Using Smart Objects in large scale documents.

I'm creating a large scale banner (12' by 8') which includes a photographic background image with vector based logo elements and typography on top of it. I am creating the document in photoshop, and wanted to know if using Smart Objects is the best solution for placing the logo elements and typography, but I don't know how they will be affected when the image is scaled for printing.

In that case a Vector Smart Object (File > Place or pasting the Illustrator content) should work fairly well.
One thing to keep in mind is that in Illustrator Raster Effects (Drop Shadows, Filters, Color Meshes, …) have a resolution determined under Effect > Document Raster Effect Settings.
If that resolution is low upscaling on Photoshop may reveal noticeable pixels.

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Using Smart objects between documents

I know how to make smart objects within a single document, but Is it possible to use Smart objects between separate psd files?
I would like to create a master background file and have any changes made to this updated throughout all the other psd documents that contain this.
I cant find any info on this...Can it be done?
thanks
Jeff

No a smart object layer contains a copy of the original in the layer. If you then change the orignal the copy in the smart object layer is not updated and if you change the copy in the smart object layer the original is not changed. Smart Object are independant from the original. It is posible to have multipal smart object layers that contain the same smart object in a single document. You can change the single smart object from any of the layers that its in. You can also have independant smart object layers of the same image. That the difference between dupeing a smart object layer and using menu layers>smart objects>new smart object via copy.

Photoshop CS6: Pros and Cons of Using Smart Objects

I haven't had Photoshop CS6 for that long, and have only just got past feeling uncomfortable with using Curves, now I've learnt how to use them properly.
My concern is - I am currently learning about Smart Objects. The concept, at first, seemed like 'the best thing since sliced bread', being able to non-destructively use filters, Shadows/Highlights command, Unsharp Mask, endlessly scale using Free-Transform etc etc, without harming pixels at all.
However, the more articles I read about their use in Photoshop, the more I am afraid to start using them in my workflow.
I understand that when you convert to a Smart Object, this process is non-destructive, i.e. I can perform as many readjustments to a filter, for example, and Photoshop will always work from the embedded container file (which has had no filter adjustment made to it) to adjust the filter to your most recently adjusted settings. If you later decide you don't want to use a filter at all, and rasterize the Smart Object back into a regular layer again, is this process non-destructive as well?
Then there is this article, which I struggle to understand properly:
http://bjango.com/articles/smartobjects/
Please see the part 'Smart Objects Created in Photoshop'. It seems to say I can't scale with a Smart Object without causing interpolation and blurry edges. Please can somebody clarify what the writer of this article is trying to get across, because it is well documented that Smart Objects can be endlessly rescaled non-destructively.
Please understand I use Photoshop primarily for editing photographs.

There is much modern focus on "non-destructive" editing, but keep in mind if you don't overwrite or destroy the original file there is no destruction at the highest level. Put in layman's terms, you could always start over with the raw file.
That thought segways into my next one: Non-destructive editing makes sense if you need to use the same information for a variety of somewhat related purposes, or if the work product may need to change (e.g., to suit the whims of a fickle client).
But at another extreme, if you're editing for a particular purpose - say creating the best possible print from an exposure - sprinting right for the finish line by changing pixel values directly and being done with it can be an extremely effective approach. This requires that you get things right the first time, and that takes practice.
Some folks do their Photoshop work by building up layer after layer and using smart objects, smart filters, etc., and this can be effective but no computer has yet been built that can composite all that stuff in real time with a big image. So there IS a cost to doing it. What you might gain by being able to re-do things, you might not have needed to gain if your control responses were instantaneous and you could tweak the intermediate result at every step very easily. Note the number of posts about how slow Photoshop CS6 is/was at editing deep documents, some by people using 2012 computers.
As with most things, it's horses for courses. It's good that Photoshop gives us rich tools and choices for how to work.
Regarding your specific question, bear in mind that what's communicated to the parent document from each of its embedded Smart Objects is a flat, rasterized image. Think of the embedded smart object kind of like going off and opening another document, making the changes you want, saving the document, then flattening it and pasting the pixels into your parent document.
In the very first example in the linked article, they show how the smart-object-rasterized image of a vector circle, subsequently scaled by resampling the parent document in which the Smart Object is used, becomes fuzzy as it is scaled up. Once you understand this you realize that of course you could scale up the smart object itself, e.g., to a size equal to or larger than what's ultimately needed by the parent document, and then it could be crisp in the parent document where it's used.
Of course, having all your smart objects at a size larger than you need takes up even more resources.
-Noel

Why use smart objects

Been away from photoshop since early days of CS6. At that time I did not use smart objects. Now I see many tutorials using smart objects and smart filters. Is the use of smart objects in the mainstream now? Reasons for and against using them.

