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Sanpanza
Sanpanza
Known Participant
January 1, 2018
Question

Linked smart objects dose not change master file size.

  • January 1, 2018
  • 1 reply
  • 1375 views

I have a master file (Mac OSX)  that I am working on and I replaced few REGULAR layers with LINKED smart object layers in order to reduce the file size.

The problem is that the file size does not change. When I look at the actual file in the finder before I made the change it is 481 megs but when I look at the same file after I replace the regular (non-linked) layer with Linked smart objects layers, the file size remains the same at 481 megs. On the doc. file size view on the bottom left hand side of my document it says 231/738; even after I make the change.

Can any one explain?

Additionally, will Photoshop's functions speed up if I am working on a master file with LINED OBJECTS instead of regular layers?

If not, then what is the efficiency benefit of working with linked smart objects given that I typically don't work with a team and just want to work faster?

Thanks for your time and action.

Before

After

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1 reply

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 1, 2018

Hi

If you use a linked smart object, the document still contains a layer the size of the rasterised image from the smart object. So in your case you will see no difference between the smart object and using a rasterised layer

The advantages of a linked smart object are :

1. The layer in your file will only be the size of a single rasterised layer - even if the file it links to contains several layers

2. When you update and save the source file, the linked smart object is updated.

3. If you duplicate the linked smart object in your document , there is no further increase in file size

Dave

    Y
    yrkvch
    Participant
    April 12, 2019

    Hi, sorry to dig up an old thread, but regarding 3rd thesis, it does increase size twice if you duplicate a linked layer. Do I do something the wrong way?

    Sanpanza
    SanpanzaAuthor
    Known Participant
    April 24, 2019

    Every time you add a layer you increase the file size. If you have one layer and duplicate the layer, I believe you double the size of your file. If you have 50 layers and add a layer with a lot of paint you also increase the file size but only proportionately. That is my understanding.

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