How to make a Smart Object editable in Photoshop: Option 1 is to right-click the Smart Object layer and click “Rasterize Layer”. This converts it into a layer of pixels that can now be edited. This technically solves the problem, but it may create a new problem for you — because this removes the Smart Object functionality from that layer, meaning you can no longer replace its contents to create mockups.

If your ultimate goal here is to change the appearance of the mockup scene while still being able to use the Smart Object to make mockups, one solution is to add a layer on top of the Smart Object, and apply your desired changes to that new layer. Also note that you can apply Effects to Smart Object layers without rasterizing them, and you can also create Adjustment Layers whose changes will only apply to the Smart Object layer if you link them via a Clipping Mask. If you’re trying to modify the item inside of the Smart Object, you can double-click the Smart Object layer to open it in a new tab. Make your changes, then save this tab, to update the main document.

Once everything looks good, if you’re using this document to create a large number of mockup images, consider automating that process using the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin. This Photoshop plugin will save you tons of time by generating all your mockups in bulk.

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What is a mockup in graphic design? A mockup refers to a template where you can easily insert different images or design assets. Generally there’s one core element that’s the focal point, and this can just be swapped out to showcase what it would look like with a different image as part of the mockup scene. The core advantage of using mockups is that you can apply specific transformations to a large number of images without needing to change the images themselves.

For example, imagine a canvas art mockup template that’s used to showcase artwork images. This mockup might have a texture layer on top, a shadow layer on bottom, and it might be angled as if we’re viewing it from the side. Painstakingly applying these exact transformations to all of your artwork images would take forever. You can instead just use a mockup template where the scene is already set up like this for you. Then, just find the layer where your design asset goes — and simply replace the contents with your desired image.

If you’re creating lots of mockups as part of your workflow, you can automate that process using the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin for Photoshop. You can use this plugin to iterate through multiple different mockup templates, if needed — allowing you to automate your entire workflow with one single button click.

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Best clothing mockup websites: Number one is the Etsy Market. Here you’ll find a gigantic, affordable selection in a wide variety of styles. For clothing mockups specifically, this website is a great choice.

Number two, Creative Market. This website has a massive collection as well, and their mockups tend to be fairly high-quality. Their price points, however, are sometimes on the higher end.

Option three is Creative Fabrica, which overall is one of the cheapest websites for clothing mockups. The selection size isn’t the biggest, but if your only concern is low prices, you can find some good ones here.

Most mockups on these websites are PSD filetypes, which makes them compatible with the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin for Photoshop. This plugin allows you to save tons of time on your workflow by automating the creation of your mockup images. Check it out on the Adobe marketplace.

For non-Photoshop users, PlaceIt.net has a big selection of clothing mockups that can be used directly on their website — but it is a subscription-based website, which might not make sense if you only plan on using a few basic mockups.

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How to fix the “Smart Object is not directly editable” error: Option 1 is to right-click the Smart Object layer and click “Rasterize Layer”. This converts it into a layer of pixels that can now be edited. This technically solves the problem, but it may create a new problem for you — because this removes the Smart Object functionality from that layer, meaning you can no longer replace its contents to create mockups.

If your ultimate goal here is to change the appearance of the mockup scene while still being able to use the Smart Object to make mockups, one solution is to add a layer on top of the Smart Object, and apply your desired changes to that new layer. Also note that you can apply Effects to Smart Object layers without rasterizing them, and you can also create Adjustment Layers whose changes will only apply to the Smart Object layer if you link them via a Clipping Mask. If you’re trying to modify the item inside of the Smart Object, you can double-click the Smart Object layer to open it in a new tab. Make your changes, then save this tab, to update the main document.

Once everything looks good, if you’re using this document to create a large number of mockup images, consider automating that process using the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin. This Photoshop plugin will save you tons of time by generating all your mockups in bulk.

The post How to Fix ‘Smart Object is Not Directly Editable’ Photoshop Error appeared first on You Should Automate That.

Best advertising mockup websites: Number one, Creative Market. They’ve got a great collection of high-quality, realistic advertising mockups to choose from. Their search results tend to be very good at giving you what you ask for, as well.

Number two, Creative Fabrica. Their mockups won’t always blow you away with their quality or realism, but you can find some extremely cheap ones on here.

Number three is the Etsy Market, where you can find a huge selection in a wide variety of styles. While the price points vary here, you can find some surprisingly affordable ones that look great.

Most mockups on these websites are PSD filetypes, which makes them compatible with the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin for Photoshop. This plugin allows you to save tons of time on your workflow by automating the creation of your mockup images. Check it out on the Adobe marketplace.

For those not using Photoshop, PlaceIt.net offers an extensive array of advertising mockups that can be used directly on their website — although it does require paying for a monthly subscription, which may not be cost-effective if you only need to use a few mockup templates.

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How to edit a Smart Object in Photoshop: If you want to edit the contents of a Smart Object, you can do this manually, one at a time, or you can automate this process. To do this manually, double-click the Smart Object layer, which will open it up in a new tab. You can then place your desired image at the top of the layer stack, size and position it to your liking, then save this tab to update the Smart Object in the main document. Another technique is to simply right-click the Smart Object, click Replace Contents, then select your desired image.

