Tracking/Recalling Photoshop Edits

Question

I hope I can make this query make sense. If I have psd files with multiple layers containing various changes such as adjustments or other embedded images such as background textures etc., when I flatten the final image to reduce the file size, I obviously lose visibility of what I did to create the final image. I understand that there is a way to track edits in a text file, but I have been using a rather laborious method. I take a snapshot of the layers panel using something like the Snipping tool, and then save that as a jpg alongside the flattened image which can then be viewed alongside the image in Lightroom. What might be the most efficient/easy way to track my edits to enable me to recall them later? Is there some slick action or plugin that would take a copy of the layers panel and then place that image for example on a separate layer? I wonder if that did in fact make sense. Thanks, Martin

c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted Answer

As @Trevor.Dennis already implied: Keeping the layered files (as psd, psb or tif) is the efficient approach but it comes at a cost in size.

I suppose it would be possible to create a text file that lists the Layers (along with their Blend Modes, applied Smart Filters [at least for much of the deafult filters, plugins from other providers might not be evaluable], Clipping Groups, parent Group/s, …) but that would hardly seem useful, especially if manual touch-up, painting, Layer Masks, Vector Masks, … would be involved.

Trevor.Dennis · Answer

Have a look at Photoshop's History Log. It creates a text file recording every step you take. Do you not have the disk space to save and keep the layered image as well as the flattened JPG?

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