Multiple Smart Objects
Creating Mockups with Multiple Smart Objects - One Design or Different Designs
6.1 Overview
The Mockup Factory supports PSD templates with multiple smart objects, making it easy to create advanced mockups that showcase your design across a product range, from different angles, or on multiple surfaces—all within a single image.
There are two core modes for handling multiple smart objects:
- Same design on all smart objects – one design, repeated in every slot
- Different design per smart object – each slot gets its own design
Which you need comes down to one question: does every slot show the same thing, or does each slot show something different?
6.2 Mode 1: Same Design on All Smart Objects
Best for:
- Product ranges – one design shown across several styles of water bottle in a single image
- Colour variations – the same design on differently coloured ceramic mugs, side by side
- Grid shots – one design displayed across several products at once
- Multi-angle views – front and back of a wooden block, or two views of a box lid
How It Works
- Your PSD contains multiple smart objects (linked or separate)
- The same design is placed into every smart object
- Effects are applied to each smart object
- You get a complete mockup showing your design across every placement
Setup Steps
- Select Same design on all smart objects in the Smart Object Mode section
- Choose your PNG folder (your design files)
- Select your PSD folder (templates with multiple smart objects)
- Pick your effect settings
- Click Continue to Processing Settings
Linked Smart Objects (Pro Tip)
If your PSD uses linked smart objects (duplicates of the same smart object), editing one updates all linked copies automatically. The Mockup Factory handles this for you—no extra steps required.
Pro Tip: Use linked smart objects when you want identical placement across multiple views.
6.3 Mode 2: Different Design Per Smart Object
Best for:
- Photo frames – your engraved design on the frame itself, and a photo placed in the picture area
- Coaster sets – a different design on each coaster in the set
- Multi-surface products – box lid and box side carrying different artwork
- Front and back labels – each with its own design
How It Works
- Your PSD contains multiple smart objects, eg
- SmartObject1
- SmartObject2
- etc
- You create subfolders named exactly after each smart object layer, eg
- /SmartObject1
- /SmartObject2
- etc
- Different designs are placed into their matching smart object, based on folder names
- Effects are applied to SmartObject1 only by default
- To apply settings to all smart objects — in "Apply Effects To:" click the radio button All smart objects (same effects to all)
Why effects default to one smart object: it's deliberate, and the photo frame is the clearest example. You want the engraving effect on the frame, but not on the photograph sitting in the picture area. The default keeps effects off the slots that shouldn't have them — switch to "All smart objects" when every slot is the same material.
Setup – Folder Structure
Create a root folder with subfolders matching your smart object layer names (case-sensitive):
PNG_Root_Folder/
├── SmartObject1/
│ ├── design_A.png
│ └── design_B.png
├── SmartObject2/
│ ├── photo_1.png
│ └── photo_2.png
└── SmartObject3/
└── logo.png
Setup – Plugin Settings
- Select Different design per smart object radio button in the Smart Object Mode section
- Choose your PNG Root Folder (the folder containing subfolders)
- Select the Driver Smart Object (this determines how many mockups are created)
- Pick your effect settings
- Click Process All Combinations
Driver Smart Object Logic
- The driver smart object decides the number of mockups generated.
- Example:
- SmartObject1 (3 designs), SmartObject2 (2 designs)
- If SmartObject1 is the driver: 3 mockups (SmartObject2 cycles)
- If SmartObject2 is the driver: 2 mockups (SmartObject1 cycles)
"Create All Combinations" Option
Enable this to generate every possible pairing:
- SmartObject1 (3 designs) × SmartObject2 (2 designs) = 6 mockups
6.4 Troubleshooting & Pro Tips
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Subfolder not recognised | Subfolder name must match smart object layer name exactly (case-sensitive); avoid special characters and check for trailing spaces |
| Effects only on one smart object | In MULTIPLE mode, effects apply to the driver/first smart object by default. To apply to all, select "All smart objects" in "Apply Effects To" |
| Wrong number of mockups | The driver's PNG count determines output count (unless "Create all combinations" is enabled) |
6.5 Quick Reference Table
| Feature | SAME Mode | MULTIPLE Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Design source | Single PNG folder | Subfolders matching Smart Object names |
| Design placement | Same design in all Smart Objects | Different design per Smart Object |
| Effects applied to | All Smart Objects | First/driver Smart Object only (default) |
| Best for | Ranges, colourways, grids, multi-angle views | Frames, coaster sets, different surfaces/labels |
| Linked Smart Object support | Yes (automatic) | Yes |
Pro Tip: For advanced workflows, you can mix and match modes across different products—test with sample batches first to ensure your folder structure and naming are correct.
6.6 Next Steps
- Section 5: Resize Modes – how designs fit into each smart object
- Section 7: Processing Types – the effects you can apply
- Section 9: Troubleshooting Guide – fix common issues
Happy mockup creating! The Mockup Factory Team