What are the uses of Smart Objects in Photoshop (PSD)?

A very powerful function within Photoshop CC are Smart Objects. Smart Objects were originally created for the use of graphic design. Smart Object is a useful function for photography. An important function of smart object is to allow non-destructive editing not only of the images but also of filters applied to an image. 

In this article, we will try to get to know the use of smart objects in PSD in detail and take a look at some things that we can do with Smart Objects. Smart Objects are layers that contain image data from raster or vector images. Smart Objects preserve an image’s source content with all its original characteristics, enabling us to perform non-destructive editing to the layer.

1. What are Smart Objects

Adobe defines a “Smart Object as a special layer that can contain both raster and vector image data while preserving the image's source content and all original characteristics”. This Smart Object layer allows for non-destructive editing of the source content. The scope of Smart objects is indefinite because any object, any logo, any layer or even a photo taken with a camera can all be converted into a smart object.

2. How to create a Smart Object

Creating smart objects is actually very easy. To do this, we need to select the layers in the Layers Panel, right click and choose create Smart Object. Smart objects can also be created by using the Place command when bringing images, logos or other graphics into the Photoshop file from another location Smart Objects can be embedded into a Photoshop file, or linked from an external file. Linked Smart Objects have all of the advantages of those that are embedded, plus a few additional benefits.

3. Use of Smart objects in Photoshop

With smart object, we can perform non-destructive transforms.

1. You can scale, rotate, skew, distort, perspective transform, or warp a layer without losing original image data or quality.
2. With smart object, we can work with vector data
3. We can edit filters applied to Smart Objects at any time.
4. Apply a layer mask that’s either linked or unlinked to the Smart Object layer.
5. With the introduction of smart objects in photoshop, it became possible to manipulate Smart objects without losing the original data and image.
6. With smart objects, it is also possible to apply most effects without being rasterized.

CONCLUSION:

Smart Objects provide a solid base for designers today. The scope of designing software have hit large scale with the introduction of Smart objects. Almost all the possible functions of Photoshop can be applied on smart objects.

One’s creativity and innovations can go to any extend with the use of smart objects. In the earlier versions of Adobe Photoshop, we don’t find such a feature. But all the last versions of Photoshop have included this function in the Photoshop making it a very useful and productive Graphic Software for designers.