Understanding Vector Smart Objects in PSD

I'm trying to learn to use Smart Objects in PS to edit files created in AI. I watched the Adobe TV video as well as a few others. It seems easy as pie. But one thing confuses me. What is the file that gets created called Vector Smart Object.ai? Do I need to do anything with it? Does it et saved anywhere? I don't see it in the folder in which I've stored my psd and ai file. It just seems to go away when I close everything down. BTW- I'm in cs 6 and am using Place command. Many thanks for helping me to understand this.

If I am in CS 6, then are you saying I can currently delete the ai file and still be ok - that that is how CS6 & Embedding works?
Yes. You can easily verify this. Move the used AI file to another location via Explorer/Finder so Photoshop won't find it. Open your PSD file and you will see that Photoshop opens the file just fine because there is no connection any more with the original file.
And if so - what are the benefits of the Linking compared to the current Embedding - now available in CC? - again - many thanks!
Say you use the same logo made in Illustrator on many different projects e.g. a letter head, a poster, a business card, whatever. Now your client says: I like all the different layouts but I think I would prefer green text instead of blue text... No problem at all for you, you change it once in the AI file and it will update automatically in all the linked objects.
Obviously in that case, the AI file can not be deleted or moved or Photoshop (and you) will have a heart attack...

Similar Messages

Is it possible to export Vector Smart Objects as vector SVG files from Photoshop CC 2014?

I have Vector Smart Objects copied from Illustrator and pasted into Photoshop. I would like to export them as vector SVG files (using Generator or Extract Assets). I can add the .svg extension to the layer and actually export an SVG just fine. The problem is any SVG I have exported have all been raster images. It defeats the purpose of having that as an option as far as I'm concerned.
I remember watching and listening to keynotes and other speakers at Adobe MAX 2014 who said it was so powerful and amazing to create SVG files from Photoshop. If we're still exporting raster SVG files from Photoshop...that's not very impressive or exciting--especially since this era of modern web development benefits greatly from using vector SVG files.
I understand that Shape Layers can be exported as vector SVG files but that seems very limiting. I also realize that users can create some impressive vectors in Photoshop, but that is not optimal. Illustrator is a better tool for creating vectors and I normally use Photoshop and Illustrator side-by-side. I know that vector SVG files can be exported from Illustrator but that isn't as user friendly and convenient as utilizing Photoshop > Generator > Reflow.
My idea was to create my assets in Illustrator, paste them into Photoshop as Vector Smart Objects, set up my layout, and then use the Generator/Reflow method or Extract Assets to get a new web design started.
Maybe I misunderstood what the speakers at Adobe MAX had said. Perhaps it's just user error and I'm just missing something simple (it happens).
Photoshop CC 2014 notes the following under Help > System Info:
Adobe Photoshop Version: 2014.2.2 20141204.r.310 2014/12/04:23:59:59 CL 994532 x64
Operating System: Windows 8.1 64-bit
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for your time.

Not quite the same, but have a look at the new Libraries feature that came with 2014.2.2 I just tried it, and dragging a vector object into a library I created in Photoshop, was there in Illustrator. This happens without having to close and reopen Illustrator. Just use the drop down at the top of the Libraries panel (in Illustrator) to find your custom, or job specific library.

Illustrator Application Window Resizes When Opening Smart Object from PSD

Hi All, I've taken a vector graphic created in AI CS4 and pasted it into my PSD CS4 doc as a smart object. When the original AI file was created the application window was set as I preferred it, filling my screen. When I double click the Smart Object in PSD to edit it back in Illy, the window that contains the application has been switched off of the fill screen mode and is quite a bit smaller. I know it's small but now I have to click the maximize icon in the application bar to get Illy to fill the screen again. It wouldn't be so bad once, but the application window resizes itself every time I punch back into the smart object from PSD.
Any ideas on how I can get the AI environment from switching around on its own??
Win 7, CS4, all patches current, Dual 22" montiors
thnx,
jeff

I just want to point out that when you open the smart object of course it is not the same file as the original but an embedded copy of it.
That might also have something to do with this issue and might also be a photoshop issue with the smart object and one reason might be that Photoshop is see the image as resolution and Illustrator sees it as a dimension and the teams might be able to do something about this but might not actually be aware of it unless you file a report even if it is not a bug it would then be a feature request.
They might not be able to do anything about it but then there might be a clever engineer with an idea, so it might be worth the report.

Vector smart object? Big deal.

