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21cents
Participating Frequently
February 7, 2020
Question

Sizing a psb smart object but keep object dimension constant on the canvas

  • February 7, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 1491 views

I am trying to lower file size of my psd by scaling down overly large smart objects. I want to reduce psbs to a little larger than what I could possibly need so I have some flexibility if the layout changes, but not beyond that. When I open the smart object psb and change the image size, is there a way to keep the dimension the same on the canvas, without then having to enlarge the object? In other words, if I scaled the psb to 50%, after saving and returning to the document, I have to scale to 200% to match the original. Is there a way to avoid it? In InDesign, for instance, if I edit my linked psd to 50% and update, the image fills the box just as before, but with lower resolution. 

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2 replies

D Fosse
Community Expert
D FosseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 8, 2020

In a smart object, physical size takes precedence over pixel dimensions. So if you open the embedded psb, and change the pixel dimensions by resampling to a lower ppi number, the physical size will remain the same and you should not see any change in the master document.

 

I haven't tried this, so do a test first... 😉

 

2
21centsAuthor
Participating Frequently
February 8, 2020
I think you’re saying instead of having, for example, a 50% SO originally at 300dpi, I would have a 50% SO starting at 150dpi, keeping the same dimensions on the page. It seems OK as a workaround, and the file is smaller without my having to adjust the art on the canvas. It does mean though that all of my placed SOs could start out with different resolutions, slightly tricky, maybe confusing later if someone else picks up the file. I share a lot of files...
2
21centsAuthor
Participating Frequently
February 8, 2020

The ppi number of the embedded smart object doesn't matter. It's the ppi number of the master document that counts. Sooner or later that smart object will be rasterized anyway, and then it loses all its inherent properties. Only the properties of the master document remain.

 

I just tested it now, and it works exactly as I thought it would. As you reduce the resolution in the smart object, nothing changes in the master document - except you can see definition disappear if you reduce by a lot.


Yes, I follow. Thank you very much for taking the time to assist me.

Regards, grace
jane-e
Community Expert
jane-eCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 8, 2020

Hi

In InDesign, you are not scaling the original image — the image has been placed as a link into InDesign and the actual PPI never changes. In the Links panel you will see both the Actual PPI as well as the Effective PPI (the result of scaling.)

 

In Photoshop, though, are you scaling the PSB inside the SO or are you scaling the SO itself? Please clarify, and read this help page:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/create-smart-objects.html

 

~ Jane

2
21centsAuthor
Participating Frequently
February 8, 2020
I would like to scale the PSB inside the SO because I'm trying to lower the document size. I use a lot of pickup art so the art exists elsewhere so I'm not worried about losing data on the PSB, just don't need it excessively large, but large enough to give myself a little flexibility in case I need to size up, for example, 10% later.
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