Learn how to use Smart Objects in Photoshop to edit your images non-destructively. Smart Objects preserve an image's source content, allowing you to perform scalable transformations and apply filters without losing original image data.
In the Layers panel, right-click on the layer you want to convert. From the context menu, select Convert to Smart Object. The layer thumbnail will now display a small icon, indicating it's a Smart Object.
Select the Smart Object layer. Press Ctrl + T (Windows) or Cmd + T (Mac) to enter Free Transform mode. You can now scale, rotate, or warp the layer. Even if you make it smaller and then larger again, it will not lose quality.
Double-click the Smart Object's layer thumbnail. This will open the original content in a new tab (as a .PSB file). Make any edits you want in this new tab, such as painting or adding text. When you're done, save the file (Ctrl + S or Cmd + S) and close it. Your changes will automatically update in the main document.
With the Smart Object layer selected, go to the Filter menu and choose any filter (e.g., Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur). The filter will be applied as a Smart Filter, which appears below the layer. You can double-click the filter to edit its settings, or click the eye icon to toggle its visibility at any time.
Right-click the Smart Object layer and select Replace Contents. Choose a new file from your computer. Photoshop will replace the contents of the Smart Object with the new file, while keeping all transformations and Smart Filters intact.
Pro Tips for Smart Objects
Create a Linked Smart Object by going to File > Place Linked. This keeps the source file external. If you update the source file, all Photoshop documents linked to it will update automatically.
Duplicating a Smart Object (Ctrl + J) creates a linked instance; editing one will change all copies. To create an independent copy, right-click the Smart Object and choose New Smart Object via Copy.
Some tools, like the Brush or Eraser, cannot be used directly on a Smart Object. To edit its pixels directly, you must first rasterize it by right-clicking the layer and selecting Rasterize Layer. Be aware this action is destructive.
Embedding content into Smart Objects (especially high-resolution images) can significantly increase your Photoshop file size. Use Linked Smart Objects for complex projects to keep file sizes manageable.
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