Using PK Sharpener with Smart Object layer

[stewart]

Will the GM version of PK Sharpener be able to operate on a Smart Object layer created in CR 4.1? Currently the only way I can get it work is to flatten the file first. Anything I am missing here? Suggestions for different workflow?

[Jeff Schewe]

No. . .PhotoKit products are not "filters" in that they represent a multitude of applied filter effects as well as additional layers and blending options with opacity changes. Thus, it's not possible to run an automate plug-in as a Smart Filter.

[stewart]

Thanks Jeff. As you may have understood from my previous post, I am not trying to use PK Sharpener as a Smart Filter. I am now opening my RAW files from CR as Smart Objects in PS. I gather from what you are saying that PK Sharpener simply can't operate on a Smart Object layer without it being converted to a background layer first. If this is the case, then I am finding this to be a real headache.

[Jeff Schewe]

Yep, sorry. . .you can use any PK product with a Smart Object, but you WILL need to create a new layer, and move that underneath the SO and make it into a Background layer..no alternative. From there it will behave as expected. Note however that changing the SP underneath the resulting layers won't change the results of the PK layers since they are made form the SO at the time you ran the PK effect.