Edit Non-Destructively with Smart Objects in Photoshop | Day 13

▶ Download the sample images and PDF guide for this tutorial (free with a PHLEARN account): https://phlearn.com/tutorial/30-days-... Day 13 of 30 Days of Photoshop covers Smart Objects, the single biggest habit change you can make for a non-destructive workflow. Aaron shows exactly what breaks when you resize a normal layer versus a Smart Object, then does the same test with filters. Using four photos built into one collage-style composite, you'll see a regular layer lose real resolution after being shrunk and scaled back up, while the Smart Object version stays perfectly sharp. The same protection applies to filters: any filter applied to a Smart Object becomes an editable, undoable Smart Filter instead of a permanent change. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why Smart Objects matter for editing 01:06 Bringing four images into one document 03:00 Smart Object vs regular layer resize test 05:23 Grouping images with a layer mask 07:18 Rearranging and finishing the photo collage 09:18 Testing filters on smart vs normal layers 10:59 Editing Smart Filters non-destructively 12:51 Final collage and wrap-up THE STEPS 1. Bring multiple images into one document with the Move tool, then crop to the aspect ratio you want. 2. Right-click any layer and choose Convert to Smart Object before resizing it, so scaling down and back up doesn't lose resolution. 3. Compare a regular layer against a Smart Object after the same aggressive resize to see the quality difference for yourself. 4. Use a rectangular selection plus Group (Ctrl/Cmd+G) with a layer mask to reserve space for multiple images in a collage layout. 5. Apply a filter like Unsharp Mask to a Smart Object layer to turn it into an editable Smart Filter you can toggle or adjust later. 6. Alt/Option-drag a Smart Filter from one Smart Object layer onto another to copy the exact same effect across layers. 7. Rasterize a layer only when you're certain you won't need to resize or re-edit it again, since rasterizing removes Smart Object protection. Sign Up for 30 Days of Photoshop: https://phlearn.com/30-days-of-photos... Join the 30 Days of Photoshop Challenge and get a new free lesson delivered every day, along with sample images and bonus extras. ― PHLEARN PRO: every PRO tutorial, one membership ◦ 200+ in-depth courses and masterclasses on Photoshop, Lightroom and photography ◦ 1,000+ downloadable PSDs, RAW images and sample files to follow along ◦ Presets, Photoshop actions and LUTs included ◦ New PRO tutorials every month, streamed in 4K with captions and chapters ◦ Rated 4.93/5 by 3,900+ students ◦ Cancel anytime, 100% money-back guarantee ▶ https://phlearn.com/pro ――――――――――――――― Follow PHLEARN: Instagram:   / phlearn   Facebook:   / phlearn   Twitter:   / phlearn   #Photoshop #30DaysOfPhotoshop #PhotoshopTutorial