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Participating Frequently
January 14, 2020
Question

Could not edit smart objects

  • January 14, 2020
  • 6 replies
  • 9019 views

Hello guys,

Since the new updates to 2020, my photoshop can't edit the smart objects (vectors from Illustrator).

The message is : " Could not edit original smart object because the app which created the smart object couldn't be launched"

 

One thing to mention - the vector was imported from Illustrator 2020 !

HELP ?!

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    6 replies

    P
    Paula222857870i7l
    Participant
    September 5, 2024

    To solve the error "photoshop could not edit original smart object because the application which created the smart object could not be launched" for .psb smart objects: right click the problematic smart object, select Convert to Layers (click OK after), then make the individual layers back into a new smart object. 

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    jane-eCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 5, 2024

    @Paula222857870i7l 

     

    Sorry, but I am not following how this solves the OP's issue of editing Vector Smart Objects in Adobe Illustrator?

     

    Jane

     

      dcs plus
      dcs plusAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      January 14, 2020

      I have installed Adove version 23.0 and now I can open the smart objects (vectors) from Photoshop...

      Its a moment solution...but it's not correct. From my point of view its a bug over there!

      JJMack
      Community Expert
      JJMackCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 15, 2020

      "Its a moment solution...but it's not correct. From my point of view its a bug over there!"

       

      Can you explain "Over There" or sing me that song.

      JJMack
      dcs plus
      dcs plusAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      January 15, 2020

      🙂 SORRY, Don't get upset...with the word "bug".Lets call it Ladybug :))

      The file association its the problem everytime a new release is launched.

       

      Using an older version of Illustrator to edit the smart object its weird, because normaly I work simultaniously with both Photoshop & Illustrator 2020 and when I double click the smart object to edit it...Illustrator old version its launching. So instead of working with 2 programs...the third one is launching

       

      Can you please guide me how and where I should make the changes so that the smart object should open Illustrator 2020 instead of the older one ? Thank you!

      jane-e
      Community Expert
      jane-eCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 14, 2020

      Hi

      I just double-checked, and it is working for me (exactly as it always has) in 2020 with File > Place Linked. Check your file associations for .ai to see if that's the issue:

      • in Finder/Windows Explorer, what happens when you double-click an Illustratror file to open it
      • in Adobe Bridge, what happens where you open an Illustrator file?

      https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/file-associations-broken-uninstall-applications.html

       

      ~ Jane

      JJMack
      Community Expert
      JJMackCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 14, 2020

      Correct Photoshop does not support vector image file formats.  You can import them as a raster image  layer you can not edit them as vector objects.  When you place the into Photoshop as Smart Object Layer Adobe call them vector smart object.  There are no vectors in Photoshop the layer smart object contains a copy of the vector file or a link to it. So when you transform the smart Object layer Photoshop can import the image the size required.  The Import Process will render the none vector layer the required size. There is not problem what you want to do is nor supported by Photoshop.  You need to use a vector editor that supports vector files like AI.  If you install a vector editor the vector image file will be associated the that vector editor. If you the open a vector smart object in Photoshop  it will open that editor like AI.  If you have a vector editor installed check your system  file associations make sure file extension like .svg and .ai are associated with  your vector editor. If you have a install a new version of AI  then later un-install an older version of AI Adobe un-installer may have broken the file associations.

      JJMack
        dcs plus
        dcs plusAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        January 14, 2020

        Still need help ! Problem not solved 😞

        A
        Anonymous
        January 14, 2020

        Hi

        Take a look at this thread to see if it helps

        https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop/smart-objects-created-in-illustrator-can-not-be-updated-from-photoshop/td-p/10381526#10889306

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