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jacquilynw
jacquilynw
Known Participant
February 6, 2012
Question

How to stop adding " copy" to file names?

  • February 6, 2012
  • 26 replies
  • 60620 views

First off, I don't mind the save as a copy feature. If I have a psd file with layers and smart objects and such, and I Save As > JPG, I don't want the jpg open, I want the psd open. I like how PS does that behavior, but I don't like how that jpg gets " copy" added to it's file name. Yes it's easy to remove, but I'm using a batch action on over 300 pictures, I don't feel like renaming 300 jpg's. Yes it's supposed to be a safety net, but I basically never work from jpg's as original's, and if for some reason I do, I set them as read only and copy the files off to a safe location, so I don't need it.

I know it's possible because my old school's computers with photoshop CS5 never saved jpg's with copy in the file name. So, how do I stop PS CS5 from adding copy to my file names? Because I need photoshop to not add copy to my file names on my work computer (and it's my old school, can't use their computers or ask someone why it's like that).

    26 replies

    Devrim İlke Kırca
    Devrim İlke Kırca
    Participant
    June 28, 2021

    any solution for may 2021 update save as copy change? it adds "copy" to the file name every time :[

    Luis Guggenberger
    Luis Guggenberger
    Participant
    August 31, 2021

    Just found it out. They changed the shortcuts with the latest version. Go to keyboard shortcuts and menus and change it back to Save As.. instead of the default which is now Save a Copy...

     

     

    Luis Guggenberger
    Luis Guggenberger
    Participant
    August 31, 2021

    haha but then you cannot select jpg anymore! I changed the shortcut to quick export jpg now under file/export

    S
    sharper.seabest
    Participant
    May 21, 2021

    I hate this new update with "copy" being added to the file name! It just adds another step. I liked it better when all options were under one scroll bar. It seems updates lately just make things worse not better. Argh. Hopefully they can update this again to where we turn that off preferences or something (to opt out of the additional word) I prefer to name as I go. It is already a different file with the ".jpg" ".psd" etc at the end so its not saving over. I dont get the logic behind it.  If anyone knows a way I can turn that off I would be forever grateful. Thx

      K
      kipc32304124
      Participant
      March 20, 2018

      Using Photoshop CC (19.1.0 release)....

      What I found is this:

      When working on a JPG file I create one or more additional layers.

      Then, I choose "File -> Save As..." (cmd + shift + S) and select file type of JPG.

      If I do that, then the checkbox for "Save as Copy" becomes automatically checked, and greyed out.

      If you want, you can manually backspace the " copy" that got appended and then it will let you save over the file anyway.

      It will still prompt you to confirm if you really want to overwrite the file.

      OR....

      Instead if I first flatten the image, and then just do a "File -> Save" (cmd + S), then it allows me to save over the image without prompting first.

      (or cmd + shift + E for "Merge Visible," since there is no keyboard shortcut for Flatten Image.... )

        user6666
        user6666
        Participating Frequently
        February 22, 2018

        Sorry for necroposting (but this thread is the first result in Google, so hopefully it'll be helpful for someone else), but converting to 8bit RGB & flattening sometimes doesn't work.

        I found a stupid, but simple workaround.

        Create and save preset for "New file" dialog with 72ppi / RGB / 8bit / transparent background

        Record the action to:

        - flatten image

        - select everything

        - copy

        - create new document with a preset you've created earlier

        - paste

        - save as... ("as a copy" checkbox should be active now - untick it)

        - close that new document

        - undo (to un-flatten your original image)

        This worked for me.

        Roundblackvinyl
        Roundblackvinyl
        Participant
        November 23, 2016

        I was able to fix this same  problem today.  It turned out the files I was processing were saved as 16 bit.  I resaved them as 8 bit and ran my action set and it did not include the copy tag.

        Hope this helps.

        Check to see if your workspace is running in 16 bit. 

