Smart Objects Aren't

[cleamon]

I'm confused; maybe I don't understand this at all. Here's what I'm trying to do. I'm creating a set of images for a gallery from photos of varying sizes and resolutions. To make things consistent, I'm creating a new blank document (let's say 1440x900). I then resize the photo such that it fits within this document leaving a minimum border (say 200 pixels). I then paste that resized image into a new layer (so I can bevel/shadow it). So far this works great. Now, I 'Place' my signature file that has been previously sized to say 25 x whatever length.
For some reason though, it appears as different sizes in different images. I've gone so far as to flatten the images before 'placing' the signature - no difference.

In short, I'm placing a 25 pixel high image (smart object) into a 1440x900 image and it appears a different height in each one.

If instead, I copy/paste the signature, it works perfectly. I know, you'll say "then do it that way", but then don't I lose the advantage of using smart objects? My understanding was that if I decided to change the signature file, it would affect all files it's 'placed' in (a good thing).


Can anyone offer any suggestions? Thanks.

[sk66]

Check that the resolution of the files are the same (DPI)

[cleamon]

Originally Posted by sk66

Check that the resolution of the files are the same (DPI)

Yep! That was it. Some were 240 and others 300. Makes sense now - doh! Thanks.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by cleamon

Yep! That was it. Some were 240 and others 300. Makes sense now - doh! Thanks.

Sure, glad to help.
BTW, changing the signature will NOT update exported Jpegs, only the "working files".

[cleamon]

Originally Posted by sk66

Sure, glad to help.
BTW, changing the signature will NOT update exported Jpegs, only the "working files".

I figured as much on the exported files. Hate to be a pest, but to try this, I edited my signature file and saved it, then brought up one of the PSD files that it was embedded in. It had not changed there. I thought that would be automatic. Browsing the menus, I can't find an item to 'update' smart objects. Am I going to have to 'Replace Contents' ? That doesn't seem very efficient. Thanks

[sk66]

No, a smart object updates every "instance" of it in the current document, i.e. same image on several layers in different locations...edit one and they all change.
You can export a smart object (.psb) then update that file and use the replace function... not much use on simple designs.


BUT, there is a little known script which allows you to link smart objects. It's undocumented, no support, but was developed by Adobe people.

[cleamon]

Originally Posted by sk66

No, a smart object updates every "instance" of it in the current document, i.e. same image on several layers in different locations...edit one and they all change.
You can export a smart object (.psb) then update that file and use the replace function... not much use on simple designs.


BUT, there is a little known script which allows you to link smart objects. It's undocumented, no support, but was developed by Adobe people.

ok. Got it. Thanks for all the help.