P: How did I get a flattened PSD after saving PDF?

I don't know what version of PS you're talking about, but in CS6, at least, saving as PDF, automatically unchecks 'layers' if you aren't careful. Then when you save as PSD again, it's still unchecked.

Again, there needs to be a more conspicuous warning that you are about to lose all your layers.

I totally agree with KenJyi Yos.....I mean, without functional layers, Photoshop would be completely useless. There absolutely needs to be a blatant warning about this issue when you are about to lose your layers. I don't think I ever encountered this before using CS6 (or whatever the newest one is...I use the cloud service)...I'm not sure how though, since it appears that it has happened to others using older versions, just as I have.

Seriously, if I'm saving a psd and I'm about to lose my layers, Photoshop should punch me in the skull before it lets me do that. When would I EVER want to lose all my layers in a psd?

Jeffry, I dont think it's user confusion, this is a user interface problem Adobe could address easily. Photoshop has a pop up to warn us of trivial things (comparatively) such as fonts or to maximize compatibility but there's NO pop up to ask if i want to KEEP my layers?! I think there's something wrong with their priority system for warning it's users about how the file is saved. A tiny ! triangle in the middle of the save dialogue is not much of a warning. After all, we're talking about LAYERS here. Obviously there are lots of people who's logic is to check their file extension before closing the file they spent so much time working on. Once we discover we are working under the wrong extension we try to correct it. Now that I think about it, I've even gotten pop ups that warn me when I'm saving layers saying it will increase the size.

I had this issue as well. But before I get started I just want to say Aaron your a tool! People come here for help. So help! Now to the issue at hand. After some trial and error this is what I've come up with. The issue only arises when your working on a file and you save it as a .pdf first, then after save it as a .psd. So before you save your file as a flattened .pdf make sure you save it as .psd first. That's it. Happy designing.

1) Yes, but then you'd get an error message and a confirmation dialog asking if you want to read the composite.

2) Nope.

3) Yes, you probably made a mistake when saving.

4) It's just the "layers" checkbox in the save dialog - that's all.

OK, I have a different scenario.

The following does NOT have to do with saving as a PDF.

It pertains to basic saving a PS file as a PSD.

Over the last few years with PS CS 3, I have had this problem on a periodic basis: when re-visiting a saved PSD file, the layers have mysteriously flattened. The age of the files does not seem to matter. Whether they are several years old or recent files, this flattening of layers can happen.

Here are my questions:

1. Can my PS possibly be corrupt? If so, is the best solution to delete the program and re-install?

2. Could my computer have a glitch? Perhaps it's not sending proper
signals to PS to save with all layers remaining intact?

FYI: I have had multiple problems with my MacBook Pro over the last 4 years. The problems included multiple freezing / crashes and repetitive / sticky keys. Many times, the problems would occur after intensive PS editing. The Apple folks could never figure it out. After I got a new battery, things seem to have improved. I also run my Disk Utility more regularly now.

3. Please review the steps for careful saving so that the PS layers
really do remain intact. Maybe I have carelessly skipped an important step when I have saved certain images.

4. Please provide troubleshooting tips regarding which Dialog box items
to UNcheck, to make sure that the layers stay intact.

Thanks ahead of time for your assistance.

I had the same issue. However, it is completely user error. When you save as PDF. The PSD file essentially closes and the file then becomes filename.PDF. You save that file without layers. Then if you Save as PSD because you thought you erased it, you accidentally leave layers unchecked. This then replaces the closed PSD into a PSD with no layers... aka flattened, also know as useless. I suggest opening the flattened image, add a layer with large font that says "DUMB" on it. Print it out, tape it right above your workstation. Then you will always remember what not to be. Alternatively, you should do the same thing but tape it to your chest for 1 hour after you have made this mistake. This way people will understand how you feel because it really is user error. The save as dialog box doesn't reset every time you use it.

If this was too harsh for you I'm sorry, I have another Idea that you will actually like. Every time you are going to save something as a PDF, go to your history panel of your PSD. Take a snapshot and then save. Also, every time you are finished with an awesome photoshop file, take a snap shot with your history menu camera. Name these snapshots as "pre-PDF" and "post-awesomeness". This way if you open your psd and it's flattened, you can click one of your snapshots and get back to work with layers. It's unfortunate that there isn't a magic genie to turn a flat psd or pdf into a layered file, but hey, you can never have too many snapshots. I hope this helps

I've had this issue for years, probably since Photoshop CS3. I'm on CS5.5 now.

There's only one guaranteed solution that works...

1) Before saving to a PDF, duplicate your PSD file
2) Open the PSD duplicate
3) Save as PDF
4) Close
5) Delete PSD duplicate

I've had this issue for years, probably since Photoshop CS3. I'm on CS5.5 now and the issue still persists.

There's only one guaranteed solution that works...

1) Before saving to a PDF, duplicate your PSD file
2) Open the PSD duplicate
3) Save as PDF
4) Close
5) Delete PSD duplicate