Smart Objects are a very good thing!
Photoshop Help | Work with Smart Objects
"Smart Object are layers that contain image data from raster or vector images, such as Photoshop or Illustrator files. Smart Objects preserve an image’s source content with all its original characteristics, enabling you to perform nondestructive editing to the layer."
I can't think of reasons NOT to use them.
Nancy O.

Using Smart Objects with Aperture

I want to start using smart objects in Photoshop, but I really like Aperture as my main platform. If I use Photoshop as an external editor in Aperture, can I then use my plug-ins inside of Photoshop, returning flattened images to Aperture? Or will I have to convert to Photoshop as my main platform?

To the best of my knowledge , Aperture saves the PSD file created when you open an Image with PS as an external editor with layers — and, because PS Smart Object are contained in layers — and Smart Objects intact as a new Original. (Here in the Apple Aperture support forum we have followed Ernie's helpful distinction and call these "Quasi-Originals".) Don't rely on my word, though — this is easy to test for yourself.
Note, though, that flattening a file that is open in PS _always_ eliminates all layers, including layers that contain Smart Objects.
In my workflow, I _always_ flatten PS files prior to closing the file in PS. That workflow works for me (I don't value being able to undo/redo changes I make in PS). I do this with a macro (using Keyboard Maestro).
Decide what works for you. Afaik, the choice of whether to save layers (and Smart Objects) is independent of your use of Aperture to catalog and adjust your Images.

Huge file size while using smart objects?

I'm laying out some big panels containing smaller images, so I am adding these using 'File>Place'. However, while the empty panel takes up about 70 MB, placing 3MB worth of smaller images makes the file size explode to a whopping 150MB, making it impossible to fill up the entire board. So far, I've seen file sizes of 500 MB, with Photoshop eating up 50GB swap files. Any idea what is going on here?
(I'm using Photoshop CS4 on OS X 10.7.3)

If you are familiar with Indesign and Illustrators and how they handle placed images that can lead to expectations that are not met by Photoshop’s Smart Objects.
But the Smart Object-approach in Photoshop offers other advantages – there is no need to collect the linked images when handing on a file, because they are part of the document.
You may want to check out:
http://feedback.photoshop.com/photoshop_family/topics/please_consider_a_references_tool_to _create_links_to_layers_or_folder_groups

Invoking script using smart object layer - fails in Windows

I have recently encountered in what seems to be a bug in Configurator in Windows. The same example works on a Mac.
The scenario is the following: a document with a smart object layer on top.
A configurator button executes the script app.activeDocument.activeLayer.resize(133.33333, 133.33333, AnchorPosition.MIDDLECENTER);
This causes an error message as below:
If I instead invoke the script manually, using File > Scripts > Browse... it works fine.
The button works fine if the smart object is rasterized.
I'm running Configurator 2 (052610), CS5 and Windows XP. Any help is greatly appreciated!

In sure if this is all you need to correct the error but the function below will return the active smart object contents type.
// returns either "vectorData" ( AI ) or "rasterizeContent" ( PS or ACR ) if smart cbject layer
// or undefined if not smart object layer
function getSmartObjectType(){
    var ref = new ActionReference();
    ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID('Lyr '), charIDToTypeID('Ordn'), charIDToTypeID('Trgt') );
    var desc = executeActionGet(ref);
    if(desc.hasKey(stringIDToTypeID('smartObject'))){// is smart object?
        var desc = executeActionGet(ref).getObjectValue(stringIDToTypeID('smartObject')).getEnumerationValue(stringIDToTypeID('placed'));
        return typeIDToStringID(desc);

Creating Independent Smart Objects in the Same Document???

I'm not even sure how to ask this question really, so here goes. I downloaded a .psd file that is a catalog mockup. The document contains a smart object that looks like a catalog lying on a table top and I want to take my catalog art and place it in this smart object so that it looks like I've taken a nice photograph of my design work. That is the easy part!
What I want to do now is duplicate that smart object, put it underneath the original so it is peeking out and tilt it a bit. Then I want to put the back side of the catalog art on it so that it now looks like I've got both the front and back showing. Only problem I keep running into is that now when I click on the 2nd, duplicated smart object and put the different art (back of catalog) on it, it updates the original, first smart object that I want to show the front of the catalog. Frustrating!!!!
Basically I want the two smart objects to not link and update each other when they are in the same document. Is this possible? I can't find anything online so far and am running out of time. I even tried calling Adobe and that WAS A MESS.
Thanks!

