Realistic looking smart object

[Newbie9]

Hi

What is the best setting to get a smart object (text document jpeg inserted) to look realistic?

Thanks 

[JJMack]

What do you mean be setting?  A jpeg is a raster image file that does not support layers so there is no vector text. Text is part of the raster images and text does not resample well. You do not want to  degrade your jpeg Image so be careful when using Place. Though Place will create a smart object that have your Jpeg Image quality.  Place will scale you image if the image files print resolution does not match the documents current resolution when place is used.

[Newbie9]

Thanks, the text does look quite blurry.  Are there any other ways of adding a text document other than jpeg to make it clearer?  Or is some lighting that might make it look like a photo to disguise it - I have tried lighting effects but probably lack of experience means its not coming out great.  

[JJMack]

Photoshop save Image Files  not text file.  Some Image File formates support vector layer like shape and txt. Those image file resizetext text perfectly, text  remains sharp and clear and print that way.  So work with Layered files keepe text as text layers and Save Jpeg files from you layed document resized for the print size and for web size you want.

[Newbie9]

Thanks very much for your help.  I have added as a layer instead, but to me it doesnt really look like a 'photo' which part of style I am hoping for (as well as clearer text).  Its a mockup of a printable text document so was hoping for it to look a bit like a photograph.  I have tried adding a contour and bevel to the paper/jpeg layer and added a gradient to add a bit of reflection.  Do you think I am on the right lines?  

[JJMack]

Post a link to your mockup template psd and note how you populate replacement content

[Newbie9]

Hi, I am having a little trouble setting up a link to a psd.  Would a link to one of the item jpeg images work instead so you can see how it currently looks ? I think i am possibly seeing an improvement through the gradient tool.

[JJMack]

No Templates determine what each replacement must be like and the script options used determine what replacement file types are supported..  Raw Replacement files can not be used in batch processing unless the Edit option is used. Because replace content uses Place, and Place will  open ACR interactive dialog and inteda activith ise not approate in a batch process.

When the Edit option is not used  Replace content is used the replacement images need to have the correct Aspect Ratio, Size and Print resolution as the Objects in the templates.

When you user my Script Edit option  the objects in the template's can not be Raw File objects or vector objects. For these object would not open in  Photoshop. They would open in ACR or AI. My scripts could not control the replacement procedure.

[Newbie9]

Hi, do you know if there is any guidance from Adobe on how to share a link to a pad n this community group so I can add it to this thread not you to look at? 

[Newbie9]

Should say 'psd' not 'pad'

[JJMack]

You upload your PSD to a server like Dropbox or google drive etc and post a link the PSD you uploaded.

[Newbie9]

Thanks, I think it should be here:-

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QCCQ9nXG5ZGFuy8Zpuvc-OdXDB3EBmQ8/view?usp=sharing 

I have included the original smartobject where I had started testing the gradient tool to try and work out how to make it look more photo-like.  I have also included a layer as a jpeg which I think you suggested.  The jpeg possibly looks a bit distorted, presumably due to how I inserted (file, place embedded and then increased size with ctrl and drag).  Any tips on how to make the image look more like a photograph would be appreciated.  Thanks very much.

[JJMack]

That PSD contains a smart Object Layer that contains a linked Object file you would  need to Package that PSD so the linked file would be included in the packaged  a long with the PSD file.  Normally I would not expect the see a smart object layer with a Linked object file used in a Mockup Template.  It make updating the Template complex and provides no benefit as far as I know.  If you want to replace all that text you should look at Photoshop's Data Driven Graphics.  You should Anso dowmload some free Mockup templated to see how others create Mockup templates. Toe use in Photoshop.

[Newbie9]

Thanks.  I'll have a look at that.  Best wishes