If you’re performing a large number of Smart Object replacements—for example, when creating mockup images—you can save tons of time by automating this process using the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin. Simply specify the Photoshop Document To Use, the input folder (which contains your images), and the output folder to save to. Then, just click ‘Run’ and it will automate the creation of all your required mockups. If needed, you can save operations to run later, and you can also chain together as many operations as you need to automate your entire workflow with one single button click.

If your goal is to edit the Smart Object itself, certain transformations will be allowed while this layer is selected, but other changes require that you rasterize the layer first. However by rasterizing the layer, you will no longer be able to replace its contents to create mockups. If your ultimate goal here is to change the appearance of the mockup scene while still being able to use the Smart Object to make mockups, one solution is to add a layer on top of the Smart Object, and apply your desired changes to that new layer. Also note that you can apply Effects to Smart Object layers without rasterizing them, and you can also create Adjustment Layers whose changes will only apply to the Smart Object layer if you link them via a Clipping Mask.

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Best mockup websites: Number one, Creative Market. This website has an enormous collection, and their mockups tend to have a high-quality, professional appearance. If you’re looking for sleek, modern, minimal mockups, this website is an excellent resource—although their prices can be a little on the high side.

Number two, the Etsy Market. Here you’ll find a gigantic collection at an affordable price point. The Etsy Market is a solid choice if you need realistic mockups that won’t empty your bank account. Also note that the vast majority of the mockups on these websites are compatible with the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin for Photoshop. As long as the mockups you download are PSD filetypes, you’ll be able to easily automate the bulk-creation of your mockups using this Photoshop Plugin.

Number three, Envato Elements. This website follows a subscription pricing model, but it also gives you access to a huge collection of stock video assets, sound effects, and more. They have tons of mockups, but this website is more of a one-stop resource that comprehensively covers your graphic design and content-creation needs.

If you’re not a Photoshop user, your best bet for mockups is going to be PlaceIt.net. Here you generate mockups on the website itself, and their wide selection makes it easy to find what you need. Their pricing is subscription based, however, which may not be optimal if you only need a small number of mockups.

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What is a Smart Object in Photoshop? A Smart Object is a layer in Photoshop that acts as a container whose contents you can replace. Smart Objects are often used for mockup images, where perhaps you want to apply a standard set of effects and transformations to your images to make them look like part of a realistic scene. Instead of painstakingly modifying all of your images to match each and every mockup scene, you can instead just drop them inside of a Smart Object which already has the transformations applied to it.

To replace a Smart Object, simply right-click the layer, click Replace Contents, then select your desired image. If you’re using Smart Objects to generate a large number of mockup images, instead of spending hours of time doing this manually, you can automate this process using the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin. Simply specify the Photoshop Document To Use, the input folder (which contains your images), and the output folder to save to. Then, just click ‘Run’, and it will automate the creation of all your required mockups.

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How to edit mockups in Photoshop: Step one is to find the Smart Object layer, which is often sandwiched between a texture layer on top and a background layer on bottom. You can edit this layer manually, to create your mockups one at a time, or you can automate this process to generate all your mockups in bulk. To do this manually, you can double-click the Smart Object layer which will open it in a new tab. Then, add your image to the top of the layer stack, size and position it to your liking, and save this tab to update the PSD mockup template. The other manual option is to right click the Smart Object, click Replace Contents, and select your desired image.

To automate this process, you can use the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin for Photoshop. Once installed, simply select the Photoshop Document To Use, the Input Folder (which contains your images), and the Output Folder you’d like to save to. Then, just click run, and it will automate the process of creating all your mockups for you. You can also save operations to run later, and you can even chain operations together — allowing you to iterate through as many mockup templates as you need to automate your entire workflow with one single button click.

Mockups in Photoshop can be edited further by making custom changes to specific layers of the scene. Perhaps you’d like to reduce the transparency of a texture layer; to do that, you can drop the opacity to your desired level. Some mockup templates allow you to change the background color, or hide certain items entirely. To find what elements you can customize, scroll through the layer stack, check the names of each item, and toggle the visibility to see what changes it makes in the mockup scene.

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Best apparel mockup websites: Number one is the Etsy Market. Here you’ll find an enormous, affordable selection in a wide variety of styles. For apparel mockups specifically, this website is a goldmine.

Number two, Creative Market. This website has a huge collection as well, and their mockups tend to be fairly high-quality. Their price points, however, are often a little on the higher end.

Option three is Creative Fabrica, which overall is one of the cheapest options. Their selection size isn’t amazing, and the quality of some of their mockups won’t exactly drop your jaw, but if you’re looking for the lowest-priced mockups, you’re likely to find them here.

Most mockups on these websites are PSD templates, which makes them compatible with the Batch-Replace Smart Objects plugin for Photoshop. This plugin allows you to easily automate the creation of all your required mockup images.

If you’re not a Photoshop user, PlaceIt.net has tons of apparel mockups that can be used directly on their website — but it does require that you sign up for a monthly subscription, which may not make financial sense if you only need a few basic mockup templates.

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