PhotoshopForums.com Home
Navigate Contact FAQ Search Members
Are "cloned" layers possible, that update with the
Post new topic   Reply to topic    PhotoshopForums.com Forum Index -> Manipulation
 See a User Guidelines violation? Please contact us.
Author Message

glennpow

Joined: 31 Dec 2009
Posts: 4



PostPosted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:50 am    Post subject: Are "cloned" layers possible, that update with the Reply with quote

I'm not sure if this is possible in Photoshop (CS3), but it would be very useful:
To have "cloned" layers (not relating to the clone tool, mind you) which you can move around and maybe even alter the scale, but they share their content with an original layer. When this original layer is modified, all the cloned layers update as well.
For instance so that you can have an array of objects, and be able to make slight modifications which affect every one of them.

Maybe I just need to be using a different app for page-layout or something, but I just thought I'd ask.
View user's profile Send private message

Htown

Joined: 14 Apr 2005
Posts: 84



PostPosted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Personally I am not really following you here. Can you give a better example?

thanks,
Houston

_________________
www.splitlightdesigns.com
"bringing your ideas to light"
View user's profile Send private message

glennpow

Joined: 31 Dec 2009
Posts: 4



PostPosted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 8:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Houston,
An example might be if you have a round, red button that you want to replicate 9 times (giving you 10 buttons). If you simply use Duplicate Layer..., this will make the buttons. However, if at a later point you decide that the buttons should be green, and have a little stripe on each of them, then you need to go through each of the layers and change them one by one. (tedious!)
It would be nice if Photoshop has a way to make "cloned" layers meaning that any pixel modification to one of them affects the entire lot. This may just be wishful thinking, but it would be oh so useful.
View user's profile Send private message

darklite

Joined: 19 Dec 2009
Posts: 277
Location: Oregon, U.S.
PS Version: cs
OS: windows 7

PostPosted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The only thing I can think of would be to create an action that dupes the layer as many times as you like. For example, you could set an action that will duplicate the layer 10 times. Then, whenever you do anything to a layer-on any project, if you click that action, it will copy that layer 10 times.
_________________
Jeff

http://www.autumnwindstudios.com
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website

glennpow

Joined: 31 Dec 2009
Posts: 4



PostPosted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

darklite wrote:
The only thing I can think of would be to create an action that dupes the layer as many times as you like. For example, you could set an action that will duplicate the layer 10 times. Then, whenever you do anything to a layer-on any project, if you click that action, it will copy that layer 10 times.


Thanks Jeff, I'll try that. It's not the optimal solution, but it could ease a lot of the burden.
View user's profile Send private message

darklite

Joined: 19 Dec 2009
Posts: 277
Location: Oregon, U.S.
PS Version: cs
OS: windows 7

PostPosted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 10:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You're right, it's by far not the optimal solution, but I can't think of another PS way right now. However, I believe it can be done in Image Ready if that helps.
_________________
Jeff

http://www.autumnwindstudios.com
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website

Htown

Joined: 14 Apr 2005
Posts: 84



PostPosted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 11:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The answer for sure is smart objects. Turn the layer into a smart object and when you change the master object, they all should change .
_________________
www.splitlightdesigns.com
"bringing your ideas to light"
View user's profile Send private message

glennpow

Joined: 31 Dec 2009
Posts: 4



PostPosted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 11:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Htown wrote:
The answer for sure is smart objects. Turn the layer into a smart object and when you change the master object, they all should change .


Houston, that is exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you.
God save us all when programmers like me start trying to be graphic designers.
cheers
View user's profile Send private message

Patrick
Administrator
Administrator

Joined: 14 Feb 2003
Posts: 11945
Location: Harbinger, NC, U.S.A.


PostPosted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 1:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good job, Htown. Thanks darklite, as well. :)

Welcome aboard, glennpow. :)

_________________
Patrick O'Keefe - PhotoshopForums.com Administrator
Have a suggestion or a bit of feedback relating to PhotoshopForums.com? Please contact me!
User Guidelines
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    PhotoshopForums.com Forum Index -> Manipulation All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum


Contact - User Guidelines >

Copyright © 2003-2016. PhotoshopForums.com, iFroggy Network. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group. phpBB SEO. Privacy Policy.
We are in no way affiliated with Adobe. Photoshop, Adobe and related marks are registered trademarks of Adobe.
PhotoshopForums.com