{"id":24394,"date":"2018-05-01T19:51:41","date_gmt":"2018-05-01T23:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.photoshopessentials.com\/?p=24394"},"modified":"2022-11-01T16:55:46","modified_gmt":"2022-11-01T20:55:46","slug":"how-to-merge-layers-as-smart-objects-in-photoshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.photoshopessentials.com\/newsite\/basics\/how-to-merge-layers-as-smart-objects-in-photoshop\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Merge Layers As Smart Objects In Photoshop"},"content":{"rendered":"<br \/>\n<section>\n<div class=\"video3\">\n<div class=\"video-container\">\n<iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/56w2EvOIq1E\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; encrypted-media\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"summary\">\n<p>Learn the best way to merge layers in Photoshop by merging them as editable smart objects, and how smart objects make it easy to work with merged layers non-destructively!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n.adslot-2 { display: inline-block; width:300px; float:right; margin: 6px 0px 12px 20px; }\n@media (max-width: 767px) { .adslot-2 { display: none; } }\n<\/style><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n<!-- 300x250 photoshop basics top responsive -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle adslot-2\"     \n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"7310008691\"\n     data-ad-format=\"rectangle\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n<div id=\"author\">Written by Steve Patterson.<\/div>\n<p>A popular way to work non-destructively in Photoshop is to merge our existing layers onto a new layer above them. By merging layers onto a separate layer, we can apply sharpening or make other changes to the entire image, without the need to flatten the image and throw all of our existing layers away.<\/p>\n<p>But even merging layers onto a new layer still isn't the best way to work. Any time we need to make changes to the underlying layers, we need to delete the merged copy, make our changes, and then merge the layers again. A better way is to merge our layers as a smart object. That way, if we need to make a change, we can simply edit the contents of the smart object, save the change, and then have our changes instantly appear in the document. And, since we're working with smart objects, any filters we apply will be added as smart filters, which means we can sharpen the image or make other changes non-destructively. Let's see how it works.<\/p>\n<p>I'll be using <a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/l\/dlXjD2w\" title=\"Get Photoshop CC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Photoshop CC<\/a> but everything is fully compatible with Photoshop CS6. Let's get started!<\/p>\n<p class=\"members-ad-top\"><a href=\"\/print-ready-pdfs\/\">Download all of our Photoshop tutorials as PDFs!<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">The problem with merging layers onto a new layer<\/h2>\n<p>To help us see the benefits of merging layers as smart objects, let's quickly look at the problem with merging them onto a new layer. Here's an effect I'm currently working on in Photoshop. I downloaded the <a href=\"https:\/\/prf.hn\/l\/BOxVGQe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">original image<\/a> from Adobe Stock:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/original-image.jpg\" alt=\"The image open in Photoshop\" width=\"704\" height=\"471\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The image open in Photoshop. Photo credit: Adobe Stock.<\/div>\n<p>If we look in the <strong>Layers panel<\/strong>, we see the <a href=\"\/photoshop-layers-learning-guide\/\" title=\"Learn all about layers in Photoshop\">layers<\/a> I've used to create the effect. I started by converting the original image on the bottom layer into a smart object, and then I blurred the area around the woman's face using Photoshop's Blur Gallery, which was applied as a smart filter. I converted the image to <a href=\"\/photo-editing\/converting-color-photos-to-black-and-white-in-photoshop\/\" title=\"View tutorial\">black and white<\/a> by adding a Black &amp; White adjustment layer. And finally, I changed her eye color by adding a Hue\/Saturation adjustment layer at the top:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/layers.png\" alt=\"The Layers panel showing the layers used to create the effect in Photoshop\" width=\"310\" height=\"394\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The layers used to create the effect.<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"\/basics\/how-to-create-smart-objects-in-photoshop\/\" title=\"Learn more\">Related: How to create smart objects in Photoshop<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>How to merge layers onto a new layer<\/h3>\n<p>To merge all of my existing layers onto a new layer above them, I'll make sure I have the top layer selected (the Hue\/Saturation adjustment layer). Then, on my keyboard, I'll use the secret trick for merging layers onto a new layer, which is by pressing <strong>Shift+Ctrl+Alt+E<\/strong> (Win) \/ <strong>Shift+Command+Option+E<\/strong> (Mac). This merges all three of my layers onto a new layer at the top:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/merge-layers-onto-new-layer-photoshop.png\" alt=\"How to merge layers onto a new layer in Photoshop\" width=\"310\" height=\"292\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">All three layers have been merged onto a fourth layer.