The latest version of Photoshop includes Smart Objects, which allow you to save multiple objects and place them together, giving you the ability to edit your composition from a single location. Smart Objects can be combined to create complex composites and the ability to select an object and move it around the scene means you can easily recreate your images.
Photoshop includes four different types of Smart Object. The original object (SOLID) is the same as the original file but can be split apart into layers, allowing you to edit the individual elements. A DYNAMIC object can be edited together with the original file (SOLID) and all layers remain intact. A TRANSFORMATION object can be edited using a set of predefined shapes and be applied to the original image, changing its look, or it can be edited using the live transform tool and shape transforms. Finally, a MODELLING object can be manipulated to create a 3D model that can be applied to your image, allowing you to turn your image into a digital sculpture.
The original object is the simplest and most versatile, as it is still an editable image, and it’s the one we most often use. A DYNAMIC object requires you to split each layer and then combine them again, which is a bit cumbersome, as you have to recreate the original file and the process is slow. A TRANSFORMATION object is useful for creating animated effects, but is limited to a set of shapes. Finally, a MODELLING object is much like a DYNAMIC object, as you must split the image, but you can now apply transformations using the live transform tool.
This article shows how to create a Smart Object using the original SOLID object, DYNAMIC object and a MODELLING object.
Table of Contents
Create a New Document
We’ll begin by creating a new document in Photoshop. Open Photoshop and click File → New to open the New dialog box. In the Name field, enter ‘Smart Object Test’ and in the Size field, enter a Width and Height of 524 px. Click OK.
Create the Original Image
In Photoshop, double-click the Smart Object Test icon to open the Smart Object Options dialog box. Select the ORIGINAL OBJECT checkbox and click OK.
Select the Rectangle Tool and click and drag to draw a selection, covering the left and right sides of the Smart Object Test. Next, click the Create New Layer button and rename the layer. Next, double-click the layer to edit it.
Press Shift + I to invert the selection and delete the unwanted area. Next, press Ctrl + E to merge the selected area into the background and fill with a neutral gray color. You should end up with something similar to Figure 1.
Create the Dynamic Layer
Double-click the Layer 1 icon. Press Shift + I to invert the selection and delete the unwanted area. Next, press Ctrl + E to merge the selection into the background and fill with a neutral gray color. You should end up with something similar to Figure 2.
Create the Transformation Layer
Double-click the Layer 3 icon. Next, press Shift + I to invert the selection and delete the unwanted area. Next, press Ctrl + E to merge the selection into the background and fill with a neutral gray color. You should end up with something similar to Figure 3.
Create the Modeling Layer
Click the Shape Tools button on the toolbar and select the Ellipse Tool. Next, click and drag to draw a selection that covers the top of the image. When you release the mouse, you should see a small white ellipse on the image. Press Ctrl + D to deselect the selection.
Next, press Shift + I to invert the selection and delete the unwanted area. Next, press Ctrl + T to create a new fill layer. Choose an appropriate color for the modeling layer, such as blue.
Select the Paint Bucket tool and click the blue ellipse layer to fill it. Next, click the Fill Layers button at the bottom of the layer window to flatten the layer. Next, select the Add Shape Layer button at the bottom of the layer window. Choose the Ellipse Shape.
Click the down arrow next to the Shape Type option and choose the Ellipse Shape. Next, click and drag to draw a selection that covers the bottom half of the image. When you release the mouse, you should see a small white ellipse on the image. Press Ctrl + D to deselect the selection.