Saturday tip: Create linked smart objects | Photoshop CC
Finally in new update for Photoshop CC (Jan 2014 14.2) we are able to create linked smart objects (info from Adobe Photoshop help site):
Note:
The Linked Smart Object feature is available in Photoshop versions 14.2 (Photoshop CC | January 2014) and later.
In Photoshop CC, you can create linked smart objects. The contents of linked smart objects are updated when the source image file changes. Linked smart objects are particularly useful for teams or in cases where assets must be reused across designs.
Follow these steps to create a linked smart object:
1. Choose File > Place Linked.
2. Select an appropriate file and click Place.
The linked smart object is created and is displayed in the Layers panel with a link icon.
You can also create a linked smart object in an open document by dragging-and-dropping the appropriate file while keeping the following key pressed:
(Windows) Alt key
(Mac) Opt key
To change this default behavior, turn off Preferences > General > Always Create Smart Objects While Placing.
Update linked Smart Objects
If an external source file changes while a Photoshop document referencing it is open, the relevant linked smart object is automatically updated.
However, when you open a Photoshop document containing out-of-synch linked smart objects, you can update the smart objects:
• Right-click a linked smart object layer and select Update Modified Content.
• Select Layer > Smart Objects > Update Modified Content.
Linked smart objects whose source images have changed are visually highlighted in the Layers panel:
Out-of-synch linked smart objects are highlighted in the Layers panel
You can update all linked Smart Objects in the current Photoshop document by selecting Layer > Smart Objects > Update All Modified Content.
Linked smart objects with missing external source files are highlighted in the Layers panel
Resolve a broken smart object link
To resolve a linked smart object with a missing external source, follow these steps:
1. Right-click the linked smart object layer icon and select Resolve Broken Link.
2. Navigate to the new location of the missing object.
3. Click Place.
View linked smart object properties
With a linked smart object layer selected in the Layers panel, select Windows > Properties.
The following properties are displayed:
• The path of the external source file for the linked smart object
• The linked smart object size and positional coordinates (X, Y)
You can perform the following actions directly from within the Properties panel:
• Edit the contents of the external image file. If necessary, Photoshop opens an external application that can handle the source image file. For example, Photoshop opens Adobe Illustrator if the external source image is a .ai file.
• Embed the linked smart object within the current document.
Embed linked smart objects
Do one of the following:
• Right-click a linked smart object layer in the Layers panel and select Embed Linked.
• Select Layer > Smart Objects > Embed Linked.
• In the Properties panel, click Embed.
Select Layer > Smart Objects > Embed All Linked to embed all linked smart objects in the Photoshop document.
