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Shafiq Cromwell
Participant
February 27, 2019
Question

Photoshop 2019 flattening entire PSD files into a single layer - maintains large file size?

  • February 27, 2019
  • 14 replies
  • 9432 views

Photoshop 2019 has been the worst experience i've ever had using this program. Every single project, and i repeat, every single project i have worked on in the 2019 version of photoshop has had this issue and it's getting on my nerves.

The program is corrupting the files, and flattening the PSD file into a singular black layer. All of the layers and the actual image is GONE, all while maintaining large file sizes. Example:

https://i.imgur.com/UsPaWCe.png  <--- still 300mb  file even tho it is 1 layer, reminder the program flattened it into a black image, NOT me.

this happens to every file i work on, this was a bug that occurred on previous versions as well, but on 2019 version it's just way too frequent along with the crashes and other bugs i'm experiencing. it just sucks paying for this garbage experience, what do i do?

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      mogz26
      Participant
      March 11, 2019

      This is a real thing!

      You close your Photoshop file that has maybe 50 layers in it and then you re-open it, and there's ... "Layer1"

      SCREWED!

      Maybe "maximize compatibility" is pooching something. So I've turned that off. But this is new.

      It has happened twice in the last 2 days making the same complex image.

      But I'm a 20+ yr photoshop user and this is terrifying  and maddening.

      Has Adobe acknowledged anything yet?

      Help us, Obi Wan

        JJMack
        Community Expert
        JJMackCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        March 12, 2019

        Something must have saved over the  50 layer document  you opened.  For if you open a 50 layer document file play around with it in Photoshop even flatten it in Photoshop and close it without saving it.  The 50 layer document file you opened is still on your disk.  How can you open it one time and have 50 layer in Photoshop.  Then open the same file a second time and only have  layer 1.   Something  wrote over your file.... If you save over it are you sure Layers was checked in the  Save As  dialog. If you used Save and had flatten the document  I could see there could be just Layer 1.    The file had to have been over written. Could you have clicked on Save  or use Ctrl+S???  Photoshop does not save over files on its own..... Are you using any Action or Scripts the may save over files?  If this is a Adobe bug I think many would be complaining.

        https://forums.adobe.com/search.jspa?place=%2Fplaces%2F1413024&q=Photoshop+flattening

        JJMack
        aggie168
        aggie168
        Participant
        March 6, 2019

        I've the same issue. Did anyone found a solution or a way to recover the file?

        For me its not black, but still all layer is gone leaving only a background. No dialog prompted when opening the file, it just open like nothing is wrong.

        The file size is still big 200mb.

        I'm using photoshop 2019 20.0.3

          JJMack
          Community Expert
          JJMackCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          March 6, 2019

          Photoshop should not flatten document on its own.  I have read some appends that state that layers may be unchecked when you use menu file save as.  I think some sequence of save as seened to cause that. Like a save as PDF followed by save as PSD.  If you miss checking Layers your document will be saved flattem.  The document should still be layed however the file will not be. If you then close the document without saving a layerd version you will loose your layers. Make sure layers is checked when you save your layerd documents.  I have not seen this problem for  I do not save PDF files using Photoshop.

          JJMack
          aggie168
          aggie168
          Participant
          March 6, 2019

          Hi,

          Thanks for the reply, but that is not the issue. The original poster use the word "Flatten" out of confusion, but if you read the content it say:

          "The program is corrupting the files, and flattening the PSD file into a singular black layer. All of the layers and the actual image is GONE, all while maintaining large file sizes. "

          That the same issue i've experienced today. It's not flatten, if flatten the content / image is still there.

          The issue is all content and layers are gone, but the file size still the same.

          This is the first post i found about the issue from google, so just chip-in into the conversation to raise awareness and looking for a way to recover the file.

            JJMack
            Community Expert
            JJMackCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            February 27, 2019

            Try resetting your preferences and make sure actions and script have not been corrupted.  Photoshop flatting all files seems to only be happening to you. Others have not reported that CC 2019 is flatting all their work.

            https://forums.adobe.com/search.jspa?place=%2Fplaces%2F1413024&sort=updatedDesc&q=2019+flattening

            JJMack
            S
            Shafiq CromwellAuthor
            Participant
            February 27, 2019

            i guess maybe not in 2019 there may not have been complaints. it seems like a rare issue or something.. i just did a quick google search and found this: Photoshop: PSD file missing all layers & folders, black background only when opened. | Photoshop Family Customer Communi…

            which is exactly what i'm experiencing. i have used previous versions of photoshop and have used photoshop on multiple devices and all of them have experienced this issue. I'm not sure what i am doing to cause this to happen. The only thing i change in photoshop are keybindings. No actions i have set up currently. i guess i'll just have to deal with it. thanks for the help though.

            JJMack
            Community Expert
            JJMackCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            February 27, 2019

            https://forums.adobe.com/people/Shafiq+Cromwell  wrote

            i have used previous versions of photoshop and have used photoshop on multiple devices and all of them have experienced this issue. I'm not sure what i am doing to cause this to happen.

            The problem seems to be on your machines you should try to find out where the propblem is. What are you installing on all devices that is causing your problem the CS6 problem you posted was posted 6 years ago.

            JJMack
            lambiloon
            Community Expert
            lambiloonCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            February 27, 2019

            Hi when you open the file what dialog you get ? for making any change on it let me know....Thanks

            Ali Sajjad / Graphic Design Trainer / Freelancer / Adobe Certified Professional
            S
            Shafiq CromwellAuthor
            Participant
            February 27, 2019

            not sure what you mean by dialogue, but when i open the file it just opens to reveal the black image. No warnings/errors ect. and i can draw on top of the black layer if i wanted to. . It feels like a gamble every time i close down my computer, will it corrupt my file THIS time?? oh, it did, time to work off of my last checkpoint i guess...just to remind you though, this has happened on every PSD file i work on in the 2019 version.

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