6 Replies Latest reply: Jan 29, 2014 12:56 PM by Trevor.Dennis RSS

    How do i adjust layers below a Shadows/Highlights smart object layer

    Carlo UK Community Member

      Hi

      In Photoshop CC I have created a number of layers for smart tonal adjustments.

      I then created a Smart object Shadow/Highlight layer base upon a copy of all layers below.

      However my layers below can no longer be altered as the Shadow/Highl;ight layer is a copy of them.

       

      Is there away to allow me to stack the layers so that i can still make adjustments to my layers below after have created a Shadow/Highlight layer.

       

      Seems impossible.

        • 1. Re: How do i adjust layers below a Shadows/Highlights smart object layer
          Trevor.Dennis Community Member

          Hi Carlo

           

          If your SO is at the top of the stack, and fills the canvas, then you won't be able to see the contents of layers lower in the stack.  That's how Photoshop works.

           

          But if you double click the SO layer icon, it will open the SO in another document window allowing you to edit it.  Ctrl (Cmd) s to save when you have finished the edit, and the original will be updated.

           

          If you want to adjust the layers lower in the stack, then you will have o turn off the SO layer to make the lower layers visible.

           

          Does that make sense, or am I not understanding you correctly?

          • 2. Re: How do i adjust layers below a Shadows/Highlights smart object layer
            Carlo UK Community Member

            Thanks for Reply Trevor

            Maybe I have not explained it well enough.

            My Problem is that I had to create a Layer which was the sum of all those below (for the Shadows/highlight Layer)

            Hence adjusting the layers below has no effect now because they are rolled up in the Highlights/Shadows layer.

             

            How can I have a Smart object Shadows/Highlights layer and still be able to edit my layers below

             

            Ta

            • 3. Re: How do i adjust layers below a Shadows/Highlights smart object layer
              Trevor.Dennis Community Member

              Yes, that's exactly the question I answered.  Honest Injun.

              • 4. Re: How do i adjust layers below a Shadows/Highlights smart object layer
                Carlo UK Community Member

                I will try tonight.

                But i believe hiding the Shadows/Highlights layer then adjusting the layers below is fruitless because once you reveal the top Shadows/Highlights layer again all those adjustments below are hidden.

                 

                The top layer was created from a new copy of all images below making them redundant.

                 

                Carlo

                • 5. Re: How do i adjust layers below a Shadows/Highlights smart object layer
                  Carlo UK Community Member

                  I have still not found how to do this any one with any ideas please let me know.  I am beggining to think it cant be done.

                  A way around is perhaps to only do Shadows/highlights from within Camera Raw or make the shadows/highlights the first layer

                  • 6. Re: How do i adjust layers below a Shadows/Highlights smart object layer
                    Trevor.Dennis Community Member

                    You can stack SOs pretty much for ever.  Just right click the SO with the Shadow/Highlight adjustment, and turn it into a Smart Object.  Then you can add a layer mask to make parts of the underlying layers visible.  But you mainly need to manage your workflow to avoid this situation, or use the SO as a new Background Layer, and carry on working from there.   That is how I tend to work.

                     

                    Incidentally, as you have CC, do consider using Camera RAW as a filter, on a SO layer, in preference to Shadow/Highlight.  S/H was always portrayed as Photoshop magic, but in actual fact it produces nasty artefacts and makes an image look unreal and plastic.  When the Camera RAW engine was updated with the Process Version 2012 (PV2012) with version 7.#, it took a big step forward, and allowed drastic use of the sliders without the nasty artefacts this would have cause with earlier versions.  AFAIK S/H was not updated, and IMO should have a little skull and crossbones next to it in the Image > Adjust menu.  Or better still, removed altogether.