Skip to main content
B
Bridget28018473ovg2
Participating Frequently
January 21, 2023
Question

Problem saving file after Smart Objects have been rasterized

  • January 21, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 1454 views

Hi everyone, 

I am running Photoshop 24.1.0 on my personal PC and the same version on my school Macs. I found a huge difference in the file sizes when saving on the PC vs saving on the Mac. It may just boil down to some preferences settings, but I haven't been able to figure it out yet. 

 

I have a PSD file that contains 9 Smart Objects. The file is 171MB, and after I rasterize the Smart Objects and save, the file goes down to 5MB. I went through this same procedure with the same file on a Mac at school, and the file only shrunk to about 165MB. My students all using the Macs had this same issue. 

 

I took care of clicking "Legacy Save As" for other reasons before this issue arose. But other than this, I haven't narrowed down what could be the difference in the preferences. 

 

Thanks for any leads you can give, 

Bridget

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

Chuck Uebele
Community Expert
Chuck UebeleCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 25, 2023

As mentioned above check the different in the metadata. The Macs might be saving the files with metadata bloat. Use the script on this link to get rid of it.

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/metadata-bloat-abnormally-large-psd-files-when-i-save-them/m-p/11292326%23M348282&ved=2ahUKEwjfoNqU5OL8AhVSMVkFHaK5Di8Q4-4CegQIGxAD&usg=AOvVaw3Yq6UFvla5sVhek5_bvt7B

    B
    Bridget28018473ovg2Author
    Participating Frequently
    January 30, 2023

    I exmained the metadata from both files and nothing looks different to me. I'll attach them both here in case you all spot something I don't. 

     

    I understand the pros and cons of using Smart Objects and Smart Filters and would like to keep the conversation focused on the reason for the dramatic size difference in these two files. Thanks again to everyone for their help. 

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 30, 2023

    I'll do WeTransfer if anyone would like to provide an email, thanks!


    By clicking on a poster’s icon you can send them a private message. 

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 25, 2023

    Based on the type layers you seem to have applied various Adjustments to the SO instances; applying those as Smart Filters can naturally make sense in certain situations, but applying them as Adjustment Layers and clipping masking those to the Layers they are intended to affect can make sense. 

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 22, 2023
    after I rasterize the Smart Objects and save

    Why did you do that? 

    Could you please provide the original file and the two resulting files for testing? 

     

    What are the Photoshop > Preferences > File Handling settings? (»Maximize PSD and PSB File Compatibility« and »Disable Compression of PSD and PSB Files« in particular.) 

    Is File > File Info > Raw Data identical for all three files? 

    B
    Bridget28018473ovg2Author
    Participating Frequently
    January 24, 2023

    Hi C, 

     

    I am rasterizing the Smart Objects because, in my education and experience (on a PC anyway), the PSD files are smaller once they no longer contain Smart Objects. 

     

    I can't provide the original or the Mac-rasterzied version in this forum, because I am limited to file sizes of 47MB. The original is 171MB, and the resulting rasterized version from the Mac is actually 106MB (I misspoke in the original post). I can upload the resulting rasterized version from the PC if it provides any clues. 

     

    I checked the settings you referenced and all are identical across Mac and PC. "Maximize PSD and PSB compatibility" is "Ask", "Disable Compression of PSD and PSB files" is unchecked. When asked about compatibility when saving, both of them are checked to say yes to maximizing. 

     

    So I'm still stuck!

     

    Thanks, 
    Bridget

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 24, 2023
    I am rasterizing the Smart Objects because, in my education and experience (on a PC anyway), the PSD files are smaller once they no longer contain Smart Objects. 

    They are smaller indeed but they are also useless for further editing. 

    Smart Objects have a »price« size-wise but they offer so many advantages … 

     

    Is there any chance that there was some resizing done on either PC or Mac? 

    At 1125px x 1500px with just 10 pixel Layers (that don’t exceed the canvas) 106MB does seem steep indeed. 

    Is File > File Info > Raw Data identical for the Mac- and PC-created files? 

    Could you please post screenshots of the Mac-created file with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible? 

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices