​ 1. Create smart objects

There are many ways to create a smart object, and generally speaking, the way you create it depends more on when and where you create it. For example, when you want to create "linked smart objects" (which is the new feature in PS CC 14.2 mentioned above) or create embedded smart objects, the situation and needs are different. In addition to managing and creating different smart objects through menus and settings, our most common way is to convert layers into smart objects directly in the layer panel through the right-click menu, or drag specific layers to the work area to create.

2. Maintain picture quality

One of the most important features of smart objects is ensuring image quality. Rasterized images are easily damaged when stretched and deformed. Even rotation will cause pixel loss and reduce image quality. However, if you convert the layer into a smart object in advance, PS will record the original information of the image, and no matter how many times you zoom it in the future, the image quality will remain the same as the original. Of course, it is worth mentioning that when the image is enlarged beyond the original image size, the smart object will also appear blurred, which is different from the vector image.

3. Save the free transformation settings

Another important feature of smart objects is their ability to save free transform settings. This may be a bit mysterious, but to put it simply, after you distort an image, you can still restore the distorted image to its original setting, making it practical again.

4. Share source files

When you copy a smart object in PS, at the same time, the embedded or linked source file is also shared by multiple smart objects at the same time. This means that no matter how many times you copy the smart object, you can batch update and modify the smart object by modifying the source file.

5. Create new smart objects by copying

          Usually this is how everyone handles smart objects. When you create a new smart object directly in the Layers panel by copying it, the new layer will not be affected by embedding or linking the shared source, and it has nothing to do with it. You can modify it inhumanely, of course, the only impact is that your PSD file will increase accordingly.

​ 6. Replace content

With smart objects, replacing content is a very simple matter. The only thing you need to do is double-click on the thumbnail and edit the source file. You will find that the biggest advantage of this function is that even after you rotate and transform a picture as you like, you can also replace it as you like.

7. Link smart objects

This new feature is unique to PS CC and makes it possible for users to use external source files for smart objects. This feature has several advantages, but the biggest advantage is linking smart objects to the same source file in multiple PSDs, and then editing the source files for batch modification. Of course, another advantage is self-evident: saving space.

8. Convert text layers into smart objects

Without a rasterized text layer, the text can be scaled, rotated and distorted very easily, but similarly, some deformations need to be rasterized before they can be implemented, and this is undoubtedly lossy. After converting the text layer into a smart object, you can implement lossless deformation. In AI, the same principle applies.

9. Use smart filters

Another big advantage of smart objects is that they can turn filters into smart filters. This editable filter effect can be used individually or in multiple stacks. There are only a few filters that cannot be used as smart filters

10. Smart filter mask

When you use a smart filter, you will notice that a white rectangle will appear in the corresponding position on the layer panel, which is the smart filter mask. Smart filter masks can mask specific filter effects applied to this layer, which is very useful.