Comments on: Getting Smaller Photoshop Files

By: Would you like smaller PSD files? « Pursuing Photoshop

Would you like smaller PSD files? « Pursuing Photoshop — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:08:10 +0000

[...] http://www.planetphotoshop.com/getting-smaller-photoshop-files-2.html [...]

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:13:12 +0000

It’s actually not just for Photoshop 2.5 but also for other applications that can read Photoshop files but only ever need a flattened version. For example, I think InDesign complains if you place a file that has this setting turned off, and many image viewers won’t be able to display the image or even just display a thumbnail since they rely on the flattened version and can’t flatten the layers themselves (which is a more complex task than one might think).

Another thing to consider is that larger files (and if you have to handle composites with 80 layers or more you’ll know what I mean) will take longer to load in other applications that support Photoshop files (Bridge for example) since the application can’t use the pre-flattened composite but has to do all the flattening work work itself.

And if I remember correctly you also lose the ability to quickly open a flattened version of a file if you don’t need the layers (for example, you just want to make a quick sRGB JPEG for the client to approve) by holding down a modifier key when opening the file in Photoshop.

I’m not saying “Leave that option turned on!”, I’m just saying there is more to it than just compatibility with Photoshop 2.5, and there is definitely a reason why it is there.

Another note: Smart Objects are also a huge file-size-increaser, so if file sizes are a concern, avoid them where possible.

Peter

By: Chathura

Chathura — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 08:34:37 +0000

Thank you very much for the great tip!

By: Dave Catley

Dave Catley — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:15:50 +0000

There is actually a use for the “Maximize PSD and PSB File Compatibility” option in PS for Lightroom users.

If you want to import your PSD files into Lightroom as part of your workflow then this compatibility is required otherwise Lightroom won’t be able to import the image.

By: Seim Effects

Seim Effects — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:44:14 +0000

Great tip. I always wounder what that annoying popup was, but never took the time to see. They should not have that as default.

I too would like to meet the guy using 2.5

Gavin
seimeffects.com

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:39:03 +0000

Thanks for the tip! I always wondered what that meant. (Do you think that there actually are people out there still using 2.5?)

By: Anthony Guerra

Anthony Guerra — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:44:06 +0000

Thanks for this. Question: Is there a preference in PS that makes all of your files open up at 100% no matter what the resolution is?

Thank you for all of your tips, Cory.

By: Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home

Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:36:59 +0000

Oh, good grief! You mean every time I’ve been asked this question, I was saving big, fat files? Not any more! Thanks.

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:33:19 +0000

What about Lightroom ? Doesn’t Lightroom 2 require this format in order to interface with Photoshop ? I know Lightroom 1 did.