How to read the 'full resolution composite' from a .psd file?

Question

I'm working with 16-bit .psd files and have the "maximize compatibility" switch turned on in CS2. When a file is saved, a message box appears indicating that PS is generating a "full resolution composite." I'd guess this is stored in the .psd file somehow, because some of the 3rd party image viewers are able to display the image when the compatibility switch is used, but are unable to display the image otherwise.

My question is: how can I read this full resolution composite from the .psd file outside of Photoshop?

If this is the wrong forum to post this question, I'd appreciate it of you'd tell me a better place.

Thanks,

Dave H.

My question is: how can I read this full resolution composite from the .psd file outside of Photoshop?

If this is the wrong forum to post this question, I'd appreciate it of you'd tell me a better place.

Thanks,

Dave H.

qu1j0t3 · Answer

As you guess, it is stored in the PSD, but only with the Maximise Compatibility switch. Without that switch, a dummy image is stored which has the text "This layered Photoshop file was not saved with a composite image.", in English, German, Japanese and French.

My program psdparse extracts each layer in an 8-bit file as a PNG, and the merged image for both 8- and 16-bit files. That link is to a Subversion repository containing source code.

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