merge layers
6 - Select forward layer (alt-])
7 - Select forward layer with add (alt-shift-])
8 - Repeat 7 as needed (for three adjustments it would be once more)
9 - Move to previous layer (ctrl-[)
Then run it 100 times. Or duplicate these steps a few times and run the 5-up action 20 times. To retain the original layer name, you could dupe the image layer, and move the original to the top of the stack (alt-] a few times) about to be merged and reduce its opacity to 0%. The basic idea is to use alt-], alt-shift-] and ctrl-] to navigate around, and record an action that gets you can to square 1, except that your adjustments have been dropped down to the next layer below.
You could also export layers to files, batch them by adding and merging the adjustment layers, and then loading them back into the stack. Or use pixel replacement variables to do much the same thing.

How to keep adjustment layers separate from other layers (PSE8)?

I'd appreciate some guidance on how to keep the adjustment layers for a standard layer from adjusting the background (lowest) layer.
Scenario:
I've created a solid background layer to serve as a backdrop for the image of a small sculpture. Above the background layer is a layer of just the sculpture image. Above the layer of the sculpture image are a number of adjustment layers that are meant to apply to the sculpture layer only. I'd like to know how to keep the upper adjustment layers from adjusting the background (lowest) layer.
Thanks

Highlight each adjustment layer (Ctrl+Click) in the layers pallet
Then press Ctrl +G
The thumbnail icons should move slightly right with a downward arrow indicating clipping to the sculpture layer below.

Apply image to layers below target, or merge to new layer

I'd like an option to apply image from source: "layers below the target layer", instead of the current options of merged or choosing a layer.
or
possibly a more flexible and faster method may be to choose a selection of contiguous layers and add a "merge to new layer" menu choice. This would merge the selected layers and flatten to a new layer above the selected layers.
This would be convenient for interim builds of layers and retaining layered work.
...... yes there are many ways to do this currently, this is a feature request.

Hi Chris
Sorry for the delay a bunch of stuff landed on my desk.
>I don’t want to annoy you, but could you be more specific?
no worries, you're a very helpful person around here. There's nothing really specific, a fun new features areas should be exciting, and there's little benefit to anyone posting ( except for egos ) so I think I'll hang around the other areas that are focused on fixing problems.
regards
j

How do you unlink contents of dup Smart Object layer from it's Orig Layer?

Say you are in camera RAW and you open the image as a Smart Object.
THen duplicate that SO layer.
I want to edit the RAW settings on the duplicate SmartObject layer to be different than the original SO layer.
The problem is that when i do that, BOTH layers are updated with the most recent adjustment in RAW.
I want only one to change and the original to stay the same.
How do you unlink them so they act independent of one another when you edit the contents of the smart Object.
Thanks in advance.
-josh

Yes, theres two cpmpletely different ways to duplicate Smart Objects. Command J or duplicate layer method which merely creates INSTANCES of the same Smart Object. This has a whole variety of different uses, and means that any edits to the smart object will reflect in all its instances.
To duplicate the CONTENTS of the object, there is only one way to do it and Doug has told you how.
Would be nice if command OPTION J did this as an alternative. And that there was some visual distinction in the layers panel between duplicated objects, objects with linked instances, and seperate objects.

How to change default HDR toning with 32 bit smart object - 16 bit, when not merging

Suppose I have just done this:
Opened a RAW file as a 16-bit smart object through camera raw, so I can easily go back and change raw parameters if needed
Converted the document to 32 bit mode
Set 32-bit preview mode to Highlight Compression
Added a Curves layer and fiddled with the sliders until satisfied
So far so good.
Now what I would like to do is envelope/convert these two layers into a smart object, and then change the mode to 16 bit with a Highlight compression method, but WITHOUT merging the smart object. Merging leaves me with one flattened non-smart layer. Obviously I don't want to merge, because all the smartness of the previous (32 bit) smart object, and I cannot go back to the equally smart raw file.
For a demonstration: http://tv.adobe.com/watch/russell-brown-at-photoshop-world-2011-orlando/smart-object-32-bi t-hdr-editing-techniques/
After chosing "merge layers", an impressive dialog box is displayed with 4 toning methods. When NOT merging, nothing is displayed, and Exposure/Gamma seems to be silently used. Fine in some cases, but not now. It seems one cannot change that, or choose another one of the 4 methods. But perhaps someone has figured out a way to "will" it in another direction?
Thanks for your help!

Yes sorry about that, I may have been a bit brief indeed:
I'm using Photoshop CS5, x64, latest patch (12.0.4). And ACR 6.4.1 to open a Raw file as a smart object in Photoshop.
Step 2: correct, I used Image->Mode->32bit
Step 3: I set the 32bit preview mode by clicking View->32-bit Preview Options->Highlight Compession
Setp 4: I'm mistaken here, I added a Levels layer, because Curves are indeed unavailable in 32 bit mode.
While I'm at it:
Step 5: Then, I would select these 2 layers in the layers pane and convert them to a smart object (right click in layers pane -> convert to smart object)
Step 6: Next step would be Image->Mode->16-bit. It would then ask to have the layers merged or not before changing bit depth. Only if you choose merge, the HDR toning dialog box would appear, from which you can select Exposure&Gamma, Highlight Compession, Local Adaptation and so on.
I don't want to merge, because it will destroy the smart object containing the Levels layer and the original raw file (in a smart object)
So I select "Don't merge". It doesn't show the HDR toning dialog, and goes straight in 16-bit mode. But what toning mode did it choose? By comparing the result you get when not merging, to the result when one does merge, it appears a default toning mode of Exposure&gamma is chosen. That's not what I want, because I would like to have Highlight Compression.
But where can I change this behaviour?

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.

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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!!!

How do I convert a compound path into a smart object?

I'm working on a project and I need to use the free distort tool + ctrl (command for mac users) but it won't work. I found out that I need to convert it to a smart object, from another disscussion, but right clicking the name of it in the layers menu isn't working. I'm using CS6 by the way.

fyreflair,
but the discussion talking about the smart object was a photoshop discussion,
Ah. In some cases, such a discussion may help clarify, wherever it comes from.
It is nice to know that you had it sorted.

How to animate adjustment layers from photoshop?

Hi,
I am trying to animate an adjustment layer in Flash with Photoshop. The only way to describe the effect I'm looking for is if you apply an adjustment layer to an image/photoshop file (i.e. Hue/Saturation) and move the slide bar from one side to another. This effect works well with pictures that have multiple colors. I might be able to provide a video of this effect if my description is confusing.
Regards,
Eric

you want to animate a color change?

How do I (or can I) convert an embedded smart object into a linked smart object

If I start with an embedded Smart Object (S.O)., can I easily convert in into a linked type of S.O.? I have not seen this feature available in the tooling yet. Please advise.

Since an embedded smart object is, well, embedded, there's no way to just convert. You'll have to point a link somewhere.
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How to change the angle into front perspective using smart object vectors

Hello, I need this answered so i could succesfully do my school project.
I was using a logo mock up vector(smart object file) for my illustration and was wondering if there is any way to present it in front perspective?
This is just a sample image. I had created a brand new illustration not just a logo but the effect is same.
As you can see the wood engraved logo is presented in an angle. Could i change the position of this sample logo into a front view or i have to make this effect myself from scratch?

On your example i used the Perspective Crop Tool
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How do i adjust layers below a Shadows/Highlights smart object layer

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