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zcrhb
zcrhb
Participating Frequently
February 5, 2014
Answered

What is the difference between 'Place Embedded' & 'Place Linked'?

  • February 5, 2014
  • 3 replies
  • 92011 views

Hey! In Adobe Photoshop CC what is the difference between placing something that is embedded and placing something that is linked?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer PECourtejoie

    Hello, Zack, these new entries in the file menu have a dedicated help page that explains them: http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/create-smart-objects.html

    Basically, linked puts a link to an external file that can be updated, embedded places the smart object inside the file.

    3 replies

    M
    Community Expert
    mark@headTrixCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 10, 2017

    Another way to look at it... is if you are working on a CD Cover, if you LINKED the files... you could have few designers working on various parts of the CD. So one person could be designing the cover, one person could be designing the back cover, and you could be designing the tray, and they can all be linked into the 1 FULL CD Template. And by LINKING, the FULL CD Template file does not become HUGE as it would when you EMBED the files. When you EMBED the file, if you change the original .PSD that you embedded, it will NOT update your main file. To update you would double-click the layer to open the .psb (Photoshop smart object) that was embedded into your new file.

     

    hope that helps!

     

    cheers!
    mark

     

     

    headTrix, Inc. | Adobe Certified Training & Consulting
      Martin_Bns
      Martin_Bns
      Inspiring
      January 3, 2015

      Hi Zackrabie, ,

      When I work on very large files I prefer to use Place Linked. The size of the final file is pretty the same but I like more because your final project will update it self if you make some changes to the linked file. In this way  your final composition will be your delivery file and you can edit easily smaller files stressing less your computer.

      For exemple right now I'm working on a huge compositing which will be printed 20m. My final final file will contain 6 sections of the compositing so if I need to edit one piece, I do not have to open the BIG file but just the smaller portion of it.

      Hope it can help.

      Martin Benes

        JJMack
        Community Expert
        JJMackCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        January 3, 2015

        Martin_Bns wrote:

        I do not have to open the BIG file but just the smaller portion of it.

        The big file will not be update till you open the document in Photoshop. If you open the linked objects file update and commit the update. The file image is still the old version.  That will remain that way unless you open the big file.  Only then  Photoshop will discover  the linked object has been updated so Photoshop will render new pixels for the smart object layer and apply any smart filters and adjustment needed.

        JJMack
          PECourtejoie
          Community Expert
          PECourtejoieCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
          Community Expert
          February 5, 2014

          Hello, Zack, these new entries in the file menu have a dedicated help page that explains them: http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/create-smart-objects.html

          Basically, linked puts a link to an external file that can be updated, embedded places the smart object inside the file.

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