Can't Save PSD. Says File is Over 2GB

[Outtacontext]

I can't save a file I've been working on (and successfully saving as a PSD). When I try it suddenly says the file is over 2GB.

I've been reading up on this and I'm sure it's caused by a Smart Object I brought in from Illustrator. I enlarged the object a huge amount. However, when I delete the Smart Object, it STILL says it's over 2GB. So, what can I do? I've already rasterized the object and don't really need the smart object I originally brought in.

(I have been able to save it as a PSB. But, I'd like to save it as a PSD. I'm using Photoshop CC 2015.

Jeff

[JJMack]

You may be able to save it as a layer TIF file up to 4GB Most file types have a 2GB size limit.  How big is the PSB file when you save the document in that format?

[Outtacontext]

The PSB file is 143 MB. Yes, megabites.

[D Fosse]

Maybe some metadata still sticks.

If it's important to have this as PSD, you could try to copy it over into a new file to clear all metadata. Start with the background and shift-drag layers over (the shift will keep the position).

If it's still over, then it really is over.

[Outtacontext]

I did do as you suggested, D. I opened a new file, shift-dragged everything over. But it wouldn't save as a PSD. It did save as a TIFF. But I want a PSD.

[gener7]

I wonder if Edit > Purge would likely clear out the history bloating the file, but you would lose your ability to undo.

Gene

[Outtacontext]

Gene, I don't see Purge under the Edit menu. Using CC2015 on a Mac.

[JJMack · Accepted solution]

How big was the Tif? Also CC 2015 has many issues I do not use it try CC 2014.

[Outtacontext]

The TIF was 235 MB. How can I find CC 2014?

[Outtacontext]

Okay, well, I didn't have CC 2014. But I did have CS5 and it worked. It saved as a PSD. I hope I didn't lose anything that I need in saving it in CS5. What's going on with CC 2015??

[Outtacontext]

Oh, wait. I have CC2014. Will try.

[Chuck Uebele]

Why don't you want to save it as a PSB? That what that file format is for. Just just like a PSD.

[Outtacontext]

Chuck, because the file isn't huge. It's about 250 MB. Not over 2 GB.

[Chuck Uebele]

The output indicators of file size can be off. Often the actual saved size isn't and can't be known until PS tries to save the file. That is a big discrepancy though. Can you post a screen shot of your layers panel. Just curious what is going on with the layers that you have.

[gener7]

It's around here under Edit (CC 2015 using a Mac)   Got called away, so it looks like the question has been settled, but look into that possibility.

[Outtacontext]

Duh, I see Purge now. Thanks Gene.

[gener7]

Outtacontext wrote:

Chuck, because the file isn't huge. It's about 250 MB. Not over 2 GB.

A file of any size can be saved as a PSB.  a 50 MB psd saved as a psb will be 50 MB, but not as many programs outside of Photoshop can open them.

I do need to read up on compatibility a bit more.

Gene

[Outtacontext]

Just an update: after I saved the file in CS5, it seemed to be okay. But this morning, when I tried to save it as a PSD in CC2015, I had the same problem as before. Said the file was over 2GB. I did try Purge as Gene suggested but that did not fix the problem.

[gener7]

Purge is what I recommend for memory and scratch space issues. I see it doesn't touch this problem.

However others have seen this 2 GB warning and there is some good advice in this thread: Unable to save file as PSD - PS says the file is over 2GB when it's not

I still recommend going to PSB if you are going to continue to load it into CC.  That's called "Large Document Format" in the Save or Save As menu.

Note on files sizes: It's the file size in memory that counts. Photoshop uses compression to reduce the size on disk. You look at Document Sizes in the Status Bar.

The left figure 14.1 is the Flat (no layers) size and the right is the total including layers, 87.3 MB. It saves to 47 MB on the local drive when the file is closed.

Keep in mind there have been major changes and additional features since CS5, so comparisons are meaningless. A feature introduced in CC won't be editable or handled in the same way going to CS5 even if the psd can be opened.

[sergiod56321962]

I am currently still having this problem when I tried to save it as a regular PSd and I only have about 200megabytes ! can anyone help ? 2024