Smart Object to Layers

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Layer Manager
Smart Object to Layers

In this article

Smart Object to Layers is a preset from the Layer Manager bundle. It helps you to resolve smart objects into individual layers.

Basics

Locked Layers

Locked layers will be avoided. If you also want to convert locked smart objects into layer, you have to activate this option. A layer is only locked when everything is locked. Should, for example, only transparent pixels be fixed or the position locked, the layer is not considered locked. Layers that are in locked groups are also not considered locked. In this article from Adobe you will learn more about fixing layers.

Options

Keep Original Object

This option will keep the original smart object and hide it. If this option is deactivated, the original smart object will be deleted.

Left: Original object was kept. Right: option disabled, the smart object has been deleted.

Hidden Layers

Layers that are hidden within the smart object can be inherited (option active) or ignored (option inactive).

Left: hidden layer was converted. Right: hidden layer has been ignored.

Group

Add Smart Object into Group

All layers of the smart object are added in a group. If you want to prevent this, you have to deactivate this option. By adding the layer in a group, the following additional options are available.

Left: Smart object was resolved into a group. Right: Smart object without group.

Layer Mask (Canvas Size)

The canvas size of the original smart object can be simulated by applying a layer mask to the group. Thus, image content bounded by the canvas size remains in its original state.

Left: the smart object’s canvas size is simulated by a layer mask on the group. This will cut off the red circle.

Adopt Properties

If certain properties have been assigned to the original smart object, eg. name, opacity, blending mode, or layer styles, these properties will be applied to the group. Smart filters will be lost during conversion.

Left: properties of the smart object (name, layer style) have been added to the group.

Resize Options

Resize Content

If the smart object has a different size than the document in which it is placed and that size has been modified, this option will scale each layer to match the current size. If this option is deactivated, the individual layers are created in their original size.

Left: the size of the layers has been adjusted. Right: the original size of the smart object that is larger than the canvas size of the current document.

Scale Layer Style

If the smart object contains layers that have layer styles, resizing may result in visual changes. This option automatically adjusts the layer effect parameters to the new size.

10 pixel stroke in a 500px document (1) and in a 250px document (2). Figure 3 automatically compensates the stroke size difference in the 250px document.

Scale Shape Stroke

If the smart object contains shapes that have a stroke, resizing may result in visual changes. This option automatically adjusts the stroke size of the shape.

Scale Shape Fill

If the smart object contains shapes that have a scalable fill (pattern, gradient), resizing may result in visual changes. This option automatically adjusts the scale of the shape’s fill.