How To Resize Placed Image In Photoshop

When you drag and drop an image into Photoshop you'll notice that it is changed into a Smart Object. This means that the image can be made bigger and smaller with no loss to its quality. (Doing this to a non Smart Object will lead to potential pixelation)

The size in which this Smart object is placed is governed by a single check box.

Photoshop Preferences

The checkbox can be found in the Photoshop Preferences;

Mac : Photoshop > Preferences > General
PC : Edit > Preferences > General

General Preferences

Here theres a couple of check boxes that will effect our drag and drop images.

1 : This checkbox controls if the image is resized;

With the checkbox unchecked the image comes in at its saved dimensions. I find this helpful when I want to add textures and like them to start 100% of their pixel size.

With the checkbox selected Photoshop resizes the image. This is helpful if you are making a composite. In this example Photoshop has placed the image to its largest possible while being no bigger than the original image. This isn't always the case and may be smaller sometimes.

Extra Credit :

Hidden Handles : If the Smart Object is too big and you can't see the handles press Ctl+0 (PC) / Cmd+0 (Mac). This will zoom out so the handles are visible.
Transform from the middle : The Smart Object will be placed dead centre, to keep it there while you transform press Alt (PC) / Option (Mac) key to transform from the middle. (Shift keeps it in ratio too)

2 : This checkbox controls if the image is placed as a Smart Object.

Talking to different camera clubs I understand that many aren't comfortable with Smart Objects so this may be an option for them. I sing the praises of Smart Objects and would encourage Photoshop users to embrace them, theyre pretty awesome!

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Eric's background in video editing with Adobe Premier led to his interest, and then obsession, with Photoshop. Starting TipSquirrel.com as a hobby he is proud to have gathered together and be a part of The Photoshop Nuts.

Known as only "TipSquirrel" for two years, Eric 'went public' when he was a finalist in The Next Adobe Photoshop Evangelist competition. He's also been a finalist in Deke's Techniques Photoshop Challenge.

After teaching in a college and then apprenticeships of Photography, Web Creation, Marketing, Content Production and Coding, Eric is now a full time freelance content creator and marketeer, creating social, advertising and educational assets for a range of different companies.

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But how do you crop a smart object?
Are there other tools that will not work with a smart object? Content aware?

Reply to roy rubeli

6 years ago

You simply use the crop tool to crop. Choose the nondestructive action. If you need to, you can right click and rasterize the lawyer to stop using the smart object

Resizing image may sound really simple but most of the times, it's not. For example, Twitter head covers is usually 1500×500 but when you start resizing or cropping the image, it starts to confuse you. Is there any solution for this?

But how do you crop a smart object?
Are there other tools that will not work with a smart object? Content aware?

Reply to roy rubeli

2 years ago

You simply use the crop tool to crop. Choose the nondestructive action. If you need to, you can right click and rasterize the lawyer to stop using the smart object

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