Why does Affinity Photo have a "place" option?

[Jaffa]

I know what a smart object is and why, for instance, "Place" is used in Photoshop Elements.   However, as I understand it, Affinity Photo images are all smart objects, therefore I am confused as to why it is necessary to have a "Place" option in the menu?  There must be a use for it, so I am keen to understand what it is.

[Fixx]

Well, of course drag&drop works as well, but some people like to place images via menu command.

[Jaffa]

...  or just "Open" instead, Fixx?  Why do people "like" to place images, why a seemingly unnecessary step?

[lepr]

On 2/7/2019 at 8:21 AM, Jaffa said:

...  or just "Open" instead, Fixx?  Why do people "like" to place images, why a seemingly unnecessary step?

.

[R C-R]

FWIW, The Place command (or Drag & Drop) 'places' different things on the canvas depending on if the item is an Affinity format file, a "flat" single layer raster image file, a mixed content multi-layer capable file type like SVG or EPS, etc. Only flat raster image files are imported as "(Image)" layers; everything else is (I think) imported as an "(Embedded document)" layer. Editing the content of an embedded document layer is done in a separate workspace window or tab titled "<Embedded>" (as if a copy of the file had been opened normally) but it is still a part of the 'parent' document it is embedded in. It cannot be saved separately; closing the "<Embedded>" window or tab automatically applies the edits to the parent document. Alternately, an embedded document layer can be rasterized, but that flattens it & removes its layer structure, converting it to a single pixel layer in the same way doing that to an "(Image)" layer does.

Copy & Paste works more or less the same way -- what you get depends on what is on the clipboard when the paste is done.

Aside from that, Place differs from Drag & Drop or Copy & Paste only in that Paste gives you immediate direct control over the size & position of the item being added to the parent document. Since you can change the size & position afterwards anyway, it isn't a big difference but it can save a step, which is probably why some people prefer it.

Another possible reason is since "Place" is a command on the File menu, it can be given a keyboard shortcut. Since that immediately opens a window where the file to place can be selected, it works when it would otherwise be inconvenient to rearrange or uncover windows to do a drag, or when it isn't desirable to change the contents of the clipboard for a copy & paste.

[Jaffa]

Many thanks for your very helpful explanations.   RC-R - I am saving your comments on a file on my PC for reference whenever necessary.