Drag and drop image into PS template?

[chkproductions]

I want to make some templates (logos, info) in PS but have the ability to change out the photos. Is there a way to drag and drop (or locate) an image into a predefined image place-holder in PS? I assume you can do it in a design program but I don't have one.

Thanks for any help. Cheers

chk

 

[graybalanced]

If you Option-drag (Alt-drag in Windows) an image from the desktop into Photoshop, it will be added as a Linked Smart Object layer. Same as File/Place Linked.

A Linked Smart Object is replaceable because you can change the file it is linked to. Go into Layer menu, open Smart Objects submenu, and you will see commands like Relink to File, and Replace Contents. You can use Replace Contents to put a different image in place of the one you linked to originally.

The Properties panel also tells you about a Linked Smart Object when selected. Try right-clicking in it.

 

[Johanfoto]

I don't think that is an answer to the question that the OP asked. What the OP asked is this: suppose you have a template that has a placeholder for an image in the upper right corner. Is there a way to place your image straight into that placeholder (so you don't have to move/resize the image layer after you placed it)?

You can 'Paste Into' a selection, but I don't think you can 'Place into'.

--
Johan
http://www.johanfoto.com

 

[chkproductions]

Graybalanced and Johnanfoto - thank you both for your input, it's valuable info for me. Johnan is correct in what I'm trying to do - Use placeholders in a template(s) that I can swap out photos into as needed retaining the photo placement and proportions of the template's layout.

I will go through all the suggestions that Graybalanced has given and report back.

Thanks again.

chk

 

[chkproductions]

I used Graybalanced instructions and they work well for my needs. Placing a linked placeholder photo in position in a layout, then replacing it with a similar proportioned photo through the layers menu allows me to link to a new photo as needed leaving the layout the same.

Thanks for the great info.

Cheers

chk

 

[graybalanced]

You can 'Paste Into' a selection, but I don't think you can 'Place into'.

Exactly...and that is why I gave the answer that I did. You can't Place Into because Photoshop does not have any kind of a placeholder feature.

Therefore, you do the next best thing, which is to use Placed Linked as a workaround. Bring in an image you don't really want to use but can be replaced at any time, because it is a reference link to a disk file. This avoids the extra steps of open/copy/paste. Instead you just Replace.

 

[Sailor Blue]

Dave Cross is one of the first and still best Photoshop gurus. Here is how he suggests doing it using Smart Objects. I haven't watched this in a couple of years but if I remember correctly it is similar to the technique already outlined by others.

Dave Cross ▶ Creating a Smart Object Template in Photoshop - YouTube

 

[Johanfoto]

You can 'Paste Into' a selection, but I don't think you can 'Place into'.

Exactly...and that is why I gave the answer that I did. You can't Place Into because Photoshop does not have any kind of a placeholder feature.

Therefore, you do the next best thing, which is to use Placed Linked as a workaround. Bring in an image you don't really want to use but can be replaced at any time, because it is a reference link to a disk file. This avoids the extra steps of open/copy/paste. Instead you just Replace.

Right. It wasn't clear to me that you meant to use an image as a kind of placeholder. I thought you were simply explaining what place does compared to normal drag & drop. It's an interesting work around, although it only works well if you always use images of the same size.

 

[chkproductions]

You can 'Paste Into' a selection, but I don't think you can 'Place into'.

Exactly...and that is why I gave the answer that I did. You can't Place Into because Photoshop does not have any kind of a placeholder feature.

Therefore, you do the next best thing, which is to use Placed Linked as a workaround. Bring in an image you don't really want to use but can be replaced at any time, because it is a reference link to a disk file. This avoids the extra steps of open/copy/paste. Instead you just Replace.

The Place>linked and Layer>Replace contents is working well. When making the template(s) you do need to use a different photo for each placeholder. If you don't and use the same photo several times in your layout, when you replace, all photos of the same image with be replaced with the new content.

Here is a quick example of what I am doing -




PS layout template

Now I can just replace the contents when I want to change out the images but keep the layout. I will also make several different layouts according to my needs.

I know you can do this in design programs, but doing it in PS can keep the quality of output at its highest and keeps me from adding yet another program to do but one facet of my work.

Great suggestion.

Cheers

chk

--

http://chkphotography.zenfolio.com/

 

[graybalanced]

chkproductions wrote:

The Place>linked and Layer>Replace contents is working well. When making the template(s) you do need to use a different photo for each placeholder. If you don't and use the same photo several times in your layout, when you replace, all photos of the same image with be replaced with the new content.

The usual way of getting around that is using New Smart Object Via Copy which cuts it off from the other smart object, but now after testing it, looks like that command cannot be used with a Linked Smart Object.