Action save smart layer?

[emmatomo]

Hi,

I am using a smart layer with for mock-up frame I'd like to create an action for to update the artwork on the mockup.

So I am copying and pasting the artwork onto the smart layer as part of the action.

It works for the artwork I created the action with, but if I was another artwork file, it pastes the artwork as a new layer onto the mock up PSD file, not the smart layer.

What is causing this and how can I prevent it?

Thanks

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you please post a screenshot with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible? 

If I understand correctly you would need to paste the content in the Smart Object. 

Have you considered using Layer > Smart Objects > Replace Contents in the Action with »Toggle dialog on/off« checked? 

[emmatomo]

Thanks, that works for replacing the contents but I am wanting to create an action as I have lots of different artwork to place in it and was wanting to use the image or batch processor. Sorry, I should have mentioned that.

Is there a way to do this with the Replace Contents feature?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

This issue seems to have come up again and again, please do a Forum serach.

Some examples 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop/batch-replace-smart-objets-of-same-dimension-and-resolution...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop/batch-replace-smart-objects-v2/m-p/10324542#M227768

Basically it needs a Script, to use Batch for this you would need to reverse the structure (opening the content and then placing or otherwise reconstructing the mock-up »around« it). 

[JJMack]

You can not paste into a smart object layer. The pixels rendered by Photoshop for the smart objects content are protected they can not be changed by Photoshop tools.  They can only be worked with by Photoshop smart filter tools to produce pixels for the smart object layers content. First all Smart objects have an associated transform to scale position and warp the smart objects for the layers content. The layer content can have additional Smart filters add to the layer. These will modify the object transformed layer pixels used for the layers comtent.  Photoshop tool like brushes, erasers, cut, paste etc. can not alter the smart object or alter the layer's content pixels.

There are two ways to change the smart object pixels.  Replace Content or Opening the Object and editing the object. 

The Size of the replacement object needs to be exactly the sane size as the object in the template. Canvas size, aspect ratio and print resolution no matter which method you use.  For the Associated layer transforms for the smart object layers that share the object are not replaced or modified when replace content or Edit Object is performed.  If you changes the object size all the layers that share the object  including the layer you used for replace content or edit object will transform the object as it is were the original object size. Replacement must be like the original object the Aspect Ratio, Size and Print Resolution must be maintained.

You may want to look into my Free Photoshop Photo Collage and Mockup Toolkit.  Toolkit