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Photoshop  Home Photoshop Photoshop Basics Linking Smart Objects with Layer Mask
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Linking Smart Objects with Layer Mask

Author: FotoFects More by this author

Added: July 14, 2005 Rating:  Average Rating: 3.46 Votes: 54 Position: 3731 of 13742Average Rating: 3.46 Votes: 54 Position: 3731 of 13742Average Rating: 3.46 Votes: 54 Position: 3731 of 13742Average Rating: 3.46 Votes: 54 Position: 3731 of 13742Average Rating: 3.46 Votes: 54 Position: 3731 of 13742 Level: All levels Software:  Photoshop

Photoshop CS2 does not allow Smart Objects to be linked with a layer mask but that doesn't mean it's impossible. Learn this quick and easy trick to link Smart Objects with a layer mask.

1

Here is the image I will be working with.

2

In my image, there's a photo as the background and a smart object as the top layer. However, when I add a layer mask to the smart object, I cannot link it. The link button is grayed out and when I try to click between the layer thumbnail and the layer mask thumbnail, it does nothing.

Without being able to link the smart object with the layer mask, I would have to move both layers seperatly to move the smart object around with its layer mask.

3

Here's a way around this: Create a new folder in the layers window (Window> Layers) and add a layer mask to the folder.

4

Select the smart object layer and drag it to the layer above to move the smart object inside the folder.

5

Linking Smart Objects with Layer Mask Tutorial: Final Result
To edit the layer mask of the smart object, edit the folder's layer mask instead.

6

Linking Smart Objects with Layer Mask Tutorial: Final Result
You may also move and transform the smart object using the folder instead.


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Read/Add comments to "Linking Smart Objects with Layer Mask"

Reader's comments
comments  leoberlini October 06, 2008 says:
Linking Smart Objects with Layer Mask
Hi, thank you for letting me know that, verz helpful. Can zou also tell me how it is possible to keep the layer effects (Bending Options) for the layer mask working? thank you Very Happy