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How to Place an Image in a Smart Object in Photoshop?

Published in Photoshop Smart Objects 3 mins read

While the provided reference focuses on creating a Smart Object, it doesn't directly explain how to place an image into an existing Smart Object. Here's how to do that:

  1. Locate your Smart Object: Find the layer in your Layers panel that is designated as a Smart Object. It will have a small icon in the lower-right corner of the thumbnail.

  2. Open the Smart Object: Double-click on the Smart Object's thumbnail in the Layers panel. This will open a new window (usually a .PSB file). This window contains the contents of your Smart Object.

  3. Place Your Image: Now you can place your image into this .PSB window:

    • Drag and Drop: Drag the image file directly from your computer into the .PSB window. Photoshop will treat it as a new layer.

    • Copy and Paste: Copy the image from another Photoshop document or application (Edit > Copy) and paste it into the .PSB window (Edit > Paste).

    • Place Embedded or Linked: Use File > Place Embedded... or File > Place Linked... to import the image. Place Embedded adds the image data directly to the Smart Object. Place Linked maintains a link to an external file; changes to the original file will update the Smart Object.

  4. Transform Your Image (If Necessary): Use the Transform tools (Edit > Transform) to resize, rotate, or distort the image within the Smart Object.

  5. Save the Smart Object: Once you've placed and adjusted your image, save the .PSB window (File > Save or Ctrl+S/Cmd+S).

  6. Return to Your Main Document: Close the .PSB window. When you return to your main Photoshop document, the Smart Object will be updated with the new image you placed inside it.

Key Benefits of Using Smart Objects:

  • Non-Destructive Editing: You can scale, rotate, and warp Smart Objects without losing image quality. The original image data is preserved.
  • Reversibility: You can always revert to the original state of the Smart Object.
  • Multiple Instances: If you duplicate a Smart Object, any changes you make to one instance will automatically be reflected in all other instances. This is extremely useful for creating consistent branding across a design.
  • Filtering: Smart Filters applied to a Smart Object are also non-destructive. You can edit or remove them at any time.

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