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mjjaniczek2
Participant
October 26, 2017
Answered

Why am I losing my layers from my PSD files? [2017]

  • October 26, 2017
  • 5 replies
  • 5657 views

After creating a layered PSD file I save it. Then I flatten the image and save as a PDF. When I go back to the PSD file I lose all the layers (it is also flattened). I have been doing it this way for many years. This unwanted flattening of the original PSD has just started happening. I cannot afford to lose the original layers as changes alway are needed.

 

Is this some new change to Photoshop?

 

Please help me.

    Correct answer jane-e
    @CandyC941 wrote:

    I save the PSD 1st, then save a flat PDF and then I go back later to open up my PSD file, and it's flat.

     

     

    Hi @CandyC941 

     

    You responded to a post from four years ago in 2017 and things have changed. In the post you replied to from 2019, @davescm succinctly called this a "gotcha" and this issue has been solved by Adobe.

     

    As of 22.4.1, use Save a Copy to save png, jpg, pdf, etc. You will not lose your Photoshop layers.
    As of 22.4.2, you can revert to the previous behavior in Preferences > File Handling > File Saving Options if you prefer:

    • Enable Legacy Save As
    • Do not append Copy to filename

     

    See this help page for details and cautions:
    https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/saving-images.html  

    ~ Jane

     

    5 replies

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 4, 2019

    Hi

    It is not a bug but is , IMO, bad interface design.

    When you save as a PDF you will see this warning :

     
     

    If you choose not to Preserve Photoshop Editing capabilities :

    The next time you save as a PSD then the layers box will be unchecked. There is a warning which you can click and read but it is not very prominent

     

     

    So the layers box needs to be checked before saving. Many people get caught out once with this "gotcha".

     

     

    Dave

      C
      CandyC941
      Participant
      September 15, 2021

      I am having the same problem now, and I am a mac user. I save the PSD 1st, then save a flat PDF and then I go back later to open up my PSD file, and it's flat. Mac does not have the "layers" check box anymore when saving a PSD. This is madness, please help!

      jane-e
      Community Expert
      jane-eCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      September 15, 2021
      @CandyC941 wrote:

      I save the PSD 1st, then save a flat PDF and then I go back later to open up my PSD file, and it's flat.

       

       

      Hi @CandyC941 

       

      You responded to a post from four years ago in 2017 and things have changed. In the post you replied to from 2019, @davescm succinctly called this a "gotcha" and this issue has been solved by Adobe.

       

      As of 22.4.1, use Save a Copy to save png, jpg, pdf, etc. You will not lose your Photoshop layers.
      As of 22.4.2, you can revert to the previous behavior in Preferences > File Handling > File Saving Options if you prefer:

      • Enable Legacy Save As
      • Do not append Copy to filename

       

      See this help page for details and cautions:
      https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/saving-images.html  

      ~ Jane

       

        D
        darrinartist
        Known Participant
        November 4, 2019

        I just started having the same problem. HELLLPPP!!!!!!!!!!

         

        cmgap
        Community Expert
        cmgapCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 26, 2017

        I opened a layered psd doc, Saved it as a layer test.psd (so as not to overwrite my original document). Flattened the test doc and saved as a pdf. I was able to open the layered test doc without any issues.

        Pariah Burke
        Community Expert
        Pariah BurkeCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 26, 2017

        Moved to Photoshop forum.

        cmgap
        Community Expert
        cmgapCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 26, 2017

        When you export a psd file to a pdf is this box checked?

          M
          mjjaniczek2Author
          Participant
          October 26, 2017

          I am not sure, because I do not use export, I use Save As. Even so, what woukd that have to do with the original layered PSD? If I am saving as a PDF from the original layered PSD, why is it changing (flattening) the original PSD?

          It has never done that before. Something has changed.

          M
          mjjaniczek2Author
          Participant
          October 26, 2017

          Do you have Autosave enabled under Preferences > File handling?

          in your workflow, you mentioned that you flattened after a save, then did “Save As.” If you left the file open after flattening, before the save as, it might have auto saved.

          I recommend saving as PDF first and flatten after saving the PDF - if you need it flattened. Don’t make destructive changes on your original document, as it takes a simple click to lose your work (I have done this when closing a file - “Do you want to save?” “Yes.” Click. Wait! I mean NO! Arggh).

          Mike


          I do save as layered PDF first, then flatten the pdf. What is happening is when I go back to the original layered PSD, it is also flattened. This has happened many times recently. At first, i thought I might have made a mistake, but I have been very diligent and now notice it is happening on its own. It is very costly to me to have to spend time recreating Layered PSD's on every job.

          I think there is a bug in the recent updates that is causing this.

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