P: Bring back JPEG quality percentage to Export As dialog

[Dan Rodney]

I updated to Photoshop version 22.5.0 and just noticed that File > Export > Export As has a majorly dumbed down JPEG quality menu. Photoshop is for professionals. Having accurate control over quality is import for optimizing to a small file size. Giving a few choices (and not even telling us what quality they are) is not acceptable for a pro app. I know for now I can go into prefs and use the legacy version, but please bring back the quality percentage!

I also posted this on the Photoshop Feedback website which I think is a more appropriate place to discuss this, but wanted to see what other people think. It's probably best to comment there so Adobe knows. Photoshop Feedback: Bring back JPEG quality percentage to Export As dialog 

{Moderator edited title - PS-71391}

[sibsontheroad]

@Pete.Green How does 1-7 correlate to percentages? Would this be the correct scale:

1= 14.2%

2 = 28.6%

3 = 42.9%

4 = 57.1%

5 = 71.4%

6 = 85.7%

7 = 100%

But then, how do I export at 75% or 80%? If my scale is correct, there is quite a big difference between 5 and 6.

[Stephen Marsh]

@sibsontheroad 

I while ago I compared file sizes against quality levels to see where things "lined up". Inclusion of metadata adds to a small file size difference between Save As and Export As (or Export > Save for Web). Perhaps it will help. Note: the Save for Web JPEG quality values were not chosen to attempt to equate to the Export As values:

Photoshop 2021
Save As		Save for Web (Legacy)		Export As
Save As JPEG, Level 12 Baseline Standard	3,382,351 bytes (3.4 MB on disk)	Save for Web (Legacy), Quality 100	3,035,739 bytes (3 MB on disk)	Export As, Great (7)	2,951,329 bytes (3 MB on disk)
Save As JPEG, Level 11 Baseline Standard	2,549,259 bytes (2.6 MB on disk)	Save for Web (Legacy), Quality 92	2,520,944 bytes (2.5 MB on disk)
Save As JPEG, Level 10 Baseline Standard	2,072,956 bytes (2.1 MB on disk)	Save for Web (Legacy), Quality 84	2,128,221 bytes (2.1 MB on disk)
Save As JPEG, Level 9 Baseline Standard	1,813,312 bytes (1.8 MB on disk)	Save for Web (Legacy), Quality 76	1,826,102 bytes (1.8 MB on disk)	Export As, Excellent (6)	1,835,030 bytes (1.8 MB on disk)
Save As JPEG, Level 8 Baseline Standard	1,597,234 bytes (1.6 MB on disk)	Save for Web (Legacy), Quality 68	1,579,870 bytes (1.6 MB on disk)
Save As JPEG, Level 7 Baseline Standard	1,245,822 bytes (1.2 MB on disk)	Save for Web (Legacy), Quality 60	1,301,819 bytes (1.3 MB on disk)	Export As, Very Good (5)	1,324,234 bytes (1.3 MB on disk)
Save As JPEG, Level 6 Baseline Standard	905,668 bytes (909 KB on disk)	Save for Web (Legacy), Quality 52	1,173,631 bytes (1.2 MB on disk)
Save As JPEG, Level 5 Baseline Standard	837,439 bytes (840 KB on disk)	Save for Web (Legacy), Quality 44	742,928 bytes (745 KB on disk)	Export As, Good (4)	695,320 bytes (696 KB on disk)
Save As JPEG, Level 4 Baseline Standard	786,204 bytes (786 KB on disk)	Save for Web (Legacy), Quality 36	658,904 bytes (659 KB on disk)
Save As JPEG, Level 3 Baseline Standard	740,953 bytes (741 KB on disk)	Save for Web (Legacy), Quality 28	596,724 bytes (598 KB on disk)	Export As, Fair (3)	590,963 bytes (594 KB on disk)
Save As JPEG, Level 2 Baseline Standard	753,850 bytes (758 KB on disk)	Save for Web (Legacy), Quality 20	546,622 bytes (549 KB on disk)	Export As, Poor (2)	563,817 bytes (565 KB on disk)
Save As JPEG, Level 1 Baseline Standard	709,518 bytes (713 KB on disk)	Save for Web (Legacy), Quality 12	437,863 bytes (438 KB on disk)	Export As, Very Poor (1)	498,396 bytes (500 KB on disk)

[Sierra329870448o8f]

In the 25.1.0 photoshop update I don't even have the "use legacy" checkbox in settings/preferences anymore. Looks like there's even a version number for the "Export As" dialog box (v5.8.32). 

PLEASE bring back the percentage slider!! When exporting web banners we try to have the best quality while also keeping the file size below a certain threshold. The percentage slider allowed us to really fine-tune our file sizes. I'd much prefer 100 steps of adjustments over 7... like, come on. 

[Stephen Marsh]

@Sierra329870448o8f – Assuming a Mac, is your chipset Intel (legacy supported) or Silicon (no legacy support)?

[Sierra329870448o8f]

@Stephen Marsh Chip says Apple M2 Max, so Silicon.

[IncredibleHat]

Its 2025 and this lacking 1-7 choice is driving us up the wall.

[IncredibleHat]

"Export As..." needs the 1-100% slider (not the 1-7 hard steps where 4 is aweful and 5 is too large of file size).

Someone says "use the Save for Web (Legacy)"... if only it created a clean file when you choose "Metadata: None". The legacy export leaves metadata junk in the file... while "Export As..." makes a clean file with the 'none' choice. Go figure?

And get this.... if you use the auto generation with "Generate > Image Assets" and name a layer/artboard with like ".jpg72%" you get the precision jpg save from "Save for Web", and a clean metadata file from "Export As". ?!?!?

