Why Can You Non-destructively Scale a Smart Object?

The unparalleled precision and opportunities of Adobe Photoshop have transformed the creative ideas of artists and designers. And the Smart Objects’ non-destructive scaling is an added advantage. With this, you can resize images of any size without disrupting the overall quality, and Smart Objects can be seen with perfect details. 

It brings change without overwriting the image data so that you can edit or filter with perfect detail. However, the best thing is to master the art of analyzing the full potential and catalog for non-destructive scaling. So, by carefully understanding the drawbacks and benefits, you can maximize your potential and efficiency in Smart Object scaling.

What is Smart Object?

A Smart Object combines layers that allow non-destructive editing without affecting the original document. And it holds multiple layers to apply different characteristics and tools, keeping the original image. 

And when applying the filters directly to the layers will achieve the desired results. However, when undone, it will turn into a low-resolution image, thereby impacting the picture’s overall quality. The changes are applied to the Object so the Smart Object retains the quality when resizing or using other filters.

The Smart Object works as a “Container” covering the layers, and it will protect the pixels or quality. And container protects the file from harm and prepares for transformation, wrapping, or distortion. 

With this, you can make multiple copies and can change or replace the content, and these changes will appear in all documents. 

So, Illustrator’s Smart Objects let you change the different layers with better control and free you from the hesitation of permanent changes. You can also explore different ways of scaling the non-destructive Smart Objects and how effectively they should create.  

Why can you non-destructively scale a smart object?

Adobe Photoshop’s Smart Objects can break down an image into multiple independent layers to work or adjust according to the need. The Object protects the data to non-destructively scale the image at any editing stage. And there are several enlisted reasons why you can non-destructively scale a smart object. 

1. Pixel Independent Graphics

When dealing with traditional graphics, the interpolation results in the loss of pixels and directly affects the overall quality. And when scaling through the Smart Object, it’s known as “smart interpolation,” which retains the high-quality image.

Furthermore, vector-based resolutions can be scaled non-destructively and independently. Its innovative technology can resize the image with perfection for precise editing.

2. Non-destructive Transformations

The transformations can permanently change the layers because you will lose pixel quality when you scale your video up or back it down. However, after converting the image into a Smart Object, it will retain the non-destructive data. The object stores and utilizes the information for scaling and appropriately resizing the image.

3. Reversible and Reusable adjustments

The Smart Object preserves the non-destructive data making it handy to revert to the original file. It enables you to test filters without worrying about irreversible damage.

And Smart Objects can be reused for multiple files, and it’s beneficial in saving time and in bringing consistency. 

Another milestone of the objects is their compatibility with Adobe Photoshop’s editing filters. It allows you to change or make non-destructive adjustments to scale the image. So, Adobe Photoshop brings flexibility with its non-destructive scaling of intelligent objects, which ensures you preserve the quality. It also provides precision and many other opportunities to protect the original document.

How to Create Smart Objects in Photoshop?

Smart Objects bring flexibility in applying non-destructive adjustments to scale your files without worrying about irresistible change. And creating the Object is a simple process that enables seamless editing for professionals.

So, hereunder prominent methods will guide you in creating Smart Objects.

Method-1 The Layer Panel Method

Layer Panel is the simplest of all methods, which follows the enlisted steps to convert a layer into an object.

Step 1- Menu Icon

Open the image you want to convert and navigate to the “Menu Icon” from the top-right corner.

Step 2- Convert to Smart Object

After that, click on “Convert to Smart Object” from the pop-up window.

Method 2- Right Click Method

There is one thing to ensure that the “Selection Tools” is active from the Toolbar, and with “Magic Wand Tool,” you will have no access to Smart Object scaling. Follow the enlisted steps to use this method:

Step 1- Right Click

For Windows, “Right Click” and For Mac, “Control Click” on the image.

Step 2

Then, from the pop-up menu, select “Convert to Smart Object,” it can also be used for merging multiple layers.

You can merge multiple layers by selecting Ctrl/ Command+ Click or Shift+ Click (right-clicking) and selecting “Convert to Smart Object.” 

Method 3- Layer Menu Method

Step 1- Layers

1. Open the Premiere Pro and click on “Layers” from the menu bar

Step 2- Smart Objects

1. After that, select “Smart Objects” from the pop-up menu.

Step 3- Convert to Smart Object

1. Click on “Convert to Smart Objects,” and it will convert the layers.

You can analyze that a small “Smart Object” icon has appeared on the Layers preview bar. So it clearly shows that the layer was successfully converted to the object.