My primary use for Photoshop is for producing illustrations rather than manipulating photographs. With that in mind, I don't understand the revolutionary nature of "Vector" Smart Objects, since once they land in Photoshop they cease to have any "vector" qualities. They can be resized, distorted, and made more or less transparent, which is fine, but all those things can be done to any raster Photoshop layer. So my feature request is: since Photoshop's Path tool can deal in vector art within Photoshop, why can't that facility be extended to the Smart Objects? I realize that what I am asking amounts to asking for Illustrator to be installed inside Photoshop, but why not? I think there was an app that worked that way-Deneba Canvas? I don't know, maybe only illustrators who work in both Photoshop and Illustrator would care about this, but I do a lot of it-produce an item in Adobe Illustrator for use in a picture, then copy and paste it into a scanned figure opened in Photoshop, then add shadows and tones. It would be helpful to be able to manipulate the vector art as vector art in Photoshop.

ya, you have to open it up in ai like the above post said if you want to edit it. but also one of the advantages to smart objects is that when you resize it, the quality remains unchanged as long as it is equal to or smaller than the original size. for example, if you design a button in illustrator, then you put it on a web page in photoshop and scale it down and hit enter, you can always make it bigger (up to original size) without losing quality. if you did this with a regular raster image you cannot size it up without losing quality.
the reason you cannot edit the vectors in photoshop is that vector and raster are different types of files. it's kindof like trying to edit videos in photoshop. just wont work. it'd be cool if you could though because i am in your shoes too.

Created Vector Smart Object layer from Ad Illust. to PS, can't see it, why?

I am creating a postcard for mail out and I am new to the CS5 group of products. I followed tutorial to drag an Adobe Illustrator file into Photoshop creating a vector smart object layer of my logo and saved it. I closed the file and re-opened it thinking I would see my logo where I placed it but all I can see is the "X" box that allows you to adjust the size of the object. Could anybody tell me the step to get the object to appear in my Photoshop file? When I click on the vector layer it takes me back to AI so I believe they are connected the way they are supposed to be. Thank you in advance for the help. If I am way off could you explain how?

I want to thank you for your responses and help.
I inadvertently figured out what I was doing wrong while talking with a friend. I didn't understand what layers really were and that they stacked on top of each other. When I placed the vector smart object I left it's position under another layer which was blocking it or my logo so that even though the resize box was showing up the logo or vector smart image was under the other layer. Once I clicked and dragged it's layer to the top of the layers the image was visable and the postcard done. Yeah!
Thanks again.

PMS color in a vector smart object

How do I retain a spot color in a vector smart object placed in Photoshop. Once the SO is updated within the PS file, the separations palette does not reflect the change, and the spot color is no longer there.

I thank everyone for their input, I guess I should have provided a little more information:
The file supplied by a client. Is an Illustrator file. Within this AI file is a PSD file. An element in the PSD file is a vector smart object, which needs to have a PMS color applied. I can apply a PMS color to the SO, then save and update the PSD, then update the link in the AI file, but the color converts back to 4C, and the spot color is lost. I cannot come up with a way to maintain the spot color in the SO. I was thinking of just taking the SO out of the PSD altogether, and placing it in the final AI doc, but there are some PS effects applied to it that I cannot reproduce in AI. For added difficulty, the PSD cannot be flattened, because it has some pretty crafty transparancy masking in it. I would love to provide the file itself, but for security reasons, I am unable to do so.

Vector smart object from PS to AI

Hi...
System: Win XP, CS4
Is it possible to copy a vector smart pbject from PS to AI? Note from PS to AI? HAve tried dragging and dropping... it doesn't seem to work.

If I'm understanding your original question, this answer is not correct. I had the same question as your original. "copying a vector smart object from PS to AI?"
This is the problem I was having and I only found one way to solve it. Would love it if someone could give me a quicker workflow. My solution seem tedious.
RECAP:
Problem: Vector object was originally created in photoshop and I want to bring it into AI as vector art.
Answer:
1. Convert the "vector object" in Photoshop to a "Smart Object" by selecting the layer, then go to Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object
2. Double-click on the smart object's icon in the layers palette. This opens the object in a new Photoshop window
3. Choose File > Export > Paths to Illustrator... (Note: With the smart object layer selected, you can switch over to the "Paths" tab and see your object's editable path and name)
Again, I may have misunderstood your original question, but what I've listed here is the only way I've been able to bring a vector object originated in Photoshop over to Illustrator. Pain in the ***.