<\/div>\n<h4>Applying sharpening to the merged layer<\/h4>\n<p>At this point, I can apply sharpening to the entire image by applying it directly to the merged layer. With the merged layer selected, I'll go up to the <strong>Filter<\/strong> menu, and then I'll choose <strong>Sharpen<\/strong>, and then <strong>Smart Sharpen<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/choose-smart-sharpen-photoshop.png\" alt=\"Choosing the Smart Sharpen command in Photoshop\" width=\"495\" height=\"156\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Going to Filter &gt; Sharpen &gt; Smart Sharpen.<\/div>\n<p>In the Smart Sharpen dialog box, I'll accept my current settings and I'll click OK:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/smart-sharpen-photoshop.jpg\" alt=\"Applying sharpening to the merged layer in Photoshop\" width=\"703\" height=\"377\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Applying sharpening to the merged layer.<\/div>\n<p>And here's the image with the sharpening applied:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/image-sharpened.jpg\" alt=\"The image after applying Smart Sharpen to the merged layer in Photoshop\" width=\"700\" height=\"470\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The image after applying Smart Sharpen to the merged layer.<\/div>\n<h3>The problem with merged layers<\/h3>\n<p>But here's the problem we run into. Merging the layers onto a new layer made it easy to sharpen the image. But what if I need to make a change at this point to the effect? Maybe I want to adjust the blur amount, or remove the Black &amp; White adjustment layer, or even change her eye color. To make any of these changes, I would first need to delete my merged layer. And since I've already applied sharpening to the layer, I would lose my sharpening effect. Once I've made my changes, I would then need to merge the layers again onto another new layer above them, and then reapply my sharpening. And, if I decided to make another change at that point, I'd again have to delete my merged layer and redo all of the steps.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">How to merge layers as a smart object<\/h2>\n<p>A better way to merge layers is to merge them as a <strong>smart object<\/strong>. Smart objects are entirely non-destructive, so we can make any changes we need, whenever we need, without having to delete any merged copies, and the changes will instantly appear in the document. And, when we sharpen the image, or apply any of Photoshop's other filters to the smart object, the filters will be added as smart filters, which means they remain fully editable!<\/p>\n<h3>Deleting the merged layer<\/h3>\n<p>To see how it works, I'll delete my merged layer by dragging it down onto the Trash Bin at the bottom of the Layers panel:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/delete-merged-layer-photoshop.png\" alt=\"Deleting the merged layer in the Layers panel in Photoshop\" width=\"310\" height=\"302\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Deleting the merged layer.<\/div>\n<h3>Merging layers as a smart object<\/h3>\n<p>To merge all three of my original layers into a smart object, I'll click on the top layer (the Hue\/Saturation adjustment layer) to select it. Then I'll press and hold my <strong>Shift<\/strong> key and I'll click on the bottom layer (the &quot;Photo&quot; layer). This selects all three layers at once:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/select-all-layers.png\" alt=\"Selecting all layers in the Layers panel\" width=\"310\" height=\"251\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Selecting all three layers.<\/div>\n<p>With all three layers selected, I'll click on the <strong>menu icon<\/strong> in the upper right corner of the Layers panel:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/layers-panel-menu-icon.png\" alt=\"Clicking the Layers panel menu icon in Photoshop\" width=\"319\" height=\"149\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking the Layers panel menu icon.<\/div>\n<p>And then I'll choose <strong>Convert to Smart Object<\/strong> from the menu:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/convert-to-smart-object-photoshop.png\" alt=\"Choosing the Convert to Smart Object command in Photoshop\" width=\"265\" height=\"144\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Choosing the &quot;Convert to Smart Object&quot; command.<\/div>\n<p>This merges all of my layers into a smart object. We know it's a smart object by the <strong>smart object icon<\/strong> in the lower right of the thumbnail:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/layers-merged-as-smart-object-photoshop.png\" alt=\"How to merge layers as smart objects in Photoshop\" width=\"310\" height=\"189\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">All three layers have been merged into a smart object.<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"sub\">Editing the merged smart object<\/h2>\n<p>To make changes to the effect, I can simply <a href=\"\/basics\/how-to-edit-and-replace-smart-object-contents-in-photoshop\/\" title=\"Learn more\">edit the smart object<\/a> by double-clicking on its <strong>thumbnail<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/edit-smart-object-photoshop.png\" alt=\"Double-clicking on the thumbnail to edit the smart object in Photoshop\" width=\"310\" height=\"201\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Double-clicking on the smart object thumbnail.<\/div>\n<p>This opens the contents of the smart object in a separate document:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/smart-object-contents-photoshop.jpg\" alt=\"The smart object contents open in a separate document in Photoshop\" width=\"704\" height=\"394\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The smart object opens in its own document.