Troubles saving pictures in PS (file too large)

[laurentc48856771]

Often, when i edit a multiple layers picture that i have imported from LR, I have troubles saving (as TIF) because file is too large and a message pop up saying that the file is over 4 gb, even if, like in the picture attached, it is just 1 gb. If i want to save it in PSD maximum size is 2 gb resulting pretty much impossible to save.

Why is that and how can i solve? 

Thank you

Laurent

Imac 5k 4 Ghz Intel Core i7

High Sierra

Lastest PS and LR (creative cloud)

[Mylenium]

You cannot circumvent the limitations of the file formats. You have to use PSB then. Everything else would require much more specific information. To me it seems liek you are not considering a bunch of factor like potential effects and layer duplicates generating their own preview data, which not necessarily is refelcted when the document is open.

Mylenium

[laurentc48856771]

Thank you Mylenium for your reply.

The problem with PSB is that LR don't support them.

Why show the size on the bottom left if it is not correct? How am i supposed to know how large a file really is?

[PECourtejoie]

Hello, Bonjour, bongiorno...

The file size at the bottom is an estimation and cannot, for instance, guess wich compression option you would chose.

How large is the file?

Did you try to save a flattened copy, to continue in Lr if that's what you want?

No way to clean extra channels, or tidy up the file to win some filesize?

[laurentc48856771]

Let's say "Ciao", it's international! 🙂

Ok, for the file estimation, i won't entrust it anymore from now on, thank you.

I'll explain my editing process, i am probably (over)doing something wrong:

- Usually i edit .jpg on LR and that's it.

- But when i need more complex edit, or need to work on layers, or work on RAW files, after minor adjustments in LR I right click and send to PS. When I am done editing in PS i save with cmd+s and automatically find my edited .tif picture on LR. I might edit some more in LR or find the need to make some changes in PS so i often  go back in PS. This is fine, i can go back and forward easily and fast from one to another. When file is too large and cannot save it with cmd+s, i have two solutions: 1 export as .jpg and import it to LR but on some complex pictures it might needs different exports/imports = time consuming and i still won't be able to save my work on photoshop. 2nd solution is to somehow flaten the file (i usually do this converting some masked layers in advanced object which will reduce the size until i can hopefully save), this way i have right away my picture on LR wthout having to import it, double files etc, but I potentially loose the capacity to edit those layers that I converted. I then usually won't close PS untill i am sure that the final picture doesn't need any more edits on PS. I know, it's ridicolous but if i am having troubles saving as .tif you can imagine i hardly get to save as .psd. Sometimes i can't even save as .psb.

Any suggestions for a slender process is welcome.

In conclusion, in a way or another i can get the picture back in LR, in worst case scenario as a .jpg, but this trial and error saving process is time consuming, especially because i always try to keep as many layers as possible in the eventuality that i need/want to go back to edit them. 

Also, I forgot to mention that i work with 37mb files (Nikon D810) so it doesn't take that much to have this issue.

Thank you to anyone reading till the end and willing to help!!

[Test Screen Name]

Many people make thus mistake. They see a size and assume it is a predication of the file size. It just is not. It is useful numbers, for a different purpose. Can’t actually know File size before saving. 

[Cynetix]

As someone has said, save it as a PSB to get it saved.

Then you could flatten it, which WILL reduce the file size if it's a layering issue. If you are using TIF I assume you aren't preserving layers anyway are you?

If you have hidden layers that you aren't using you could always use the Layer > Delete > Hidden Layers and then save a copy as PSD. It may get you under your size threshold.

[laurentc48856771]

Most of the time TIF is good enough but on some special project I like to preserve all layers in order to eventually edit, even in the near future.

I wasn't aware of "hidden layers", I will try that, thank you!

[davescm]

The number shown at the bottom left just uses 1 canvas sized pixel layer for a smart object even though the smart object might contain 500 layers of bigger dimensions or even further, nested , smart objects. So it is not an indication of disk file size

Dave