Posted by Rob Haman on February 21, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I know the file size listed at the bottom of an image while open in PS is only an estimate but I've noticed the last few master images I've worked up are way off. These are large format drum scans that are typically 500mb without any layers. Case in point; the last image I worded up has four adjustment layers(no background duplicates), PS shows the file as 589mb but the actual saved file is 2.1 GB!! This seems unusually large for only four layers. I am preserving the scanned resolution of 2400 dpi and 16bit depth as a TIFF file. Maybe I should start doing some compression of the files?
Rob
Posted by Randall Quon on February 21, 2009 at 12:59 PM
What file format are saving the file as, PSD or TIFF?
Posted by John Mumaw on February 21, 2009 at 1:20 PM
This is at least in part because as soon as you add any adjustment layers, PS also saves a flattened version of the file along with the layers in order to 'maximize compatibility'. In other words, in case they decide to change the way layers are blended in a future version, you'll still get the same look you had. You can turn this option off somewhere in preferences and it'll drop your file sizes accordingly.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on February 21, 2009 at 1:33 PM
I don't think that I would start doing compression on the files, at least with the most common methods. ZIP files won't save you much space for a graphical file and a jpeg will pretty much negate any benefit of having the drum scans done in the first place.
John's suggestion is probably best and should shrink the file sizes a lot.
Rob, the 2400 dpi and 16 bit is a lot to deal with on LF. I scan my LF at 1400 dpi and 16 bit saved as a TIFF. Typically with even several layers my finished file size is around 700 to 800 meg. That is plenty large for anything I work with. As a side note, I also scan a lot of 6x7cm images too. Those I scan at 2400 dpi and 16 bit saved as a TIFF. Again, with numerous layers it usually finishes off at 700 to 800 meg. maximum. When scanning at 8 bit I will scan my LF at 2400 dpi. & MF at 3200 dpi. Just some additional thoughts on the subject.
Posted by Rob Haman on February 21, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Thanks John and Dan,
I have been saving the files as TIFF's so taking John's suggestion I turned off the Maximize Compatibility option in preferences and then saved the file as a PSD and now it's only 500mb, much better!
I thought I had read somewhere that TIFF's were supposed to be smaller file sizes - guess not.
Rob
Posted by Rob Haman on February 21, 2009 at 3:54 PM
I guess while I'm at it I should ask another question. After saving an image as a PSD with Compatibility turned off the file size was 500mb, going back and turning on the Compatibility option basically doubled the file size to just over 1gb.
So the question is; is this a viable method of saving disc space or a risk of images not being opened correctly in the future? I do shoot with digital for wildlife but I still prefer LF for landscapes and while external drives are reasonable the smaller I can keep these files the better.
Just a comment on the TIFF, Rob: A 16-bit PNG will be a little smaller (uncompressed, I think), and you can compress it further, losslessly. The PSD may end up being smaller still, though.
Posted by John Mumaw on February 22, 2009 at 12:10 PM
So the question is; is this a viable method of saving disc space or a risk of images not being opened correctly in the future?
You are perfectly safe by turning the Compatibility off.
If you need to open these files in another program that needs that flattened file to work with, then you can simply make a copy of the original PSD file, flatten it and you're good to go.
Do note that Lightroom is one of those programs that needs a flattened file of the PDF in order to read it.
Posted by Jim Bullard on February 22, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Two thoughts on this topic:
First - File size: You can save some on file size by converting to a 'smart object' and applying adjustments to that rather than a full new layer. This has the advantage of being non-destructive as well as saving file space. It is a lot like the adjustments in Lightroom. You can go back and readjust them anytime. They are simply instructions for rendering upon opening, not alterations to pixels. It will slow down rendering somewhat as it applies the adjustment on-the-fly when the file is opening.
Second thought - Maximize Compatibility: I took the advice of Deke McClelland to turn that off a while back only to discover that I could no longer see the file in Lightroom so I have now turned it back on but I'm not dealing with files anywhere near as large as Rob's. If you are using the file ONLY in Photoshop you can save file space by turning it off but if you use Lightroom or another browser for cataloging you may be creating a problem for yourself. I don't know if turning it off creates a problem with Bridge. I don't use Bridge much and haven't checked.
Discussion
9 repliesRob
John's suggestion is probably best and should shrink the file sizes a lot.
I have been saving the files as TIFF's so taking John's suggestion I turned off the Maximize Compatibility option in preferences and then saved the file as a PSD and now it's only 500mb, much better!
I thought I had read somewhere that TIFF's were supposed to be smaller file sizes - guess not.
Rob
So the question is; is this a viable method of saving disc space or a risk of images not being opened correctly in the future? I do shoot with digital for wildlife but I still prefer LF for landscapes and while external drives are reasonable the smaller I can keep these files the better.
You are perfectly safe by turning the Compatibility off.
If you need to open these files in another program that needs that flattened file to work with, then you can simply make a copy of the original PSD file, flatten it and you're good to go.
Do note that Lightroom is one of those programs that needs a flattened file of the PDF in order to read it.
First - File size: You can save some on file size by converting to a 'smart object' and applying adjustments to that rather than a full new layer. This has the advantage of being non-destructive as well as saving file space. It is a lot like the adjustments in Lightroom. You can go back and readjust them anytime. They are simply instructions for rendering upon opening, not alterations to pixels. It will slow down rendering somewhat as it applies the adjustment on-the-fly when the file is opening.
Second thought - Maximize Compatibility: I took the advice of Deke McClelland to turn that off a while back only to discover that I could no longer see the file in Lightroom so I have now turned it back on but I'm not dealing with files anywhere near as large as Rob's. If you are using the file ONLY in Photoshop you can save file space by turning it off but if you use Lightroom or another browser for cataloging you may be creating a problem for yourself. I don't know if turning it off creates a problem with Bridge. I don't use Bridge much and haven't checked.
Jim Bullard