Edited vector Smart Objects update pixilated in Photoshop

Hello everyone, hope you can help.
I import CS3 Illustrator vector EPSs as smart objects into PSDs which works fine... until I need to edit the smart object. I follow the prompts on screen and double click on the smart object which opens an Illustrator file - edit - and save per prompts. When I return to PSD, smart object looks blurry and pixilated. Only solution I can find is to make the changes again to original Illustrator file and re-import as smart object. I know this isn't the way it's meant to work - probably doing something really silly. Have searched forums and can't find any similar problem which seems to confirm that it's me not the programme.
Any help greatly appreciated.

Hi,
Thanks for getting back. I should have probably mentioned I'm working in CS3.
Re Colour Mode: Both Illustrator EPS and PSD are CMYK.
Re Colour Profile: Not very technically savy about these things. I know that under 'colour settings' the default is for Creative Suite applications to be synchronised for colour management. I double checked and Illustrator and Photoshop are still in sync, and I'm not getting any warning messages when I open the PSD about colour profiles being mismatched or missing etc. After that I'm not really sure what to check next?
Re »Replace Contents« Smart Object: Replacing the contents sorts out the 'blurry' pixilated' issue but leaves me with another problem... because it replaces from the original file - but edits, when done from PS, seem to made to another (imbedded?) file, leaving the original intact. So instead of double clicking on the SO icon in Photoshop to edit a Smart Object, I'll have to open the original vector EPS in Illustrator - edit - save - then replace contents in Photoshop.
Thanks for your help Christoph. I think this one will have to resigned to the 'buggy glitch' file.

Vector Smart Object Text - P'shop

Hi Guys,
I am trying to make a text layer in photoshop and convert to a smart vector object, but it only gives me an option to convert to smart object, as opposed to vector smart object. The bad point about this is that the text becomes rasterised when exported to EPS or PDF (same with vector shapes within a smart object), unlike a regular vector layers which output correctly.
Is there anything im missing out on, or do I have to revert to importing all text from illustrator and set up my smart vectors like that?
Thanks
Bini

From an old thread in Windows Photoshop forum http://forums.adobe.com/message/3498406#3498406
Smart Object Layer resize three side by side three results. Open this link in a new tab http://www.mouseprints.net/old/dpr/3000x2000.jpg
I resized up big time. Started by creating a 300x200 PSD file with three layers two shape layers and a text layer with layer style added. The layer style contained a stroke gradient overlay shadow and more. Fitst shape layer Pink Photoshop Cloud. Second shape layer Blue Photoshop Male shape. Top Layer Text JJMack. Link 138KB PSD file http://www.mouseprints.net/old/dpr/logopsd.psd
here it is saved as Jpeg
I then Photoshop new Document 3000x2000 ten times the size. Did menu File>Place and placed in the losopsd.psd file just hit enter did not to any transform.
Then three times with the placed smart object layer the target I did menu Layers>Smart Objecj>New Smart Object via Copy. I now had three more copies.
I double clicked on the smart object icon on the botom most copy in the layers palette
In Photosop menu Image>Size in the dialog checked Resample and Constrain not Layer Styles Bicubic set width 3000 click OK
Menu File>Save followed by File>Close
I double clicked on the smart object icon on the middle copy in the layers palette
In Photosop menu Image>Size in the dialog checked Resample, Constrain and Layer Styles Bicubic set width 3000 click OK
Menu File>Save followed by File>Close
I clickcked once of the top copy in the layers palett, Then Ctr-T and changed the 100% in the width and height to 1000% and committed the transform
I selected the Left third rectangle 1000 Px by 2000 PX and added a layer Mask
Target middle copy Selected left 2/3 2000Px by 2000 PX and added a layer Mask Saved as PSD and Saved as Jpeg
Link to 15MB PSD http://www.mouseprints.net/old/dpr/3000x2000.psd
Here is the Jpeg Link http://www.mouseprints.net/old/dpr/3000x2000.jpg Scroll the below image sideways to see how different the three are click on the jpg link to have your browser scale it down also note how scalling down seems to sharpen..

PMS colored vector smart object for separation

I'm trying to save a PSD containing vector Smart Object to be separated as a Spot PMS.

