Skip to main content
S
silvan2df
Participating Frequently
March 7, 2017
Answered

psd-file of 200 MB is said to be larger than 2 GB and can not be saved

  • March 7, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 1904 views

Dear forum,

we are experiencing a strange behaviour on our graphic workstations on which we recently deployed CC 2014.

During testing, a psd-file of 200 MB containing 3 layers with dimensions of 5400x1957 (72 dpi) could not be saved giving the error message "file could not bei saved because document is larger than 2 GB".

There are 2 strange things which I cannot explain:

a) why is the .psd of 200 MB said to have more than 2 GB?

b) why can it be saved easily using CS6 and not at all saved using PS CC2014 or 2015.3 ?

I know there is .psb for large documents, but this is even more proprietary than .psd and not suitable when using other software.

Is there a hint how this issue could be resolved? I already played with the file options like "compress psd and psb"

Thanks in advance for your help!

Silvan

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer davescm

    I can't equate the dimensions you gave in the first post with those in your screenshot (assuming the rulers are set to pixels?).

    A couple of things to think about though :

    1. For an 8bit RGB image - File size is roughly pixel height x pixel width x 3 channels   (4 channels if there is a layer mask) x layers. Divide the answer by 1048576 to get MB

    2. With maximise compatibility switched on Photoshop also saves a flattened version of the layered file within the PSD

    If you are reluctant to use psb, you can save up to 4GB as a layered TIFF

    1 reply

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 7, 2017

    Three straightforward pixel layers of 5400 x1957 = 95110200 bytes for 8 bit and 190,220,400 bytes for 16 bit.

    However there is something which could make the document much bigger.

    Is one or more of your layers a smart object?

    Whilst a smart object appears to be a certain pixel size, within that smart object container can be another single or multi-layered document with a much bigger size.

    Dave

    S
    silvan2dfAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    March 7, 2017

    Hi Dave,

    thanks for your reply- Indeed the images are larger than the dimensions of the psd. But even if I extend the canvas-size to the image size i won't get a file larger than 266 MB as *.psb-file. It is an RGB file with 8 Bit color depth.There are no smart-layers but one masked layer.

    Cheers

    Silvan

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    March 7, 2017

    I can't equate the dimensions you gave in the first post with those in your screenshot (assuming the rulers are set to pixels?).

    A couple of things to think about though :

    1. For an 8bit RGB image - File size is roughly pixel height x pixel width x 3 channels   (4 channels if there is a layer mask) x layers. Divide the answer by 1048576 to get MB

    2. With maximise compatibility switched on Photoshop also saves a flattened version of the layered file within the PSD

    If you are reluctant to use psb, you can save up to 4GB as a layered TIFF

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