maximize compatibility file size quirk

[bruceg60692453]

Under Windows 10, in both the current version of Photoshop CS6 and the current version of Photoshop CC, small changes to text have an inconsistent effect on file size when the file handling preference Maximize Compatibility... is set to Always.

For example, I have 100 files with file names ranging from Jun (1).psd to Jun (100).psd, containing only several text layers, each containing a few words of text, all in the same typeface.  The files differ from one another only in a single detail: the third text layer contains a couple of digits (in addition to several invariant letters) has a change in the digits, from 1 to 100, matching the file names.  The other text layers do not differ at all.  Files that contain that text layer with the digits 1, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81, and 91 have a file size of over 64 MB when saved with Maximize Compatibility set to Always, whereas all the other sets of digits (2, 3, ...10, 12, ... , 20, 22, .. etc) have a file size less than one MB.  When Maximize Compatibility is set to Never, all files are the same size, less than 1 MB, regardless of the digits in the variable text layer. It does not matter which of two computers or which version of Photoshop is used.  It does not matter what the file names are.  Under Maximize Compatibility = Always, replacing a large file with a copy of a smaller file containing a different number reduces the file size, but if the file is subsequently edited to introduce a 1, the size increases again. The only variable that seems to have any effect is the last digit of the numerical value, which triggers the size increase when equal to 1. 

Weird, huh?  Does anybody else see this?

[JJMack]

Extra data is save when you use Maximize Compatibility.  So a Photoshop that does not support the newer layer feature or new layer kind. So old Photoshop version can open the file an substitute a normal pixel layer by using the extra pixels data save for the layers.    Layers that would normally have no pixel data  have pixel data when  save with Maximize Compatibility may have. 

Do any of your Text layers have layer style .  Layer styles in CC can have multiple same type effects like two drop shadows. CS6 Layer Style can not.  Layer styles do not have pixels  Photoshop Renders pixel for layer styles effects into the Image Composite.  CS6  could not render that incompatible layer style. Therefore Maximize Compatibility may save a composite of the Text with layer style applied.  So Photoshop cs6 can substitute a pixel layer for the text layer with incompatible layer style.  The is pure guess work on my part. I imagine Maximize Compatibility could greatly increases file size.

[jane-e]

Hi Bruce,

According to Adobe Help, a flattened version is saved with the image when Maximize Compatibility is enabled.

File formats in Adobe Photoshop > “Maximize compatibility for PSD and PSB files”.

In my experience, I cannot place a native Photoshop file into InDesign or Illustrator unless Maximize Compatibility is checked, so I leave it on. If you are not placing your image into other applications, you can turn it off and keep the smaller file size.

~ Jane

[D Fosse]

You also need to keep it turned on for Lightroom.

[JJMack]

That is because Lighroom  does not have Layer support it can only use the Layered files composite image.

[jane-e]

Good addition, Dag. I don't use LR, so "place" may not have been the perfect word. Maybe "for use with" other applications would have been better? I know that for the work I do I need to keep it set to "Always" and accept the larger file size.

[bruceg60692453]

Hi, JJMack, jane-e, and D-fosse,

It's very nice of you all to take the trouble to respond.  I appreciate your thoughtful comments.  Unfortunately, none of your remarks so far actually addresses my question.

My question was only about one very specific, almost inconsequential bug.  I did not mention Lightroom, InDesign, Illustrator, obsolete versions of Photoshop, or any other application that relies on the composite rendering added by Maximize Compatibility.  I do understand what that feature does.  I only asked if anyone had seen the bug; I gather that none of you have. If anyone has seen this bug, I would be delighted to hear about it, and also to learn about any workaround you may know (aside from the obvious one of turning off Maximize Compatibility and not using incompatible applications.)

There's no reason I know of why the "maximize compatibility" composite layer would need 64 MB of storage for the PSD files in question.  In point of fact, it appears to almost never need even 1 MB.  Logically, either the process is failing to compress the composite image for a 10 of 100 files with almost the same content, or it is failing to render the composite image for 90 out of 100 files.  Either way, it's a bug, not a feature.

If there are only more off-topic responses from this forum, I will shortly drop out of the discussion, after which if Adobe wants to address the issue, I would be happy to provide more information, but they may have to contact me directly.

Thanks again for your kind attention, and best regards.

[jane-e]

Hi Bruce,

On behalf of the three of us, I apologize that we misread your post.

This is a user-to-user forum. There is a second forum to report bugs to the engineers and you will be able to track the progress. Here is the link: Photoshop Family Customer Community.

~ Jane