Method 4- Photoshop’s Camera Raw Method

1. Go to the “File” from the menu bar and select “Open.” You can use “Ctrl + O” to open and import the files for this.

2. Select the image you want to edit in Photoshop.

3. After editing, the raw image must open in the “Camera Raw” window to convert into the Object. So, hold down the “shift” key and press the “Open Image” button from the bottom right corner of the screen.

4. It will automatically convert to an “Open Object,” which is ready to edit by the Object.

And the file will open in the Smart Object for non-destructive scaling, making it easy to edit further. 

Note: Adobe Photoshop Smart Objects also let you choose how to blend or perform the layers. Go to the “Layers” from the menu bar and click on “Smart Objects.” Then select “Stack Mode” to merge different layers and to develop a unique image assembly.

By this, you can seamlessly create intelligent objects which can be further used for non-destructive editing and preserving the original image quality.

Benefits of Smart Objects for Photographers

The object influences photographers in preserving and enhancing image quality and bringing professional results. So, after protecting the best moments, the Objects bring meaning to them. In addition, it provides loads of benefits for scaling, editing, efficient adjustments, and compatibility. However, the significant benefits are described hereunder:

1. Non-Destructive Editing

With non-destructive editing, you can convert any layer into a bright object, and changes applied can be removed or modified without altering the data. And Smart Object brings professionalism when dealing with composite images for effective resizing. 

Furthermore, you can convert multiple layers into a single Smart Object by “right-clicking” and selecting “Convert to Smart Object.” After merging the layers, right-click the object icon to edit the single layers further.

2. Smart Filters

After converting the layers to a bright object, any filter applied is known intelligent filter. With this, you can use sharpening or noise reduction filters, but it will bring non-destructive changes, and you can always change the filter impact.

You can adjust the “Gaussian Blur” and the customization level with intelligent filters. And the Object will automatically update if the source file changes, enabling easy data modification.

It enables experimenting with different filters and effects without permanently changing the image data. 

3. Smart Object Scalability

It’s helpful when you have to constantly resize the images or graphics because the Object is resolution independent. You can scale the pictures up or down without losing quality and non-destructively.

The flexibility of intelligent objects removes the blur effect after zooming in or out. For example, after applying the smart objects, you can add design to your work and different layers to the design or image. This change will also appear in the file and be called an intelligent objects snapshot.

4. Nested Smart Object

You must split your data into multiple smart objects for better functioning for complex designs. It’s essential when dealing with Layers Style Graphic effects. So, to process the individual Object, you can place Objects into a single Smart Object, which makes working with these complex files easy.

Also, masking the intelligent objects is an advantage for setting boundaries for background design and adding layers to the image.

5. Image Averaging

Image Averaging has grown faster because it reduces the noise and brings clarity by merging different layers. For averaging, follow the steps:

• Click on the “Layer” from Menu Bar and select “Smart Objects.”

• Then tap on “Stack Mode” from the pop-up menu.

• You can choose “Mean” or “Median” mode according to your preferences.

So, Image Averaging is desirable for graphic design professionals because of its better and excellent results.

Drawbacks of Smart Objects

With versatile benefits, the objects are considered an integral part of video editing and bring smoothness. However, it comes with significant setbacks that can turn happy moments into frustration. You can understand the problem and overcome it by carefully working on the objects:

1. File Size

For many photographers, using Smart Objects is challenging because it can increase the file size by manifolds. And it affects overall performance, especially when dealing with complex or more extensive files. And it will make the file size considerably larger when saving the edited files and using many available resources. 

However, before exporting the file, you can rasterize the image by right-clicking on the image thumbnail, and it will reduce its size by removing the Object. And, if you export the files as “JPEG,” the file size issue will be resolved.

2. Limited Editing

Smart Objects work as containers because they cover the original files, so Photoshop treats them as separate entities. So, you have to change or modify the files independently because it limits content editing. Besides, you cannot access some filters during the Smart Object and must change files to regular layers for complete editing.

3. Compatibility

Smart Objects are known for their wider compatibility, but this differs when dealing with other software or using older Photoshop versions. Because of compatibility issues, some functionality may be lost when dealing with other platforms.

Besides compatibility, it adds a layer of complexity, making it harder to understand and implement the intelligent object features.

So, Smart Objects are valuable when dealing with Photoshop filters because of their advanced features and better control. It’s handy for professional designers because it allows them to work non-destructively on files. And the potential drawbacks, file size or limited editing, are specific to your requirements and workflow.