• Unable to save file > 4GB (even in .TIFF format w/ compressed layers)

[dimitri_cas]

Hello -

I recently bought a 100 million pixels camera (medium format).
So far, so good... ☺️

Handling raw photos (of this size) in Photoshop is no problem at all.
Still no problem... ☺️

The problem regularly occurs when saving the retouched file. Because the size/weight regularly exceeds 4GB, I can no longer save the file (even with the .TIFF option (with compressed layers)).

I'm forced to merge a lot of retouching layers, smart objects (very useful), ...

Is there a solution/tip to avoid this?
Given the evolution of cameras (ever more pixels, larger format, ...), isn't it time for Adobe to look into the matter?


Thank you,
Enjoy your day

- Dimitri

[Jeff Arola]

Save as a Large Document Format (PSB), which is a type of psd specifically for files larger than 4 gb.

Photoshop only supports files of 4 gb or smaller in the TIFF format.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/file-formats.html

[D Fosse · Accepted solution]

PSB has been available for a long time, and it doesn't have any practical size limits (petabytes).

We're all getting there. I'm trying to get into the habit of saving to PSB right away now, otherwise it will usually stall at some point sooner or later.

You could argue that they should just switch to PSB as default - but that would have some nasty practical implications: resaving an old file, you suddenly have two files. But it might be time for at least an option in Preferences.

EDIT: and I would recommend turning off PSB compression in Preferences. For files of these sizes, open/save times can become unbearable with compression on - as in two minutes compressed vs. 15 seconds uncompressed. After all, these files are big anyway, so you can just dismiss all notions about "saving space".