Save as a psb but is below 2gb

[BlueMonday_8]

Hi everyone, I know this is an old topic but I can't seem to work it out. I've got a small part of a larger file that I'm trying to work up. At the moment I'm trying to work it up with some filter gallery texture work and layer effects but I'm having to save as a psb despite this being well below 2gb so I'm struggling to get anywhere. The only object I can think might be a problem is a layer style but I can't see just this making the file so big. Like I said i've copy and pasted in from a larger file so if there are any common things I can troubleshoot that'd be really helpful.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

»I'm having to save as a psb despite this being well below 2gb«

That statement appears to be nonsensical so you may want to elaborate what you actually mean by it. 

Is the file on disk smaller than 2GB but you get the warning that you cannot save as psd beceause it is bigger than that? 

And what is the problem with saving as a psb anyway? 

[BlueMonday_8]

I get the error saying I need to save as a psb but when I check the saved file it's smaller than 2gb. Also I'm trying to save as a psd so that I can get into the filter gallery

[c.pfaffenbichler]

»I get the error saying I need to save as a psb but when I check the saved file it's smaller than 2gb. «

Interesting. How much smaller roughly? 

»Also I'm trying to save as a psd so that I can get into the filter gallery«

I am afraid you might be confusing two different issues: file format and pixel dimensions. 

The Filter Gallery Filters still seems to be affected by the old 30.000px restriction. 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Ah, now I get it (I guess) … sorry I didn’t immediately grasp it. 

The warning-message is in fact wrong under certain circumstances.

(Edit: Apparently no separate warning text was included for the other condition that prevents saving a file as a psd.)

What are the image’s pixel dimensions?  

On which Layers are you trying to apply Filter Gallery Filters? 

To be able to crop the image to its current state later on try first storing the current canvas size and position (Select All, Make Work Path), then applying Image > Reveal All. 

That should help you in identifying the Layers that extend beyond 30.000px.  

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

If the off-canvas content is not relevant and the image itself is below 30.000px in both dimensions the easiest solution might be 

• Select > All 

• Image > Crop 

That should remove the »excessive« pixel content (not for Smart Objects, though). 

[BlueMonday_8]

Brilliant thank you. I had a high res image overlay that was extended beyond the canvas

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I apologize again, I think the issue of the erroneous »… document exceeds 2 gigabyte limit …«-warning message has come up before but I didn’t connect the dots immediately. 

[PECourtejoie]

No need to apologize, you are bringing tremendous help to the community.

We are only human beings.

Now, you'd better remember, next time! 😉

[PECourtejoie]

BlueMonday_88, are you on a PC or a Mac? I reported the info to the team,, but would like to know if the problem exists also on a PC.