        H
        hbimage
        Participating Frequently
        November 2, 2016

        I have had the same problem as well and it has been driving me nuts as I frequently use Batch to process large quantities of images. I finally found the solution. INTEGRATE A FLATTEN COMMAND IN YOUR ACTION. Make sure to use an image that is not flattended when recording, otherwise this command will not be an option.

        When you use the Batch command after this, it should not add copy to your file name - which of course disrupts the work flow.

        F
        fgallery2
        Known Participant
        November 2, 2016

        Yes, the flatten action works well at times but since I work in 16-bit Adobe color, Photoshop still insists on a "copy" when you are saving an 8-bit sRGB file.  I don't understand this.  Anytime it's a .jpg it IS a copy and it can be re-created.  If I'm saving a copy of another .PSD file then by all means add the "copy". 

        H
        hbimage
        Participating Frequently
        November 3, 2016

        I just tested out your scenario, generating both Adobe RGB and sRGB in 8 and 16 bit files and you are right. It's smooth sailing as long as it is a flattened 8 bit file. When dealing with 16 bit files, it will include the "copy" in the file name.

        It doesn't make any sense.

        B
        barryjeff1812
        Participating Frequently
        August 11, 2016

        First, let me apologize if I missed someone else posting this same answer. Depending on your workflow, a reasonable workaround, albeit not a real solution, is to create and output your modified files to a sub-folder (created first by hand). With the copy option unchecked, the action will output files with their original names without "copy" appended. After processing you can then select and copy them back to your original working folder.

        ...Barry

        jeffbushdesign
        jeffbushdesign
        Participant
        July 9, 2016

        After clicking clicking File > Automate > Batch... look for a checkbox inside the Batch dialog box that says 'Override Action "Save As" Commands', make sure this checkbox is activated. Now even though there's a Save As step within your action (which was necessary for you to specify that the file be saved as a jpeg) it will just be saved and the old file will be updated and saved with whatever steps were in your action.

          hayaboy
          hayaboy
          Participant
          August 27, 2015

          There's no way to save a JPEG file as 16-bit because the format doesn't support 16-bit. So before you save your 16-bit images as jpg you have to convert them to 8-bit....easy

          aTomician
          aTomician
          Inspiring
          March 10, 2016

          So...   I've been outputting a load of images in preparation for web use.  And I know that this " copy" annotation occurs, there's no bug, it just happens whenever I save down anything to a single layer file using the Batch Automate command.  Today I needed to output a load of files for a web project, so file names needed to be exact.  After a quick google, I came across this discussion...  and quickly decided that the quickest way to do this was using an external program to rename the files, instead of spending hours giong through options and menu's and testing different methods in Photoshop.

          I used the batch automate to convert a folder full of PSD's, Jpg's, PNG's and TIFF's into a folder full of JPG's - all with the " copy" added onto the file name.  I downloaded and ran "Bulk Rename Utility" (google it if you want it, comes straight up), selected the folder, typed " copy" into the Find section, and left the Replace With section blank...

          Hey presto!  I had quickly and easily corrected all my filenames, without any scripting, timewasting, photoshop-menu-digging etc!!

          I know it's not exactly the answer to the problem, but it's another way around it and I thought I'd recommend it as a simple, easy, and pretty much fail-safe solution to this problem.  Hope it helps.

          Tom

          Regards, aTomician
          lucat34520157
          lucat34520157
          Participant
          August 5, 2015

          It happens to me when I record an action in an open .psd file to save as .jpg in another folder, and then close the .psd file.

          The first one (recorded) works without adding "copy" at the end of the file name.

          But if I replay the action on other .psd files, then it adds the "copy" string at the end and it doesn't add the ".jpg" extension too... pretty weird.

          I managed to make it work by recording the action once and then using the File > Automation > Batch... for all the other files using these properties:

          Action: your recorded action for saving .jpg

          Source: open files

          Destination: folder (choose yours)

          "Override action "save as" command": checked

          Filename: default (file name and extension)

          Hope it helps!

          Kudos

            J
            jjjhixon
            Known Participant
            August 9, 2015

            Great!  That works for me.  Thanks for finding this solution to the issue.

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