<\/div>\n<p>If we look in the Layers panel, we see all of my original layers still intact:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/smart-object-layers.png\" alt=\"The Layers panel in Photoshop showing the layers inside the smart object\" width=\"312\" height=\"290\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">None of the original layers have been lost.<\/div>\n<h3>Restoring the color in the image<\/h3>\n<p>I'll turn off the Black &amp; White adjustment layer by clicking its <strong>visibility icon<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/adjustment-layer-visibility-icon.png\" alt=\"Turning off the Black &amp; White adjustment layer in the smart object\" width=\"325\" height=\"215\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking the Black &amp; White adjustment layer's visibility icon.<\/div>\n<p>This restores the original color in the image:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/image-restore-original-color.jpg\" alt=\"The original color in the image has been restored\" width=\"704\" height=\"472\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Turning off the adjustment layer restored the original color.<\/div>\n<h3>Changing the eye color<\/h3>\n<p>Then, back in the Layers panel, I'll select the Hue\/Saturation adjustment layer:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/select-hue-saturation-adjustment-layer.png\" alt=\"Selecting the Hue\/Saturation adjustment layer in the smart object\" width=\"312\" height=\"184\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Clicking the Hue\/Saturation adjustment layer to select it.<\/div>\n<p>And in the <strong>Properties panel<\/strong>, I'll <a href=\"\/photo-editing\/eye-color\/\">change her eye color<\/a> from blue to green by dragging the <strong>Hue<\/strong> slider to the left:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/properties-panel-hue-slider.jpg\" alt=\"Changing the eye color in the smart object\" width=\"305\" height=\"309\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Changing the eye color with the Hue slider.<\/div>\n<p>And here's the result with the new eye color:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/change-eye-color-smart-object.jpg\" alt=\"The effect after changing the eye color in the smart object\" width=\"700\" height=\"470\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The effect after changing the eye color.<\/div>\n<h3>Saving the changes and updating the smart object<\/h3>\n<p>To have our changes appear in the main document, we need to save and close the smart object document. To save it, I'll go up to the <strong>File<\/strong> menu and choose <strong>Save<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/file-save-photoshop.png\" alt=\"Saving the smart object document in Photoshop\" width=\"290\" height=\"128\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Going to File &gt; Save.<\/div>\n<p>And then to close the smart object, I'll go back up to the <strong>File<\/strong> menu and I'll choose <strong>Close<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/file-close-photoshop.png\" alt=\"Closing the smart object document in Photoshop\" width=\"290\" height=\"115\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Going to File &gt; Close.<\/div>\n<p>Back in the main document, the smart object instantly updates with our changes. And because we merged the layers as a smart object, there's no need to merge them again at this point if I want to apply sharpening. I can simply apply the sharpening directly to the smart object:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/smart-object-update.jpg\" alt=\"The smart object updates with the changes.\" width=\"704\" height=\"394\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The smart object updates with the changes.<\/div>\n<h3>Sharpening the smart object<\/h3>\n<p>To sharpen the image, I'll do the same thing I did before by going up to the <strong>Filter<\/strong> menu, choosing <strong>Sharpen<\/strong>, and then choosing <strong>Smart Sharpen<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/choose-smart-sharpen-photoshop.png\" alt=\"Choosing the Smart Sharpen command in Photoshop\" width=\"495\" height=\"156\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Going again to Filter &gt; Sharpen &gt; Smart Sharpen.<\/div>\n<p>In the Smart Sharpen dialog box, I'll use the same settings and I'll click OK:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/smart-sharpen-photoshop.jpg\" alt=\"Applying sharpening to the smart object in Photoshop\" width=\"703\" height=\"377\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Applying sharpening to the smart object.<\/div>\n<p>Photoshop applies the sharpening to the effect, just as did when we were using a merged copy of the layers:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/merged-smart-object-sharpen.jpg\" alt=\"The image after applying the Smart Sharpen filter to the smart object in Photoshop\" width=\"700\" height=\"392\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The image after applying Smart Sharpen to the smart object.<\/div>\n<h4>Applying the sharpening as a smart filter<\/h4>\n<p>But this time, because the sharpening filter was used on a smart object, Photoshop converted it into a <strong>smart filter<\/strong>, which we see in the Layers panel:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/smart-filter.png\" alt=\"Applying Smart Sharpen to a smart object converted it to a smart filter in Photoshop\" width=\"275\" height=\"217\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Photoshop converted Smart Sharpen into a smart filter.