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Post by Sepiana on Nov 29, 2016 4:55:16 GMT
Smart Objects seem to understand what they are, what you are trying to do, and will behave accordingly. You will encounter Smart Objects under these circumstances. When you use the File>Place command. The file will be brought into Elements as a Smart Object.
When you apply a new background from the Graphics/Content panel. The background is "smart" enough to automatically go to the bottom of the layer stack and replace the original background.
When you use a frame from the Graphics/Content panel. Double-click on the frame and it will automatically appear in your project.
When you drag a file from the Photo/Project Bin onto another file in the workspace.The advantage of working with a Smart Object is that you can enlarge it without any problem (up to a certain extent). Once a Smart Object is simplified, it is subject to the limitations of any other object. For example, if you try to enlarge it to more than 100%, it will get all pixelated. In other words, your file will suffer loss of quality. On the other hand, if you are planning to apply effects or filters to a Smart Object, or to paint on it, then you will have to simplify it. This message will pop up if you don't. 
NOTE
Adobe has been back and forth when it comes to dragging files from the Photo/Project Bin onto another file in the workspace. In some versions of Elements these files come in as Smart Objects but not in other versions. For example:
Elements 13 and above-- A file dragged from the Photo Bin will come in as a Smart Object.
Elements 8 through 12 -- Not a Smart Object.
Elements 7 -- The file came in as a Smart Object.
UPDATE
Starting with Elements 15, you can disable the automatic creation of Smart Objects when you use the File>Place command or when you drag a file from the Photo Bin onto another file in the workspace.
You do this in Edit>Preferences>General (Adobe Photoshop Elements Editor>Preferences> . . . on a Mac).
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Post by Sydney on Nov 29, 2016 7:32:49 GMT
Great explanation Sepiana  |
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Post by BuckSkin on Nov 29, 2016 16:31:04 GMT
From above >>> "when it comes to dragging files from the Project/Photo bin onto another file in the working space."
I have not yet experimented with that; if I have a multi-layered file in the project bin and drag it onto another file, does that move bring layers and all onto the target image ?
When I want to place a file onto the working file, I don't use the "move" tool, nor do anything special; what I do is load the image that I wish to place on top of my working image, then select Window > Image > Tile.
Since the image I wish to place atop my working image was the last one opened, it will be the active image when shown as tiles, thus it will show in the layer stack; without choosing any special tool, I just grab whichever layer I want from the layer stack and drag it onto the working image; if it is a flattened background it matters not; it will drag right on top and become a layer.
If I have messed with any of this "smart" stuff, I was not aware of it; I will have to check that out.
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Post by Sepiana on Nov 29, 2016 19:08:00 GMT
From above >>> "when it comes to dragging files from the Project/Photo bin onto another file in the working space." I have not yet experimented with that; if I have a multi-layered file in the project bin and drag it onto another file, does that move bring layers and all onto the target image ?
When you drag a multi-layered file from the Project bin onto another file in the working space, the file will come in with all the layers but they will be all "merged" into just one layer. The same will happen if you use the File>Place command.
A Smart Object will display a little icon in the bottom right corner of its thumbnail.
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Post by BuckSkin on Nov 29, 2016 20:01:44 GMT
Thanks for the explanation; I have not yet seen that icon on a layer thumbnail so I haven't accidentally stumbled onto any smart objects yet.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2016 20:16:15 GMT
Sepiana,
Once you have simplified a Smart Object can you make it "smart" again, or is that it, changed forever?
Thanks!
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Post by Major Major on Nov 29, 2016 21:03:29 GMT
It's a permanent change.
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Post by Sepiana on Nov 29, 2016 21:06:58 GMT
Sepiana, Once you have simplified a Smart Object can you make it "smart" again, or is that it, changed forever? Thanks!
Simone,
I have not found a way to revert a simplified Smart Object to its original "smart" status in Elements. The only thing I can think of is to duplicate the Smart Object layer and simplify this duplicate layer. This will preserve the original Smart Object layer.
I believe you have Photoshop CC. What you want is possible in this program. Just right-click on the Smart Object layer you had rasterized and select "Convert to Smart Object". You can also do it from the Filter menu -- Filter>Convert for Smart Filters.
As a side note -- We have asked Adobe to give Elements the Smart Filter feature. It didn't happen in Elements 15. Who knows? Maybe in Elements 16?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2016 21:25:14 GMT
Thank you Sepiana, and thanks for also providing an answer for Photoshop CC, which indeed is these days my editing program.
I guess we can all hope that the Smart Filter feature will eventually make its way into Elements!
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Post by Tpgettys on Sept 30, 2018 4:31:10 GMT
I guess we can all hope that the Smart Filter feature will eventually make its way into Elements!
It is actually there via Elements+. Elements+ gives you access to functionality that is present in Photoshop Elements, but for which there is no way to access thru existing menu items.
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Post by Sepiana on Sept 30, 2018 4:38:27 GMT
I guess we can all hope that the Smart Filter feature will eventually make its way into Elements! It is actually there via Elements+. Elements+ gives you access to functionality that is present in Photoshop Elements, but for which there is no way to access thru existing menu items.
Yes, that's true. But we have asked Adobe to give this feature to Photoshop Elements the way it works in Photoshop, i.e., without the need of an add-on. |
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Berengaria
Established Forum Member
Posts: 398 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Berengaria on Jun 22, 2019 14:36:44 GMT
Is there a way to open a new blank layer as a smart object? I use PSE 14 on a Mac OS 10.14.5.
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 22, 2019 17:15:41 GMT
Berie, you could try this, . . . 1. Save the new blank layer as PSD or TIFF (to preserve background transparency). 2. Use the File>Place command to bring it into Elements as a Smart Object.
You could also use the File>Open command instead. Then, drag the new blank layer from the Photo Bin onto the other file in the workspace. (In PSE 14, a file dragged from the Photo Bin will come in as a Smart Object).
Just keep this in mind. There are limitations to what you can do with Smart Objects. Some tools and commands will not work unless you simplify the Smart Object layer first. Ex.: the Brush tool, the Healing brushes, the Clone Stamp tool, the Dodge/Burn tool, the Edit>Fill command, the Edit>Stroke command, etc. If you need to preserve the Smart Object layer, another option would be to duplicate it and, then, simplify it.
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Berengaria
Established Forum Member
Posts: 398
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Berengaria on Jun 23, 2019 13:23:30 GMT
Thank you Sepiana. I have trouble remembering the simplest things anymore, things I've probably done many, many times. I really appreciate your patience. Berie
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 23, 2019 23:34:00 GMT
Berie, you are most welcome! Glad to help. Post back if you have any more questions.
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