Converting a linked Smart Object to an embedded Smart Object

You can embed a linked Smart Object to make it easy to save without needing to keep the source file. To embed a linked Smart Object, do any of the following:

  • Right-click on the layer name (not the thumbnail) of the linked Smart Object layer and choose Embed Linked;

Smart Objects right-click here

  • Navigate to Layer > Smart Objects > Embed Linked;
  • In the Properties panel for the Smart Object, click Embed. If you do not see the Properties panel, navigate to Window > Properties and ensure it is ticked.

Smart Objects Embed Linked properties panel

Converting an embedded Smart Object to a Linked Smart Object

In the same way as a linked Smart Object can be converted to an embedded Smart Object, the opposite is also possible. To convert an embedded Smart Object to a Linked Smart Object, do any of the following:

  • Right-click on the layer name (not the thumbnail) of the embedded Smart Object layer and choose Convert to Linked;
  • Navigate to Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Linked;Smart Object layers Convert to Linked right-click
  • In the Properties panel for the Smart Object, click Convert to Linked. If you do not see the Properties panel, navigate to Window > Properties and ensure it is ticked;Smart Object layers Convert to Linked properties panel
  • In the Explorer/Finder window, select the file you want to link to and click Save.