<\/div>\n<p>Just like smart objects, <a href=\"\/basics\/how-to-use-smart-filters-in-photoshop\/\" title=\"Learn more\">smart filters<\/a> are non-destructive. If you need to edit the sharpening amount, you can just double-click on the name \"Smart Sharpen\" to reopen its dialog box and make your changes. And, because the sharpening is being applied directly to the smart object itself, not to the layers inside it, it will remain applied even if you reopen the smart object and make further changes. <\/p>\n<p>I'll reopen my smart object by double-clicking once again on its thumbnail:<\/p>\n<p>\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/reopen-smart-object.png\" alt=\"Reopening the smart object to edit its contents in Photoshop\" width=\"275\" height=\"177\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Reopening the smart object.<\/div>\n<p>This again reopens the contents, with all of my layers, in the separate document:<\/p>\n<p>\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/smart-object-contents-document.jpg\" alt=\"The smart object reopens in a separate document\" width=\"704\" height=\"394\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The smart object reopens.<\/div>\n<p>I'll turn the Black &amp; White adjustment layer back on by clicking once again on its <strong>visibility icon<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/adjustment-layer-visibility-icon.png\" alt=\"Turning on the Black &amp; White adjustment layer in the smart object\" width=\"325\" height=\"215\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Turning the Black &amp; White adjustment layer back on in the Layers panel.<\/div>\n<p>This converts the image back to black and white:<\/p>\n<p>\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/image-converted-black-and-white.jpg\" alt=\"The image in the smart object is back to black and white\" width=\"704\" height=\"394\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The image is back to black and white.<\/div>\n<h4>Saving the new changes<\/h4>\n<p>Again I'll save my change by going up to the <strong>File<\/strong> menu and choosing <strong>Save<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/file-save-photoshop.png\" alt=\"Saving the smart object document in Photoshop\" width=\"290\" height=\"128\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Going to File &gt; Save.<\/div>\n<p>And then I'll close the smart object by going back to the <strong>File<\/strong> menu and choosing <strong>Close<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>  <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/file-close-photoshop.png\" alt=\"Closing the smart object document in Photoshop\" width=\"290\" height=\"115\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">Going to File &gt; Close.<\/div>\n<p>Back in the main document, the smart object once again updates with my latest change:<\/p>\n<p>\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/smart-object-effect-final-result.jpg\" alt=\"The smart object again updates in the main document in Photoshop\" width=\"704\" height=\"394\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The smart object again updates.<\/div>\n<p>And if we look in the Layers panel, we see that there's no need to re-sharpen the image because the Smart Sharpen smart filter is still being applied:<\/p>\n<p>\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pe-images.s3.amazonaws.com\/basics\/cc\/smart-objects\/merge-layers\/smart-sharpen-still-applied.png\" alt=\"The Smart Sharpen smart filter remains even after editing the smart object's contents in Photoshop\" width=\"287\" height=\"173\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-desc\">The sharpening filter remain even after editing the smart object.<\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n.ads-bottom { width:300px; padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px; }\n<\/style><div align=\"center\"><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\n<!-- 300x250 page bottom responsive -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle ads-bottom\"\n     style=\"display:block\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6601556224092982\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"2879809098\"\n     data-ad-format=\"rectangle\"\n\t data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/div>\n<p>And there we have it! That's how, and why, to merge layers as smart objects in Photoshop! For more on smart objects, check out our tutorials on how to <a href=\"\/basics\/how-to-create-smart-objects-in-photoshop\/\" title=\"View tutorial\">create smart objects<\/a>, how to <a href=\"\/basics\/how-to-edit-and-replace-smart-object-contents-in-photoshop\/\" title=\"Learn more\">edit smart objects<\/a>,  how to <a href=\"\/basics\/scale-resize-images-smart-objects-photoshop\/\" title=\"View tutorial\">scale and resize images<\/a> without losing quality, and even how to <a href=\"\/basics\/transform-type-smart-objects\/\" title=\"Learn more\">warp and distort text<\/a> using smart objects! And don't forget, all of our Photoshop tutorials are available to <a href=\"\/print-ready-pdfs\/\" title=\"Learn more\">download as PDFs<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p><div class=\"members-ad\"><a href=\"\/print-ready-pdfs\/\">Get all of our Photoshop tutorials as PDFs!<\/a> Download them today!<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn the best way to merge layers in Photoshop by merging them as editable smart objects, and how smart objects let us work with merged layers non-destructively!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24397,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24394","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basics"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - 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