Using a Smart Set in Photoshop
Hard to believe I never noticed this little gem before recently. I have been working in Photoshop since version 2.0 - way before PS even had layers, let a lone all the great mind-boggling features it now sports. That is one of the things I miss about working with other people nearby ~ that “Hey! Look what I found!” interaction that leads to learning. So, everyone - Hey! Look what I found!
I do a lot of repeat patterns and while this has nothing to do with a repeat, this tip really speeds up part of the process. So let’s get started…
Say you have this little flower motif you want to scatter. You’ve got a total of three layers that make up this flower: 1. the flower outline, 2. the flower fill, and 3. the center fill.
Select all three layers…
…then, either using the fly-out menu (the little arrow at the top of the Layers Palette)
…or by going under Layers > Smart Objects > Group Into New Smart Object.
This will combine the three layers into one ~ however, this is not the same as merging layers together (you’ll find out why in a second).
Now go ahead and duplicate that layer as many times as you need to make the pattern you desire.
Now here’s the really cool part… You decide you don’t want that flower to be orange, but now what do you do? You’ve “lost” your layers….. Double click on one of the new “smart set” layers (any one will do, but you have to do it inside the icon box rather than over the title of the layer) and this dialog box will pop up:
Don’t be overly concerned about it, just click OK. What happens now, is a file opens that contains just your original flower - with all three layers!
Edit the file, layers as you wish, then simply save (don’t Save As, just save).
Return to your repeat file and viola! the changes you just made to the smart set are now reflected on every flower in your repeat file!
Pretty cool, eh? How could I not have known about this??? I can’t tell you how much easier this makes my life! Hope it is a new and joyous discover for some of you as well!
FYI ~ I have Photoshop CS2
February 16th, 2009 at 11:48 am
HI! what version of Photoshop are you using? I have an older version…I have got to upgrade and buy a Cintiq but I am just pluggin along planning on Surtex and I don’t want to learn anything new (program wise!) for a couple months. Isn’t that horrible?
February 16th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Thank you for that wonderful tip! I am just getting started in this business and trying to learn new tools. I love reading blogs of other artists and so many are willing to share their knowledge and wisdom to help others. This is a great encouragement to me.
Bless you!
February 16th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Thank you so much for the great tip! I’m working on some repeats now and this feature will come in handy. I’ve been reading your blog for a while now- you are very talented!
February 16th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Hi BJ!!!
what fun…I have been learning so much about Photoshop these days…and this is a wonderful post….you rock girl!!!
You always help with sharing what you know…you are wonderful…
hugs
Diana
February 16th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
since I am photoshop illit I use illustrator and never really do repeats! I am spoiled by telling my clients they have to do it!! which makes my life easier. One day I will learn all the facets of PS, but for now it will have to wait! Thanks for the demo!
February 17th, 2009 at 12:45 am
Thank you!!!! I have CS3, but I’m sure it’ll work. I really need to get onto http://www.Lynda.com to brush up on my PS and AI skills. I know there are so many cool things I could be doing with them.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Oh, wow- that is an excellent tip! I always wind up “merge visible” the image, which, you know, is NOT a good way to go. Great tip. I love PS tutorials!
February 24th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
That is TOTALLY COOL BJ! Thanks for sharing! I’m off to try it… :)
Tara
ArtLicensingInfo.com
February 24th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I love this tip! Thank you so much BJ!! What a great tip and tutorial!
February 24th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I agree with missing working with other creatives and learning cool tips. But hey, now we all have virtual co-workers! I too have been with Photoshop since 2.0 and I am always amazed at how robust it is.
Thanks for sharing!
February 26th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Thank you so much for sharing this in such a detailed tutorial you’re awesome…I am having such an “ahaaaaa…” moment (not just a short “aha”). I knew those things existed, only because quite often I’ve accidentally bumped something that turned layers into smart sets when I didn’t mean to, so all I’ve done with them is say %(&#@! (over and over again until I scare the animals) and keep undoing until I’m back to where I was! I thought they were only there to torture me…but NO! They’re there to make my life easier, thanks to you.
Can’t wait to try this…
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:59 am
Hi BJ, How have you been? Thanks so much for this tip, its great and I will definitely be using it. There’s so much to know about PS that its impossible to learn it all except to gradually build on what you already know.
Also, loved seeing the dauphin mailbox dressed up for bike week!
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Thanks for the info! I’m sure to make use of this. Photoshop has so much going on, it’s hard to know everything that it can do without taking courses. I find it easier to remember when I learn specific things like this, rather than tons of information that only has a few pertinent features that I would use. Thanks again. - Marlene
April 16th, 2009 at 2:53 am
Hi BJ,
Thank you so much for sharing the tip in Photoshop. I already used the information.
Very cool. Also, love all the new fabrics.
Take Care,
Franchelle
September 1st, 2009 at 11:01 pm
OMG!!! That is so cool!! Thanks for sharing!
September 6th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Hi BJ,
Thank you for opening up a new door for me! I just discovered your blog, and as a result just discovered your PS tip. I’ve always made patterns in Illustrator because of ai’s tiling features and the wand/select to change colors universally. Now I see I can do the same in PS with smart group and will let me create a more painterly look in a pattern which would be a pain to do in Illustrator!