Program Error opening file

[TommyTwoBrains]

I have been recieving this error when attempting to open some files:

Could not open "XXX.psd" because of a program error.

A workaround is to open the file with Gimp - which is free software - and re-save as a psd file. Gimp retains the layers, but does, however, dispense with other stuff such as Colour Fill layers and vector shapes. A better alternative is <LINK REMOVED>(there are probably similar sites) which allows you to re-save the file losing nothing.

Such files can then be opened again in Photoshop with no error.

Strangely, if the file is thereafter edited in Photoshop in any way - even to simply hide then show a layer - and saved from within Photoshop and closed: any attempt to re-open the file with Photoshop will invoke the familiar error... It seems to me there is something about how Photoshop handles layers when saving that makes them impossible to re-open with Photoshop; saving a formerly dodgy psd as a tif within Photoshop creates a similar error when trying to re-open it: "There was a problem reading the layer data. Read the composite data instead?" If you choose the "Read.." option, you get a flattened version of your file... So probably Photoshop is handling layers badly on save/open. That other software can open these files should embarrass Adobe.

I've tried different prefs and troubleshooting - such as saving without thumbnail, generator, GPU - etc etc. nothing works so far. I would be interested to know if anyone else is receiving this error trying to open a previously okay file and if there is a pattern.

v 24.5.0 Apple M1 Ultra 128gb RAM OS 13.3.1(a)

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Hi @TommyTwoBrains where are the files located? Local HD or?

[TommyTwoBrains]

Usually external HD, but I've tested same file on internal also with same result.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Hi @TommyTwoBrains were the files directly saved to the external first? What happens if you open local, save local? Is your external drive formatted Mac OS Journaled not ExFat?

[TommyTwoBrains]

Files were saved directly to external first. APFS external hd. It does not happen with all files, but do not know what the commonality is - if there is one.

However, the site mentioned above (the name and link of which has been removed) was able to open and re-save these files - and thereafter Photoshop could open them. But if edited and saved in Photoshop, they reverted to unopenable for Photoshop.

I have tried different Mac Privacy and Security settings and permissions with no success.

I have had this problem before in April, before the external HD; then the problem was solved by rolling back to a previous Photoshop. This did not work this time. Perhaps the cause was different then, though the error message was the same.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

The issue may not be directly related to PS but Mac OS. The Finder app has been getting more and more agressive with security and read/write permissions to external sources. I had the same issue on Ventura 13.3.x going to an external drive - Apple came back and pointed out that they only support read/write to properly formatted drives (Mac Journaled) not smb or afps to servers, external drives, etc.

The only sure fire way to resolve is to drag local/edit/save local/drag back to Windows server/external. Otherwise invest in a DAM system that will automate the process - checkout will write to local, then check in will migrate to server. Keeps the file integrity.

Attempting to crack the PSD format in a third party app may exacerbate the issue as Adobe only supports native PSD formats.

[TommyTwoBrains]

Apple File System (APFS) must be supported by Apple surely? Also this does not seem to explain why it doesn't happen with all files and layered tif files also.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Its not the protocol - its the destination that is the issue.

There is no consistency to the issue, it could work for weeks seamlessly then you could have multiple failures, corruptions in one day.

That is why officially Adobe does not support removeable media workflows. Too many variables to guarantee a controlled outcome.

[TommyTwoBrains]

For me, this issue seemed to disappear with a different version of Photoshop. And then reappear with a later update of Photoshop. Might be a coincidence. I think there's too little info to be certain that it's to do with external HD.

Dragging and dropping individual layers to a fresh psd file - saving and closing then re-opening each time - the error only came in with a vector layer with multiple shapes on it. Perhaps this layer was just the part of the file that was damaged or perhaps this version of Photoshop has a problem with vector shapes/layers.

I find it bizarre that Adobe does not support removable media.

I wanted to share with other people who may be experiencing the same thing - losing hours of work: there are websites that can take your apparently corrupt file and re-save it as a psd that will open in Photoshop and be usable in Indesign etc.. 

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

I don't find it that bizare. Adobe cannot control how people connect, what they are connecting to, etc. with so many variables that effect read/write speed and permissions its impossible to handle.

The only thing Adobe can do is give requirements for the software on a local machine and there is enough issues with users trying to skirt that. Imagine if Adobe did offer support - the first thing people would blame is Photoshop - not network speeds, OS permissions, types of media used, etc.

[TommyTwoBrains]

On the other hand, issues might be prematurely dismissed with the question "Do you have external HD?" - as a lot (most?) people do. I think Adobe should try to produce requirements for removable media, if this is causing an issue for their customers.

If a website can open my psd file - that Photoshop created but subsequently cannot open - and re-save it so that Photoshop can open it - something is amiss.