How to have an adjustment layer work below a smart object layer

Question

I have Photoshop 2020 and I am trying to understand how to use smart objects. I am unable to figure out how to have an adjustment layer display below my smart object layer. In many training videos I can see that there is a curves adjustment layer, for example, below the smart object layer. But, I am unable to figure out how this is done. I can do the filters with no trouble, I just can't do any adjustment layers. I can see how to convert an adjustment layer to a smart object, but this layer displays independently from the smart object layer.

Is it no longer possible to have adjustment layers displaying below the smart object layer?

Lynnea1941 · Accepted Answer

I found the solution to the problem. Julieanne Kost posted this on her blog: Fill and Adjustment Layer Shortcuts in Photoshop on 24 March 2020.

"Making Adjustments as Smart Filters--After converting layer(s) to Smart Objects, applying Image > Adjustments > (xxx), adds the adjustment as a Smart Filter. This can be helpful when the same mask is need for all adjustments (although you could also achieve this by placing all adjustments within a Layer Group and adding the mask to the group).

The trick is to go to Image > Adjustments, then choose your adjustment. The adjustment is found below the smart object layer as a smart filter.

Julieanne is just great.

D Fosse · Answer

While it's easy enough to put an adjustment layer under any other layer - just drag it in the Layers panel - it will only affect layers below it. Either all below layers, or just the one immediately below, by clipping to it.

Can you catch a screenshot from one of those videos, showing the Layer panel in such an arrangement?

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded