Duplicate Smart Object but Use Different Embedded Objects

[Julie B]

Hi,

I have a mockup with all the right shadows and masks, so I want to use it multiple times in the document in Photo.  But when I copy (or duplicate) the group, everytime I change the object in one "smart object" it changes all of the duplicated copies.  How can I unlink them or break the chain so each object is treated seperately?

[lepr]

Let us know if you still need advice after reading the help at https://affinity.help/designer/en-US.lproj/pages/Panels/symbolsPanel.html

[Julie B]

No, sorry I am in Photo, this was not created with symbols,  It was a PSD file I imported.  I have done this before, but I'm not sure how to seperate the embedded object.  I tried renaming the smart  object and it did not work.  IN Photoshop, this is done with "new smart layer from copy"

Edited July 4, 2020 by Julie B

[lepr]

No need to apologise, it was my mistake for not reading carefully

I don't have a PSD file containing smart objects at hand. I'll look for one, but someone else will probably solve your problem before I return.

[lepr]

I think you'll need to use a temporary document (step 4) to create an unsynchronised duplicate of the smart object:

1. open the PSD in Photo
2. select the Embedded Document (that Photo created from the PSD's smart object)
3. copy (cmd+c)
4. File > New From Clipboard
5. in the newly created document, select the Embedded Document
6. copy (cmd+c)
7. close the newly created document without saving
8. paste (cmd+v) into the initial document

 

Edited July 4, 2020 by anon2

[Julie B]

I don't think that worked.  There has to be an easier way!

[lepr]

9 minutes ago, Julie B said:

I don't think that worked.  There has to be an easier way!

I hope someone does post an easier way. Anyway, my instructions definitely work on my machine. In what way did that not work for you?

[mmchocolate]

I know this is a really old thread, but this is possible. I landed here after googling how to do this and figured it out. I'm using Affinity Designer though and haven't tried this in Photo, but it is hopefully the same in both. So, for anyone who lands here...

Click on the layer that you need to edit and need to be "unlinked." Then with the selection tool selected, in the top bar there should be a button that says Replace Document.

If you click on that, and replace the document that way rather than through copy paste, it breaks the link, so to speak. Though, you will have to do this every time you need to make this edit. Anyway, now you can edit each instance of the document without editing them all at once.