Skip to main content
Shariesa
Shariesa
Participant
July 5, 2019
Answered

Unable to open a PSD file in Photoshop

  • July 5, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 1847 views

So yesterday I worked for hours upon hours designing a brochure in Photoshop, and everything was working perfectly fine. After finishing it I saved it as a PSD file on a flashdrive so that I can return to it and add the finishing touches the next day. When I try to open it again to show someone my progress, it refuses to open and displays this message "Could not complete your request because it is not a valid Photoshop document." every single time. I have no idea what is going on because I know for a fact that it was saved as a PSD file, and I would greatly appreciate some help with figuring this out.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Norman Sanders

    Looks like I didn't get too lucky, but I do get a small preview of it on the recent projects menu when I start up Photoshop. So is it better for me to copy all my important PSD files from the flashdrive to my Mac directly and start working with Time Machine running for now on? I just need some advice on what I can do to prevent this from happening again.


    I recommend two things:

    First, when working on a project that runs to anything over an hour of. your time, save it every now and then as: filename_1, filename_2, filename_3 and so on, so that if a file goes wonky you have a recent save. In other words don't save with the exact same name each time. It will overwrite the previous save and provide no in-process and/or backup insurance.

    Second, pick up an external drive and dedicate it to Time Machine. I provides automatic backup and easy file recovery. I love it more than ice cream.

    Good luck.

    3 replies

    S
    SeanFD
    Participant
    October 11, 2019

    Just change the extension in file properties to .psd.

     Boom!

     

    Problem sloved 😉

    Thanks.

     

    Norman Sanders
    Norman Sanders
    Legend
    July 5, 2019

    Is your computer a Mac with Time Machine running?

    Did you you save it at any stage at least once on your Mac?

    Time Machine automatically makes hourly backups for the past 24 hours, daily backups for the past month, and weekly backups for all previous months.

    Shariesa
    ShariesaAuthor
    Participant
    July 5, 2019

    I truly wish I could say yes, but the answer is no. I've only ever saved it on the flashdrive and this is the only PSD file that this happened to, I've checked the other ones and they all open just fine.

    Norman Sanders
    Norman Sanders
    Legend
    July 5, 2019

    If file is corrupted and you will settle for seeing the image so that you can remember your design in greater detail, there is a chance you may be able to see it by choosing Google and clicking on the dot pattern to the left of your picture in the Google top far right. From the dropdown menu, choose Drive. When it opens, drag a copy of the file that you moved to the laptop into it. You may get lucky.  

      A
      Anonymous
      July 5, 2019

      Hi

      Is it possible that you could upload the PSD to a file sharing site like DropBox and post a link to the download, I assume you don't have a copy of it on your PC, Adobe do not recommend working from network shares or removable media

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices