Text -> Smart Object (the Better Way)

Welcome back to Art Piece 👋

Another week, another tip, and another free Photoshop tool you can use to improve and inspire your digital creations.

Let’s dive in 🙌

^{Today’s Tip}
A Better Way to Convert Text into a Smart Object

Insight from Photoshop Essentials

Smart objects are a game-changer, especially when working with text. 

Using smart objects allows designers to apply non-destructive filters and maintain high-quality text that's editable despite effects.

Typically, converting a type layer to a smart object involves right-clicking (Windows) or Control-clicking (Mac) on the layer and selecting "Convert to Smart Object." This method is quick but can be limiting.

(For instance, if you later decide to change the text, it might not fit the smart object's canvas because it is cropped to the text's exact dimensions).

Here’s a better approach involving an additional background layer:

1. Start with your type layer positioned above the background layer in your document.

2. Click on the background layer to select it, then duplicate it using Ctrl+J (Windows) or Command+J (Mac). Ensure the duplicated layer is positioned above the original background layer.

3. Select both the type layer and the background copy. Right-click or Control-click and choose to convert these combined layers to a smart object.

4. Open the smart object and remove the background copy layer, leaving your text against a transparent backdrop and maintaining the full original canvas size.
   

This method allows you to apply any effects, such as Gaussian Blur, and edit the text afterward without any portion getting clipped. The full canvas size in the smart object ensures that all text edits fit perfectly.

Ready to give it a shot?

Take advantage of today’s free tool and give your text some summer flair 👇

^{Today’s Free Tool}
Summer Text Effects

Inspired by the May sunshine? So is today’s freebie ☀️

This week, we’re getting you free access to a couple of templates from the Sizzling Summer Text Effects Bundle.

Create your summer-inspired social media posts, YouTube thumbnails, movie posters, and more.

It’s fast, it’s easy, and (best of all) it’s free.

That’s all for this week!

Tune in again next Monday for another set of free tips and tools.