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Mortsphotos
Participant
October 12, 2019
Question

Color Depth

  • October 12, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 1026 views

I understand that Photoshop Elements 2020 has a 16-bit color depth vs. previous versions having 8-bit. Can anyone verify that this change has been made?

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    2 replies

    MichelBParis
    MichelBParis
    Legend
    October 13, 2019

    There has been no change.

    Elements has been supporting 16-bits for most general edits (enhancements, filters) and in the ACR (Camera Raw) module. That's where 16-bits depth is meaningful to avoid posterization.

    However, layers and detail (local) enhancements only support 8-bits.

    To be fair, even if 16-bits depth is available in the pixel editor, after editing in ACR (including jpegs which are 8-bits) I practically never use it. If you use layers for compositing, not for extreme blending modes, 16-bits is of no help; local enhancements like dust removal don't need 16-bits.

    So if you want to use 16-bits for all your work to feel safe even if you can't see the difference, consider the full Photoshop or Lightroom.

     

     

      I
      Ingrid0826
      Participant
      February 29, 2020

      The issue I have experienced since Photoshop Elements 2020 deployed with my 2018 version. I can no longer do edits with the raw file, like cloning, etc.  It says I must convert the depth to 8-bit.  I can save it as a jpg and then make those edits but it's frustrating when I didn't have to do these actions before. 

       

      Anyone else experiencing this issue?  If so, what is the fix?

      MichelBParis
      MichelBParis
      Legend
      February 29, 2020

      Once again, there has been no change since many versions.

      When you edit in the raw converter, you have the choice to open either in 0 or 16 bits (dropdown menu in the middle of the bottom bar).  Set it to 8-bits and you won't have to convert each time you edit a file in the editor. That choice is 'sticky'.

      And 8-bits does not only mean jpeg, it's also available for non compressed and layered formats like .psd or .tiff.

      All the edits you have made in  the ACR module have already taken advantage of the internal 16-bits depth and wide range color mode to avoid risks of posterization. 8-bits is perfectly ok for using layers and local editing tools.

       

       

       

      Greg_S.
      Community Expert
      Greg_S.Community Expert
      Community Expert
      October 13, 2019

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