Key Concepts Flashcards
HISTORY
History is a RAM stored catalogue of all events that occur up to the maximum amount specified in Edit > Preferences > Performance.
Steps backward and forward in this timeline can be made by using the step backward and forward commands or by clicking on a state in the History Panel.
If you revert to a state in the panel and then carry out a new command all adjustments made forward of that point will be deleted so approach with caution.
Snapshots - A snapshot is an image that sits at the top of the history pallette and contains a composite of all adjustments made to the point it was created (right click > New Snapshot). It can be useful for reverting to earlier states or returning positive edits after losing things by after an earlier state has been selected from the history. The history Brush is used to achieve this.
Clipping Mask
A clipping mask locks affects on a layer to only affecting the visible pixels of the mask directly below it. A clipping mask will layer will indent to the right and show a right angle arrow pointing to the layer below it.
Can be used with pixel layers, adjustment layers etc.
ctrl + alt + G will clip and release the selected layer as will alt + click on the line between two layers.
Smart Objects
A smart object is an object embedded within photoshop that maintains the full pixel resolution and edits of its original source. The source is copied and save as a psb file within the psd file.
They can be created by selecting the layer and then going to the layer menu
Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object
or Right Clicking the layer and selecting Convert to Smart Object
It has numerous advantages including lossless resizing up to the original sources resolution as well as being able to go back into the file and edit it externally of the master document.
As well as size original rotational properties are also preserved, both of these are displayed in the options bar when using transform tools.
double clicking a smart object will open its own document window allowing for full edits to be made to it independently. This is where existing masks will be found.
saving the edits in the smart object document will update in the main document.
Duplicates of smart objects will all share the same source so alterations made in the source will affect all of them. To create a copy that can be edited independently of the others right click and select New Smart Object via copy or Layer > Smart Objects > New Smart Object via copy.
on projects with many layers this can have an organisational advantage, reducing the amount of permanently visible layers.
If you are working on a many layered project it is possible to merge layers as smart objects rather than the traditional merging down method. By selecting multiple layers and then choosing Convert to Smart Object they will be turned into a single smart layer that opens a psb with each original layer fully editable inside.
LINKED SMART OBJECTS
Linked smart objects behave the same way to embedded smart objects except they link to an external file as opposed to being a copy file stored with the working psd. This can be advantageous when you are uncertain of when an element is finished or not as making alterations will update the object in all files containing linked versions.
Documents open when alterations are made to a linked smart object will update when the layer is clicked but if a document is opened after a linked document has been changed you most go to
Layer > Smart Objects > Update Modified Content or right click the layer in the layer pallet and choose the same.
Linked files can also be relinked to a completely different file by accessing
Layer > Smart Objects > Relink To File or right clicking and choosing the same. Similarly they can be converted to embedded smart objects by selecting this from the contextual or layer menus.
SMART FILTERS
Smart filters are created when they are added to a smart object. This is much better than applying filters directly as it is non destructive. When a smart filter is added it will appear under the layer to which it is applied and will have its own layer mask which can be drawn upon for masking the effect.
Double clicking will reopen the filter to change settings and clicking the symbol in the right hand corner allows for opacity and blend mode adjustments.
Like normal layers smart filters can also be turned on and off by toggling the eyeballs or deleted.
