Full auto conversion from 16bit file with 16bit smart objects to 8bit file and 8 bit smart objects.

[adamm37925805]

Hello!

When we are creating 16bit psd file smart objects inside are auto 16bit. I have around ~50 (and more comming soon) 16bit psd files with +4  16bit smart layers. When I changing mode from 16bit to 8bit only main file changing and smart objects are still 16bit. Is there any solution to change everything not by hand? This is 50x4=200 changes manualy from 16 to 8bit. 8bit psd file must be still editable as base 16bit.

edit:

I need this to heavy reduce file size. Maybe there is other way to reduce size of the file?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

»8bit psd file must be still editable as base 16bit.«

What do you mean by this? 

Converting the 16bit-Smart Objects to 8bit could be automated with a Script. 

Do you have JavaScript-experience? 

[adamm37925805]

I mean that smart object need to be smart objects. I got funny suggestions to rasterize all layers ;). I don't have JaveScript-experience and I'm sad because of this. If I see script I know what it is doing but I can't write from 0.

[davescm]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but why do you need to reduce the file size?

Changing an unflattened file from 16 bit to 8 bit can introduce visible changes in the way the layers blend, as well as gradient banding. 

If the aim is to reduce storage space, then you really do need to consider storage costs which are cheap these days  vs image degradation.  If the aim is to send online, then do you need to send unflattened files?

Dave

[adamm37925805]

I have no influence on the amount of server space and I will not have it. I need to put unflattened psd files.

[JJMack]

There are two types of placed smart object layers "Linked" and "Embedded". Embedded smart object layers contain a copy of the placed imaged file in the layer's object.  Linked smart object layer's object do not contain a copy of the file in the smart object there is just  a link to the file places in. When you convert the PSD from 16bit color to 8bit color the pixels rendered for the smart object layer will be changed to 8bit color pixels. like all the other layers pixels. The links will still be to the original placed files.  The object sized will not change. So convert the smart object to linked objects remove the copy of files in the object layer's object replace them with a link.

[adamm37925805]

Yes if I convert PSD from 16bit color to 8bit color the pixels are rendered for 8bit. But still smart object contain double size data for 16bit that I don't need. For example: One of the smallest file have 355MB (full 16bit) > changing it to 8bit and 16bit smart object gives 282MB. Changing all to 8bit gives 230MB. White layer trick gives final ~200MB. The problem is how to change everything not by hand to 8bit.