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PediatricOphthalmologist
Inspiring
December 28, 2020
Question

Modifying pixel-based adjustments

  • December 28, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 195 views

This is a complicated question, so here’s the summary in advance:  what’s the most efficient workflow for an image in which I would like to make both pixel-based (ie clone-stamp, dodge/burn, etc) and filter-based (smart filters, of course) adjustment AND be able to modify any of the changes.

 

The details: I have an image for which I would like to make two or more pixel-based adjustments as well as use (smart) filters.  I would also like to use only one pixel-based tool per rasterized layer. I’m still a rookie here (hence my official rank as “Community Beginner”) but I thought the best workflow strategy would be to put the pixel-based layers (again, one tool per later) just above the background layer, duplicate each of those rasterized layers and merge one copy of each of them into a smart layer on which to use the filter-based changes.  Modifying the smart filter adjustments is of course a cinch, but what if I also wanted to be able to modify the pixel-based adjustments after creating the smart layer above them?  Having retained a copy of each rasterized layer, I could then make the change(s), duplicate those layers yet again (in case there’s another iteration), again merge one copy of each rasterized layer into a smart layer and copy the smart filters into this modified smart layer and delete the previous smart layer.

 

I suspect there’s an easier, more efficient way to do this.  Any suggestions?

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2 replies

Bojan Živković11378569
Community Expert
Bojan Živković11378569Community Expert
Community Expert
December 28, 2020

If I can understand your question then look at instructions by @barbara_a7746676 and I want to add: the trick is to convert Normal layer to Smart Object layer, not Background what is default if you use Place command.

 

  • Open image
  • Convert Background to normal layer by clicking on padlock on the right side of layer
  • Convert layer to Smart Object
  • Aplly filter to Smart Object layer
  • Edit Smart Object layer content
  • In SO editing mode create new layer and clone on that separate layer
  • You can edit Smart Object layer at any time and every time you update content Photoshop will reapply filters applied to Smart Object.
P
PediatricOphthalmologistAuthor
Inspiring
January 2, 2021

Thanks to you both for the expert recommendations and Happy New Year!

barbara_a7746676
Community Expert
barbara_a7746676Community Expert
Community Expert
December 28, 2020

You could open your image in Photoshop without making it into a Smart Object layer at the beginning. If it is already a smart object layer, right click on it and choose rasterize so that it is no longer a smart object.

Then convert it to a Smart Object layer. Any filters you apply will be applied to the smart object layer and be easy to edit non-distructively at any time. If you want to make pixel adjustments, you can double-click on the smart object layer. It will then open as a temporary file in a new window in Photoshop where you can make pixel adjustments. To keep the adjustments, save the temporary file -- do not change the name of the file -- and then close it. The smart object layer will be updated.

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