Create a new spot channel and color your SO accordingly.
Mylenium

Vector smart object

HI
been sent a psd file whic h contains a background layer plus a layer with a vector mart object on it ( made in illustrator)
I want of use that vector smart object in another psd but the drag toa tabbed documetn option does not work.Neither do I see an option to copy the VSO
is there a way to do it?
I though abut opening the PSD in illustrator and going forward that way is that possible
thanks
Ian

Have you tried untabbing the windows?
Edit:
I though abut opening the PSD in illustrator and going forward that way is that possible
That would hardly seem to make sense, Layer > Smart Object > Export Contens and then placing the resulting file would be an option.

Program error when attempting to edit a vector smart object. Help?

I'm running Photoshop CS6 (13.0.1) 64bit on a MacBook Pro running OS X Lion. About 60% of the time when I try to double click a vector smart object instead of opening it up in Illustrator I get an error that says, "Could not edit original smart object because of program error." This most recent time it was a smart object from vector data I copied and pasted from Illustrator into Photoshop.
Any idea why this is happening and how I can fix it?
Thanks.

Hi there,
I got this problem when I installed Adob master collection Over CS 5.
I had children book story storis which created in Adobe illustrator CS 5 and I created art boards in Adobe photoshop cs 5.
After installting CS 6 i tried to edit the smart objects and it was not opeinging the smart object file in Illustrator.
I did some tests.
1) Right click on smart object layer and click export contents. Save on desktopp or anywhere you want. (I saved on desktop)
2) I had this file on my desktop (Vector Smart Object10.ai) but it didn't show any icon, which program should open this type of file.
3) Double click on the file and it pop up a extension window 'Click on change and select adobe illustrator' and press OK.
4) Go back to your photoshop file and right click on smart object layer and click dit content. now this time it opens up assets in illustrator.
ENJOY!
www.4d-studios.co.uk

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.

PS opens vector smart object all pixilated

I have this problem when using graphics from Illustrator as vector smart objects in Photoshop. I have followed tones of heated discussions on this but I haven't got any further. So here is what I do following the steps on the PS help: I copy graphics in AI and paste them in PS as smart object. A layer will be added that even has the name vector smart object but the graphic itself is all pixilated. Now the size of my PS-file is 150X150 Pixels with a resolution of 300. I need this size because I want to implement the file into my website and the layout requires this size for all my graphics. I would say it doesn't matter much what size the file is anyway since according to the PS help whatever vector smart object I place in Photoshop it won't change image quality when transformed. Therefor I'd say that not even the small file should be a problem here. But obviously there is something not working... because even when, to compare, I paste the graphic as pixel it shows the same result. Strange enough that I have used this vector smart objects before and it worked just fine... So I tried to paste the graphic in different ways, saving it as pdf in AI and then placing it in PS, insert it directly as smart object, making sure the file handling and clipboard references are adjusted, and finally after no success trashing the preferences in both applications. Still not closer to a satisfying result. I attach the graphics (first the AI graphic, then the vector smart object from PS) to show the difference and maybe there is someone out there that can tell what I am doing wrong. By the way I just converted the files to jpegs to post them here so the sizes might not match on the screen...

One other thing to check...
Are you viewing the display at 100%?
Photoshop's OpenGL-based image resizing algorithms are smoother and fuzzier than they used to be (or than they are with OpenGL disabled). What I'm getting at is that you may be perceiving fuzziness in the display that's not really there in the image.
How does the fuzziness look if you zoom in a lot?
-Noel

Keynote 6.0 vector smart object conversion to Photoshop CS6

Hi,
I upgraded to OS 10.9 and Keynote 6.0. In the previous version of Keynote, I was able to easily paste Keynote content (words, shapes, charts) into Photoshop CS6 & Illustrator CS6 as vector objects, of which the elements could be independently manipulated by releasing the clipping mask.
However, with Keynote 6.0, it appears the content mentioned above pastes into CS6 software as .tiff files with no option to convert to a vector smart object? Is there a way to force a vector object placement or does this new Keynote version no allow (and if so why eliminate such a convenient function as vector smart objects)?
Thanks for the help...

Hello thanks for your answers,
i posted this when i was upset because it was a very frustrating situation. I create Vector art in Illustrator and most of the times i just copy and paste them into Photoshop. I dont use Illustrator Cs6 because some Issues with the color Picker and because i Use Scriptographer alot. So i use Photoshop CS6 and Illustrator CS 5.
Somehow recently i noticed this strange behaviour. When i close Illustrator completely and doubleclick the Layer in Photoshop it works fine.

Understanding Vector Smart Objects in PSD

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