Questions about Smart Object & Simplify Layer

[fotografffic]

I've read and watched several posts and videos about Smart Objects and can't say that I thoroughly understand them.

I'm using PSE2018. I think something I opened through the Open menu became an Smart Object and I couldn't work with it. I did not use Place and it is my understanding, perhaps incorrect, that a file only became a Smart Object if I opened a file using File > Place. Is this correct?

Regarding Simplify Layer, is that only used to turn a Smart Object into a regular layer?

Thank you.

[MichelBParis · Accepted solution]

fotografffic  wrote

I've read and watched several posts and videos about Smart Objects and can't say that I thoroughly understand them.

I'm using PSE2018. I think something I opened through the Open menu became an Smart Object and I couldn't work with it. I did not use Place and it is my understanding, perhaps incorrect, that a file only became a Smart Object if I opened a file using File > Place. Is this correct?

A regular layer is made of pixels values.

An adjustment layer is the result of applying the same math formula to the underlying layer(s)  pixels: only the math formula is saved, the result on all pixels is what is displayed.

A smart layer is the result of using a different image as a layer without transforming it in definitive pixels so that you can apply moves, resizing, titlting as many time as you want without quality loss, those transformations are always applied to the embedded source image copy in  your working file.

If you apply a size reduction to a regular bitmap pixel image, then later upsize it, you have lost quality. With a smart layer, the calculation is always done based on the original image and the new position, size and angle of the bounding rectangle of the layer.

In practice, the most common situation where smart layers are created is when you move a different file in the photo bin to the editing window. That moves indicates you'll want to use the photo bin image as the source. The photo bin image is shown with a temporary bounding box which you can move, resize, tilt not only once, but as many times as you want later... until you 'simplify' the layer, which means the above moves are 'cooked' into a regular layer.

A number of actions on layers are only possible on regular layers.

Regarding Simplify Layer, is that only used to turn a Smart Object into a regular layer?

Yes.

Note that when you are working on a collage or a project involving many smart layers, the size of the resulting .psd or .tif file is much highter with smart layers, because the source images are embedded in the layered file.

[fotografffic]

Yes, I've been using the  photo bin. Now I understand how the image became a Smart Object.

As always, thank you for the comprehensive explanations.