This reaks of bad UX. And this thread has existed for 4 years now. Bang up job our monthly subscriptions are going towards.

[D Fosse]

@IncredibleHat 

"4 is aweful and 5 is too large"

Jpeg file size is more than anything determined by image content. Flat areas compress much more effectively than busy high frequency detail. It can be a factor of 10x or more.

If file size is critical, the level of sharpening plays a huge part. Dial down a little bit on the sharpening, and you can cut size in half.

Here's 48 kB vs 426 kB - exact same dimensions and compression level:

[jonathan8_8]

"If file size is critical, the level of sharpening plays a huge part. Dial down a little bit on the sharpening, and you can cut size in half."

OR… Adobe could just bring back the simple 1-100 slider for more fine-tuned control. Typing a value in on export is WAY faster than adjusting sharpening per-image and hoping that it will get you to the file size you need.

The legacy save for web is the only saving grace, but unfortunate that it doesnt work with multiple artboards.

[Stephen Marsh]

The legacy save for web is the only saving grace, but unfortunate that it doesnt work with multiple artboards.

@jonathan8_8 – Have you tried turning off the visibility of the other artboards before using Save for Web (Legacy)?

[jonathan8_8]

I mean sure… but the whole point is to export multiple at once. It's fine… we're all in figma now anyway haha

[Stephen Marsh]

The legacy save for web is the only saving grace, but unfortunate that it doesnt work with multiple artboards.

@jonathan8_8 – Have you tried turning off the visibility of the other artboards before using Save for Web (Legacy)?

I mean sure… but the whole point is to export multiple at once. It's fine… we're all in figma now anyway haha

Agreed, however, knowing that this is the answer, this can be scripted for all artboards. I hit some issues (bugs?) so this isn't perfect, but it's certainly usable:

/*
All Artboards Interactive JPEG Save for Web.jsx
Stephen Marsh
v1.0 - 28th March 2025
https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-ideas/p-bring-back-jpeg-quality-percentage-to-export-as-dialog/idc-p/14446391/page/5#U15236123
*/

#target photoshop

try {
    var outputFolder = Folder.selectDialog("Select a folder to save the output files");
    if (outputFolder) {
        alert("Remember to paste the artboard name from the clipboard to the file name to replace the default 'artboards' save name each time!");
        processLayerSets(outputFolder);
        app.refresh();
        alert("Restore or hide/restore the visibility of any artboards which are not previewing correctly after the script has finished.");
    } else {
        alert("No folder selected. Script aborted!");
    }
} catch (e) {
    alert("Error: " + e);
}

function processLayerSets(outputFolder) {
    var doc = app.activeDocument;

    if (doc.layerSets.length == 0) {
        alert("No layer sets found in the document!");
        return;
    }

    for (var i = 0; i < doc.layerSets.length; i++) {
        var currentLayerSet = doc.layerSets[i];

        // Hide all layer sets
        for (var j = 0; j < doc.layerSets.length; j++) {
            doc.layerSets[j].visible = false;
        }

        // Make current layer set visible
        currentLayerSet.visible = true;

        // Select the current layer set (make it active)
        doc.activeLayer = currentLayerSet;

        // Get the name of the current (now active) layer set
        var artboardName = currentLayerSet.name;

        // Copy the artboard name to the clipboard
        var d = new ActionDescriptor();
        d.putString(stringIDToTypeID("textData"), artboardName);
        executeAction(stringIDToTypeID("textToClipboard"), d, DialogModes.NO);

        // Export the current layer set as a JPG file
        exportSaveForWeb(true, new File(outputFolder + '/' + artboardName + '.jpg'), false, 75);

    }

}

function exportSaveForWeb(DIDr, in2, interfaceIconFrameDimmed, quality) {
    var c2t = function (s) {
        return app.charIDToTypeID(s);
    };
    var s2t = function (s) {
        return app.stringIDToTypeID(s);
    };
    var descriptor = new ActionDescriptor();
    var descriptor14 = new ActionDescriptor();
    descriptor14.putEnumerated(c2t("Op  "), c2t("SWOp"), c2t("OpSa"));
    descriptor14.putBoolean(c2t("DIDr"), DIDr);
    descriptor14.putPath(s2t("in"), in2);
    descriptor14.putEnumerated(s2t("format"), c2t("IRFm"), s2t("JPEG"));
    descriptor14.putBoolean(s2t("interfaceIconFrameDimmed"), interfaceIconFrameDimmed);
    descriptor14.putInteger(s2t("quality"), quality);
    descriptor.putObject(s2t("using"), s2t("SaveForWeb"), descriptor14);
    executeAction(s2t("export"), descriptor, DialogModes.ALL);
}

1. Copy the code text to the clipboard
2. Open a new blank file in a plain-text editor (not in a word processor)
3. Paste the code in
4. Save as a plain text format file – .txt
5. Rename the saved file extension from .txt to .jsx
6. Install or browse to the .jsx file to run (see below)

https://prepression.blogspot.com/2017/11/downloading-and-installing-adobe-scripts.html

[jonathan8_8]

Nice! You could also use generate assets, but we digress from the original point of how silly a 7-step quality slider is 🙂

[Stephen Marsh]

Nice! You could also use generate assets, but we digress from the original point of how silly a 7-step quality slider is 🙂

By @jonathan8_8 

Forgive me for being pragmatic and trying to help.  :]

Adobe introduced this for whatever reason when they created Export As/Quick Export and it is what it is I'm afraid. They are aware that it isn't loved by end users. Export As is an unfinished project as far as I'm concerned as it stands, let alone throwing out the entire JPEG export code and starting from scratch again.