Smart Layer Replace is a Photoshop script for Mac and Windows that will automate the placement of several images one by one on an open document and save each to a folder as JPG, PNG, TIFF or PSD files. Technically, the content of a smart layer is replaced and transformed to fit the original dimension of the smart object. This is a useful tool for placing several or hundreds of product images on a background template.
Please view a demonstration video below.
The script can be accessed in the File > Export menu of Adobe Photoshop. A smart layer must be selected in the Layers panel first before the script can be used. It has been tested to work in Adobe Photoshop CS 5 up to CC 2024 for both Windows and Mac.
Features
Auto Scale of Replacement Content
Fit—If the source image dimension is too tall or too wide to fit in the original smart layer, the smart layer is automatically transformed to proportionally fit within the original boundaries of the smart layer.
To prevent cropping if the new image is proportionally taller than the original smart layer dimension, the smart layer is transformed to maximum height. The same will be true for proportionally wider new images.
Crop or Fill—The source image is enlarged just enough to fill the entire smart layer space which may cause the vertical or horizontal sides to appear cropped off.
Custom—You can set your own scale percentage.
Additional resize and placement options are also available in the latest version:
- Scale offset—Customize scaling by adding or subtracting from the resulting scale transform with positive or negative percentage numbers.
- Stretch to fit—If image distortion is not an issue, this will stretch the image vertically or horizontally, depending on which sides need filling.
- V-align and H-align—Vertical and horizontal alignment options to offset the placement of the image to one side or corner of the smart layer space.
- Trim—Removes excess transparent margins which keeps your design from fitting the smart layer space area properly.
Replace or Edit Smart Content Methods
The content can either be replaced immediately or edited so that the replacement happens inside the smart content document. The smart content is temporarily saved as a linked file and deleted after the replacement export job is completed. If the export output is PSD, the linked file is not deleted.
3D Layer Support
With the 3D Layer add-on, you can replace multiple smart layer textures embedded in 3D Layers. There is also an option to render selected 3D layers both in Smart Layer Replace and Job Queue add-on after each set of replacements are done. See demo video.
Text Layer Replace Compatible
Replace text layers along with smart objects by using Text Layer Replace extension and the Job Queue add-on. See demo video.
Multiple Image Output Formats
Export to JPG, transparent PNG, TIFF or PSD.
When saving to PSD with the Edit Contents… option enabled, the replacement content is saved to a linked PSD file. The linked PSD file is normally deleted when saving to other image formats.
Multiple Smart Layer Instance Support
If the Edit Contents… option is disabled, any other layers using the same smart layer content as the selected smart layer will still auto scale proportionally.
Multiple Smart Layer Content Support
With the Job Queue add-on installed, the script can also be applied to more than one smart layer. Each smart layer content will have its own corresponding set of replacement images.
Multiple Layer Comps Support
With the Job Queue add-on installed, the script can save separate exports of other layer comps that are present in the PSD. Appended to the filenames are the layer comp names.
You can select which layer comps to export in the Layer Comps tab add-on as shown in this demo.
Multiple Target PSD’s Support
Below is a demonstration of multiple Photoshop files as smart layer replacement targets:
With the Job Queue and Job Targets add-ons installed, the script can do the same set of smart layer replacements on other PSD target files. You can either set it to replace only those smart layers with matching content names as the main PSD the script is running on, or replace both matching smart layer contents and whatever available non-matching smart layer contents are remaining.
Warp and Perspective Transform Support
Below is a demonstration of warped content being replaced:
Enabling Edit Contents… is strongly recommended for preserving warp transforms correctly. If Edit Contents… is off, replacement content with a different aspect ratio may not properly fill the warped content area. However, this can be compensated with the offset input value.
Custom Filename Format
With the Job Queue and File Options add-ons installed, you can set your own custom filename segments based on the input filename, target document filename, or custom text. See demo video.
User Guides in PDF
- Batch Smart Layer Replace
- Job Queue Add-on
- 3D Layer Add-on
- Job Targets Add-on
- Layer Comps Add-on
- File Options Add-on
How to Buy the Script
By Credit Card at Adobe Exchange
To buy instantly using a credit card or Paypal, purchase the script at Adobe Exchange. You can instantly download the script after payment is completed.
By Sending Money with Paypal
To purchase this script with Paypal, send payment to https://paypal.me/pixelsplasher and mention the script name, including any add-ons and the Google Drive email address where you want the script to be sent to in the message. Your payment is processed manually and may take up to 12 hours before the script is received in your email inbox.
Pricing
The script costs a little bit more at Adobe Exchange to cover for Adobe sale and payment services. However, you can download the extension instantly after payment. If you need to use the script as soon as possible, please buy it at Adobe Exchange.
If you can wait for at least one day, you can buy the add-ons by sending money directly to https://paypal.me/pixelsplasher. Please mention the add-on names and a Gmail email address to send the script to in your message.
The Paypal version is always up to date while the Adobe Exchange version takes time to get updated. If you purchased at Adobe Exchange, you can always ask for the latest version from me by providing your invoice number.
Batch Smart Layer Replace
$18 (Adobe Exchange)/$12 (Paypal) USD*
Buy this one only if you need to replace just one smart content shared by multiple smart layers.
CAUTION: The following add-ons are the same add-ons for Text Layer Replace script. There is no need to buy these separately for Smart Layer Replace if you already have these installed. If the one you already have does not work with Smart Layer Replace, please ask for the updated version from Pixelsplasher.
Job Queue Add-on
$9/$7 USD*
You will need this add-on to replace multiple smart contents.
3D Layer Add-on
$9/$7 USD*
You will need this add-on installed to replace smart layers found in textures of 3D objects.
Job Targets Add-on
$7/$5 USD*
The Job Queue add-on is required to use this add-on.
Layer Comps Add-on
$7/$5 USD*
The Job Queue add-on is required to use this add-on. Job Queue already has an option to export all layer comps. You only need this if you wish to particularly select which of the layer comps are to be exported. You can also use this to randomly export a limited number of layer comps per round of replacements made.
File Options Add-on
$7/$5 USD*
The Job Queue add-on is required to use this add-on.
*Send payment of $1 less per item by buying more than one item.