Skip to main content
MarkWalsh
MarkWalsh
Inspiring
March 29, 2012
Question

Apply Smart object transformation to other layers

  • March 29, 2012
  • 1 reply
  • 2002 views

Is there a way to get the current transformation used on a Smart Object layer (scale/skew/rotat/perspective/warp/etc.), to allow applying it to other layer(s)? I've looked through the Javascript reference, and I haven't found anything that appears to allow this.

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

M
Michael_L_Hale
Inspiring
March 29, 2012

I have never been able to find a way and I have tried many times.

MarkWalsh
MarkWalshAuthor
Inspiring
March 29, 2012

Thanks, that's what I thought. I have many scenarios which need this, and it's a real annoyance that it doesn't seem possible. Somewhere in the file are the coordinates and specs which are controlling the transformation, and no way to access them

Among the needs I have, I work with people who seem to think of Smart Objects as if they are folders - I sometimes have to dig thorugh 5 or 6 layers of smart objects to get to what needs editing, and at least one occasion, Photoshop has crashed as I was trying to save my way back to the original document, losing the changes that I had made. I was hoping to be able to make a script which would open the Smart Object, bring the layers therein into the current document and apply the same transformations. This would save me a LOT of time fixing these messy files. It would also allow me to match an existing Smart Object layer to different Smart Object layer. I sometimes need to do this, as I occasionally edit one smart object only to find that several others which are the same graphic, are actually separate Smart Objects.

Oh, well. Maybe CS6. ...or CS7... or...

Thanks again.

M
Michael_L_Hale
Inspiring
March 29, 2012

As you said, a smart object is not just a sort of folder for images. Even if you set aside vector images, there is a lot of unique properties a smart object layer can have. The enclosed images may be in a different color space or at a different bit depth. There could be Blend-IF, Channel restriction, or blend mode options. Then there are the smart filters that can work differently than they would on a normal layer. Nested Smart Objects only add to the complexity.

I think even if we were able to determine the current transform settings for a smart object it would be very difficult to come up with a foolproof method of converting a nested smart object into it's component layers and still have the image look the same.

Still I agree it would be nice to be able to determine the current transform settings for simple single layer raster content smart object layers.

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices