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fabbui
fabbui
Inspiring
March 31, 2020
Question

Error Saving file too big

  • March 31, 2020
  • 1 reply
  • 607 views

I am sure this is a basic question. I edited a file in PS, Convernted several layers into few smart objects, added adjustmen layers. I have been doing this for a while  but I usually do not work with smart objects layers. I tried converting to layers this time and when saving I get the error that the file cannot saved because it is larger than 4Gb. I tried Tiff with layers and zip compression. Tried PSD. 

I was finally able to save it in .psb

 

I understood that by using the smart obejcts I would not run into big file sizes but each smart object would be saved separate and reused as part of my final edit.  So am I doing somthing wrong ? 

 

My flow is LR > transfer to PS in TIFF format and then save the final work in tiff. 

I work in windows 10, Adobe CC with the latest version.  

 

Thanks for any advise. 

 

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

mglush
Community Expert
mglushCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 31, 2020

Hi!

First, I don't think you're doing anything wrong--I think you just ran into the limits. Photoshop cannot save a file over 2 gigs as a .psd. Saving it as a .psb file was the correct thing to do. The other reason you might have to save it as a .psb is if you have more than 30,000 pixels in one direction in your file.

 

One of the ways you can get around this is by working on specific areas in a separate file and then merge that area into one layer. Then you can bring that completed image into your final document to composite. Or if you need to work in your final file, after you've completed an area and merged to a new layer, then move those working layers into a new document for back up. By getting them out of your working file, that will free up some space. If you've every seen some of Bert Monroy's work, he will work on specific areas in his painting and then bring the final merged layer into his composite file. Check out: http://www.bertmonroy.com.

 

Now, about smart objects--sometimes they are saved as part of the file--sometimes as separate files. A smart object encapsulates its material so that if you shrink it down to almost nothing, you can then blow it up again with no loss. You will not get the same results with a regular layer. In doing that, Smart Objects, by retaining all the pixel information, can at times make the file size larger.

Here is a link to information about Smart Objects that I think you will find helpful:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/create-smart-objects.html

Let us know if that helps!

Michelle

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