PSD file size huge

Question

Why are my PSD files such a large size? They take a long time to open up and save which slows me down a lot. I have tried running some tests but cannot figure out why they are so big.

I have a PDF (from AutoCAD) that is 1,238 KB.

I open that with Photoshop (24 x 36 inches, 200 ppi, 16 bit) and SaveAs a PSD file. That PSD file is 310,771 KB.

I tested opening it the same way but using 8 bit rather than 16, and the file comes out to 69,151 KB. Much smaller but still pretty big for just one layer in the drawing.

Any ideas or reccomendations to help get the file size down? I have tried using JPGs, PDFs, flattening them, etc but can't come up with a good solution. As I mentioned, it has slowed down workflow having to wait so long to save, open drawings, etc.

Also, any guidance on when to use 8 bit vs 16?

D Fosse · Answer

A PDF from AutoCAD contains vector data. Photoshop will rasterize it to pixel data which results in a much bigger file. That also pretty much destroys the original data.

In short, don't use Photoshop for this. It's the wrong tool. Illustrator will open AutoCAD files and preserve them as vector.

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