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henrywl
henrywl
Known Participant
July 1, 2020
Answered

Photoshop "Export As" size limits?

  • July 1, 2020
  • 14 replies
  • 55805 views

Hello folks,

 

Got an issue that confused me and suprised me that I couldn't find an answer by googling...

 

When I try to export one of  my panorama pictures using "Export as", Photoshop (V21.2) automatically scales down my pictures and gives following message: "The image's initial dimensions exceed the maximum allowed pixels and having be downscaled".

 

What caused this problem? Did I do anything wrong?

    Correct answer Conrad_C

    Ok, how can I check what are limitations?


    The dimension limitations for Save for Web are 8192 × 8192 pixels. That is why a long dimension above 8192 is reduced to 8192. The limit exists because Save for Web is very old code, and that is why Adobe has named it Save for Web (Legacy). They want to remove this old command eventually.

     

    There is a much newer command for web graphics export, intended to eventually replace Save for Web (Legacy). The new command is File > Export > Export As. The Export As command has no problem allowing and exporting a 9000 × 1920 px image in JPEG format.

     

     

    So:

    • For a very large JPEG graphic optimized for the web or mobile, use Export As. 
    • For a very large JPEG graphic to be printed, containing additional metadata such as ppi resolution and (if used) a clipping path, use File > Save a Copy.

    14 replies

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    henrywl
    henrywlAuthor
    Known Participant
    July 1, 2020

    So, my friend just got back to me and she had exactly the warning and scaled down result when open the same file.  It is apparently PS "Export as" limitation issue, not my personal settings or  my PS configurations (at least by default).  Giving today's high end digital cameras and popularity of panorama photos, 17420 by 7421 isn't that big. So what is the maximum allowed pixels? What is the best option to export large JPG files while still have control on compression quality?

    JJMack
    Community Expert
    JJMackCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 1, 2020

    Save as Jpeg has a quality settings 0 to 12 I believe.   I use 10 to produce smaller file sizes then quality 12?  I do not  believe you will see and different in Print quality between quality 10 an quality 12.   If you will be making changes in the future you also save a  layered  PSD so you still have you work and avoid jpeg generation degeneration.

    The jpeg options pop-up happens during the save process the first time you save a  new jpeg. After that you can save over the file and the same quality setting will be used.

    JJMack
      Bojan Živković11378569
      Community Expert
      Bojan Živković11378569Community Expert
      Community Expert
      July 1, 2020

      There is limitation when saving for web. Have you tried to use Generator for that task?

      JohanElzenga
      Community Expert
      JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 1, 2020

      'Export as' does indeed have a size limit, but I have no idea how much that size is exactly.

      -- Johan W. Elzenga
      barbara_a7746676
      Community Expert
      barbara_a7746676Community Expert
      Community Expert
      July 1, 2020

      Take a look at this post

      https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/image-size-resolution.html#:~:text=Photoshop%20supports%20a%20maximum%20pixel,resolution%20available%20to%20an%20image.

      henrywl
      henrywlAuthor
      Known Participant
      July 1, 2020

      Thank you Barbara for the quick answer. Actually I did check that article before posting here. It says "Photoshop supports a maximum pixel dimension of 300,000 by 300,000 pixels per image", while my image, which is at 17420 by 7421, is way below this limit.

      henrywl
      henrywlAuthor
      Known Participant
      July 1, 2020

      Export is for saving Web images.  If you want to save vert large image with that many pixels use Save AS.


      Thank you JJMack! But this doesn't explain why "Export as" would limit the image that not that big. and if there is a limit for "export as", what it would be?  Also, "save as" doesn't have option to define quality of compression so that you can control the file size, which is the reason I choose "Export as", also I was able to denfine color space (Convert to sRGB) in the same time. The image is for online printing service that asks for JPG with sRGB color space and has a file size limit.

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