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silly_savage
Inspiring
June 12, 2025
Answered

Aligning multiple Smart Object to another one

  • June 12, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 387 views

I have a task ahead of me tomorrow that involves stacking up some renders and aligning them to another smart object that's already scaled and positioned off-centre of my canvas.

Align tool is not working for me - I need the original SO to remain unchanged, align moves both layers and I also need to transform multiple layers/SOs together.

Making new SO via copy and linking in the stack doesn't work as I need the layers exposed and I lose the transforms when I convert to layers.

Currently I'm stuck with recreating the stack (with it's specific layer styles) from each of the base smart objects, so they inherit its transform, but that's gonna be quite tedious as there's 24 to do. A script I have that relinks SOs to new folders will make the process much quicker but I need to transform to that base Smart Object (made harder by the fat that when you link layers the scale displays as relative - not absolute!)

Are there any other tricks here? 

Correct answer silly_savage

Ok, so worked out that I can make the stack, link layers, duplicate it over and manually enter the transform - that sort of works, I'd rather not have to be typing in pixel numbers though, more than anything I don't trust myself to always get it right.

4 replies

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 14, 2025

Another approach, load a selection from the base/key smart object layer transparency.

 

Align the other layers to the selection.

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 13, 2025

    As @Stephen Marsh already asked please provide sample files or meaningful screenshots. 

    If relinking should prove useful then which rules govern the names and locations of the replacement files? 

    Stephen Marsh
    Community Expert
    Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 13, 2025

    @silly_savage 

     

    It might be possible to script this, however, there would need to be a process where you identify the particular base SO (name, colour label, 2-step script, etc.) and then select the other layer/s to align to the defined base SO.

     

    A representative dummy sample file or at least a screenshot clearly marked up would be required for further exploration.

      S
      silly_savageAuthorCorrect answer
      Inspiring
      June 12, 2025

      Ok, so worked out that I can make the stack, link layers, duplicate it over and manually enter the transform - that sort of works, I'd rather not have to be typing in pixel numbers though, more than anything I don't trust myself to always get it right.

      Chuck Uebele
      Community Expert
      Chuck UebeleCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 13, 2025

      I think your work around is as close as you're going to get. It would be great to be able to align and stack smart objects!

        Trevor.Dennis
        Community Expert
        Trevor.DennisCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        June 13, 2025

        @Chuck Uebele , I used to love your align tool before they included an equal spacing option.  That helped me more times than I can remember.

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