How to export or save a jpg in its original resolution

[FloridaGal]

I've just "converted" from Photoshop PS6 to Photoshop 2022 (Windows 10) and already I'm very confused and frustrated by how the save options work.

I scan my drawing at 300 ppi, open the jpg with Photoshop, save the file in PSD format, and add a stroke around the edge of the image. I then want to save that as a jpg with the stroked border at its original print quality scanned size but everything I do ends up as 72 dpi. In Photoshop Preferences > Export, I have set at 100 quality. But somehow I still end up with 72 dpi.

In my previous workflow I simply selected Save As, and chose the JPG option. Simple, done. But now there's no JPG option in the Save As dialog box. When I export, I get 72 dpi.

Any elucidation would be very gratefully received. THANKS!

[D Fosse]

If you want to retain the ppi number, use Save A Copy. Export and Save For Web both strip the ppi number altogether - the exported file has no ppi at all, not 72, not 300, nothing. The 72 number appears as a default when the file is reopened into Photoshop.

Export/SFW is for web/screen/mobile devices, where ppi is irrelevant.

Pixels per inch, ppi, is not "resolution" as such. It's pixel density on paper, and hence reproduction size. The image is just pixels: how many pixels high by how many pixels wide. Ppi is just metadata that can be changed arbitrarily without affecting the file.

As for Save A Copy, all file formats that don't support all current properties of the file, are moved here. Saving to these formats mean discarding data. If the file already conforms to the jpeg specification, it will appear under Save As (8 bit depth, no layers, no transparency and no alpha channels).

[FloridaGal · Accepted solution]

Many thanks for your prompt reply. And yes, I goofed with the ppi, I meant scanned at 300 dpi.

I also found a discussion (after I posted my question) that talked about the Preferences setting under File Handling to "Enable Legacy Save As". 

Thank goodness for legacy options 🙂

[D Fosse]

Yes, you can revert to the old Save behavior in preferences.

(Personally, I really like the new way - it makes it very clear when saving will preserve the full file, and when it needs to discard data and therefore make a copy. It avoids all those "Photoshop destroyed my work").

[Cyberscribe Ireland]

For me, the legacy is best as I worked in CS 5.5 for too long due to financial restraints, and now that I'm forced to work in the new Cloud-based version of the suite I am completely lost.  Do you recommend any Adobe videos to learn the new developments, or should I just sign up in my LinkedIn Learning for a "How Design Luddites can upskill from old versions of CS to CS cloud" course? 

[D Fosse]

@Cyberscribe Ireland  Then maybe you also remember how it worked in CS4?

Prior to CS5, you couldn't save to jpeg at all, unless the file already conformed to the jpeg specification: 8 bit, no layers, no transparency, no alpha channels. It was just not possible.

Directly saving a copy to jpeg was introduced with much fanfare in CS5 in 2010 - until Apple recently dropped support for the required APIs.

We managed just fine up till 2010 and nobody complained. I bet Adobe regret making that hack in 2010.

[Cyberscribe Ireland]

Aha - who knows, @D Fossee!!  Thank you for your response.  I'll get onto my LinkedIn Learning and hopefully will pick up a few of the newer tricks soon.   H  : )

[Cyberscribe Ireland]

I remember proudly buying my first set of Adobe fonts in 1997, then a brand new sparkely set of CS discs in the year 2000 - it's been a mighty long way down rock'n'roll since then...

[emolen]

to be honset this makes no sense, even if you are correct. Theoretically, based on your explanation, I could save my file as a 1 px by 1 px image and it would retain all the necesary data to be viewable across all screen resolutions at any size necessary, regardless of how devices handle images for their HD, 4k, 8k, future 12k screens. Pixel density may not make a difference, but it actually does, because not everything is for screens all the time, and a screen's pixel density is always changing. Further it is mind numbing to have to constantly change my idea of image size based on the ever changing screen dimensions, meaning yesterdays HD image will take up the same space as todays 4k, and tomorrows 8k, but mentally I have to think in pixel dimensions in constant flux, even if the phyisical viewable area remains the same. And my gripe is not at all with you D Foss, it's just a general growing pain point over the years. Furthermore, when I place an image in AI (Illustrator) I have to place the 100mb psd uncompressed version for it to retain it's, it's what?... exactly, a jpg and a psd file saved out at the same pixel dimension are completely different sizes once placed in AI unless the pixel resolution is identical. So what now, do I save all images down to different dimensions to reduce file size only to have it print at 72 dpi and the client ask me if I'm sober because everything is pixelated? Whatever, print is dead, good luck artists, fix your AI image handeling to match Adobe, moving on with my life to fight other battles.