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EDIT: A Big update on this topic is presented with PS CC 14.2! Now you can have linked smart objects, it works like in InDesign. Just go to 'File → Place Linked' and choose your PSB file.

This is the Promo video from Adobe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6AIgoFDwlk

Is it possible to import a PSB file (saved smart object) into several PSDs, so when I edit the PSB the change is visible in every PSD?

I only get it that way, that the PSB is copied into the PSD and the source PSB remains untouched.

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  • your way is the only way i guess,lets hope to see another way.
    – Jack
    May 10, 2011 at 9:11
  • a professional gamedeveloper said it should work, but he couldn't show me in lack of a computer
    – ueberkim
    May 10, 2011 at 9:28
  • how come it is possible when you edit a PSB file and you want changes in PSD files? you have to do it manually on both files whereever i know :|
    – Jack
    May 10, 2011 at 9:39
  • 1
    there may also be some confusion with your gamedev friend because Illustrator (and I think Flash & Fireworks also) supports linked files, but Photoshop does not.
    – Farray
    May 10, 2011 at 16:07

2 Answers 2

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Unfortunately, no.

There are numerous methods to import PDFs, AIs, other PSDs, PSBs, etc., but the "best" result is that imported objects are converted to "local"1 Smart Objects.

@Johannes: the File → Place command converts the placed file into a Smart Object embedded in the current file. Updating the original PSB/PSD does not update files that have placed it. For whatever reason, the CS3-4 documentation does not mention this conversion but Adobe finally made this correction in the CS5 documentation.

1: By "Local" I mean the Smart Objects are saved in the file itself and become unique to the file in which they are saved

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  • @Johannes No worries, I almost posted that as the answer but then I remembered having trouble with it a while ago. Had to do a quick double-check to find out. :-)
    – Farray
    May 10, 2011 at 13:53
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To Complete and answer my own question here is the update from last year:

Big update on this topic is presented with PS CC 14.2! Now you can have linked smart objects, it works like in InDesign. Just go to File->Place Linked… and choose your .psb file.

This is the promo video from Adobe.

Improve this answer

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