Yay! Ok, so I had tried that before and it didn't work, but this time I dissected the layers a bit more and saw that whoever created the .psd file I downloaded had put masks on the catalog images so that is why the bottom catalog smart object that I duplicated wouldn't show anything on it except for where the top one overlapped it. It was driving me nuts. I trashed the layer masks and it worked fine
Thanks!!

Use Smart Objects to rotate single TIFF to avoid quality loss?

I am archiving numerous historic photographs by scanning the originals as high-resolution TIFF files. I need to rotate the scanned images slightly in Photoshop for presentation/archiving purposes but I am worried about losing some image quality.
To maintain lossless images, is it necessary to open my TIFF images as "Smart Objects" before rotating them? If so, this increases my file size many-fold on saving. Is there a way to maintain the approximate size of my original TIFF file?
I am working in Photoshop CS4, Windows 7 64-bit. Thanks for your time,
Ilford3200

Any angular transform that isn't in 90 degree steps will cause resampling no matter what method you use. You are looking for something that doesn't exist. A pixel-based SO will resample the same as a native transform. there would only be a difference with vector data due to how vector rasterization works, but that's irrelevant for what you describe.
Mylenium

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
1. Draw out the perspective crop and move the corner handles to line up with the inside corners of the logo
(blue circles)
2. Then drag out the side handles just outside the image
3. Press the checkmark button to complete the crop
You said vector smart object.
Is that logo something you created in illustrator?

Has anyone ever used web start in large scale ?

Dear friends,
have you ever used some web start application in large scale ?
i.e., have you distributed some real application with web-start?
I�m doing such experience here and I�m a bit afraid about several problems in the final user machine - such as java version, browser incompatibility and mainly with the ugly WebStart cache problems.

can you give a bit more detail on what exactly you're afraid of? is this a www application? internal business app? etc.
for example you can force your java version in java web-start,etc...

How do I open as smart object whilst retaining the images original scale? (for architectural drawings)

A simple question I know but I cannot seem to import the vector file at its original scale into photoshop. I am aware that you can transform the smart object once imported to photoshop but im sure there is an easier way for the accuracy required with architectural drawing scales.
Any help would be much appreciated to save me a little time.
Thanks

Thanks for your responses.
Despite setting the canvas size and dpi in vector works, open as smart object function opens the vector file on a separate sheet in photoshop and therefore defaults to an incorrect size for some reason. The solution was in fact far more simple, drag and drop directly on to the preset photoshop file rather than using the open as function. This made me feel rather silly, but at least the problem is resolved!
Another problem I have come across though is the issue of line weights. When printing directly from Vectorworks the lines are far crisper than the photoshop version despite using smart objects which is supposed to retain the vector lines? Would you know of any reason for this?
Thanks again for your help.
Amy

Using lightroom smart objects in photoshopcc

To save space on my laptop, I use smart objects(photos stored in port drive), I can edit from lightroom into PSCC only if I connect my portable drive. I have scoured through many articles without success. Is there a trick to this ? Lightroom synchs well with my photos on my portable drive, I would think PSCC can do the same without having to be connected. Does anyone know about this ? Thank you !

Photoshop does not need to as it is not connected to any drive or folder. It relies on your operating system, that can easily access your external drives, once they are connected. You could try setting your external drive's image folder as a favorite. (Both windows and Mac support favorites in explorer and finder) Then it would be easy to access the next time it is connected.

Vector Smart Object inside another smart object losing quality after scale

Hi,
I have 6 icons created on Illustrator and imported as vector smart objects.
Then, I select all 6 and create another Smart Object from then.
If I scale this smart object now, it will loose it´s quality, as if the icons were raster in the first place.
This was not what happend in in PS CS5.
It´s a bug or new "feature"?
Rodrigo C.

You need to realize that Photoshop renders pixels for the embedded object then when you scale the smart object layer it scale like and raster layer through interpolation not scaled with vector graphics. Its the way smart object layers work. Hers is a very old thread on the subject
smart objects pixelized | Adobe Community

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

Using Smart Objects in large scale documents.

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