Shapes vs Smart Objects

[Sepiana]

Question:

Are shapes drawn with the shape tools Smart Objects?

Answer:

Shapes drawn with the shape tools are not really Smart Objects. They are Vector images, i.e., they consist of a set of directions telling your computer which geometric shape to draw. Smart Objects (as implied by their name) seem to understand what they are, what you are trying to do, and will behave accordingly. You will encounter Smart Objects under these circumstances.

- When you use the File>Place command. The file will be brought into Elements as a Smart Object.
- When you apply a new background from the Graphics/Content panel. The "smart" background automatically goes to the bottom of the layer stack and replaces the original background.
- When you use a frame from the Graphics/Content panel. Double-click on the frame and it will automatically appear in your project.
- When you drag a file from the Photo/Project Bin onto another file in the workspace (in some versions of Elements).

However, Shapes (Vector images) and Smart Objects do have these similarities:

- Both can be resized (enlarged, shrunk, etc.) without loss of quality, i.e., without resulting in pixelation.
- Both need to be simplified before you can apply filters or effects.
- Once simplified both are changed into Raster images, i.e., into a bunch of pixels (just like your photos).
- Once simplified both will have the same limitations as regular photos. For example, enlargement of more than 100% will result in loss of quality.　

NOTE

Adobe has been back and forth when it comes to dragging files from the Photo/Project Bin onto another file in the workspace. In some versions of Elements these files come in as Smart Objects but not in other versions. 

[michelb]

Also have a look at this other thread, I have bookmarked the answer by Andrei Doubrovski.
photoshopelementsandmore.com/thread/3290/smart-layers
I don't like the word 'smart' layers, I'd prefer to call them 'dynamic' layers ("calques dynamiques" in the French version). Normal layers are made of pixels, smart layers refer to another original picture file which is displayed temporarily in the size, position and angle you have chosen. Whatever change you do in size, position and angle does not change the original, only its (temporary) display. That original, by default in Elements, is stored as a copy within the .psd format. If your reopen your edited .psd file, you can still make changes from the original picture. In Photoshop or with Elements+, you can save the space of the copy by using a 'reference', a link to the original external file. Of course, if you reopen the .psd and the original has been moved or deleted, you are out of luck...

[Sepiana]

Michel, thanks for bringing up that thread! It really adds valuable information to this issue. Your opening statement pretty much says it all.

Jan 12, 2017 13:31:51 GMT michelb said:

Smart layers are nice when you are doing a collage. You can be confident that you won't lose quality when working with layers: resizing, rotating etc.