AV News 201 - August 2015
W o rk in g W ith S m a rt O b je c ts a n d L in ks
Keith Scott FRPS
Way back in April 2007 Adobe Systems replaced its aging Photoshop CS2
with Photoshop CS3 Version 10 codenamed 'Red Pill'. As usual with the
introduction of any new Photoshop version it contained several brand new
features and some improvements to existing features. One such addition
was 'Smart Objects'. A brief definition of 'Smart Objects' may be described
as: Layers that contain graphics source data from either 'Raster' or 'Vector'
images, for example those used by either Photoshop or Illustrator. 'Smart
Objects' preserve image source data with all original characteristics, thereby
enabling nondestructive editing to the layer. 'Smart Objects' remained
throughout CS4, CS5, and CS6.
In June 2013 Photoshop CC (Creative Cloud) V14 was introduced. This
first CC version was subsequently updated in January 2014 to CC Version
14.2 codenamed 'Single Malt Whisky Cat'. This update with its interesting
codename added more advanced functionality by allowing Smart Object
layers to be placed embedded, or placed 'linked' from an external image
source. Thereby allowing automatic updates of edits to linked image files
across several different Photoshop documents which use the same image.
The contents of Linked Objects may be updated whenever its source image
data changes.
You may wonder at the differences between Raster based images and
Vector based images. Raster images are composed of pixels, they are
'resolution dependent', meaning that quality may be a concern depending on
image magnitude. A Raster image is
formed by an array of pixels usually
rectangular in shape, and responsive to
colours. Together they form an image
much like a table or dot matrix, see
exaggerated example image left. Raster
images can look rather 'blocky,' or
'pixelated'
especially
with
over
enlargement because each pixel
increases in size as the image is
enlarged.
Adobe Photoshop's native 'photographic' format is based upon Raster data
which has mixed advantages and disadvantages over other image formats.
One major disadvantage is loss of quality following certain editing processes.
This is especially noticeable when a raster image is scaled down, saved,
then later scaled back to its original or near original size. When reduced in
size pixels are shed, they are not replaced when scaled upwards, resulting
in pixel loss and an ungainly blocky pixelated image. Enlarging or over
sharpening may emphasise its blocky nature, especially noticeable around
fine detail or delicate shades of colour. Raster formats include psd, jpeg,
png, gif and many others.
Page 36