How to have an adjustment layer work below a smart object layer

[Lynnea1941]

I have Photoshop 2020 and I am trying to understand how to use smart objects.  I am unable to figure out how to have an adjustment layer display below my smart object layer.  In many training videos I can see that there is a curves adjustment layer, for example, below the smart object layer.  But, I am unable to figure out how this is done.  I can do the filters with no trouble, I just can't do any adjustment layers.  I can see how to convert an adjustment layer to a smart object, but this layer displays independently from the smart object layer.

Is it no longer possible to have adjustment layers displaying below the smart object layer?

[D Fosse]

While it's easy enough to put an adjustment layer under any other layer - just drag it in the Layers panel - it will only affect layers below it. Either all below layers, or just the one immediately below, by clipping to it.

Can you catch a screenshot from one of those videos, showing the Layer panel in such an arrangement?

[Lynnea1941]

This is from Photoshop 2018.  PiXimperfect The COMPLETE Guide to Smart Objects in Photoshop. Uploadted to YouTube on September 7, 2018.

[Lynnea1941 · Accepted solution]

I found the solution to the problem.  Julieanne Kost posted this on her blog:  Fill and Adjustment Layer Shortcuts in Photoshop on 24 March 2020. 

"Making Adjustments as  Smart Filters--After converting layer(s) to Smart Objects, applying Image > Adjustments > (xxx), adds the adjustment as a Smart Filter.  This can be helpful when the same mask is need for all adjustments (although you could also achieve this by placing all adjustments within a Layer Group and adding the mask to the group).

The trick is to go to Image > Adjustments, then choose your adjustment.  The adjustment is found below the smart object layer as a smart filter. 

Julieanne is just great.

[D Fosse]

Wow. That's a completely new twist that I've never even heard about. Image > Adjustments is normally a destructive, direct-pixel adjustment that no one uses anymore. We all use adjustment layers as the non-destructive option.

I haven't even considered Image > Adjustments for ages. It just stopped being an option.

Thanks for posting this! Learn something new every day.

[Lynnea1941]

I am so tickled that I found the solution.  I also discovered that you can change the opacity for the layer adjustment.  It works!