Large file size even after I delete all layers?

[josephr19774008]

Hi Everyone, I received PSDs a contractor and I'd like to shrink the PSD file size. I pretty much when through this thing with a fine tooth comb to delete any layer that wasn't needed. I was able to drop the size from 200mbs to about 50mbs. I'd like to go lower so this will run on creative cloud with no issues. Just for the heck of it I tried deleting different groups to see how much lower I could possibly get it. each group I deleted only dropped it maybe 2mbs. Out of curiosity I was like let me delete every layer and see what happens. I saved 9mbs. So a completely blank PSD was 41mbs. I went further and created another PSD at the same specs with no layers and it came out to 530kbs. What's in this PSD that's causing it to be so large? I tried checking to see if she saved any paths or channels but there was nothing in there. I'd reall appreciate it if anyone could help me figure this out.

Thanks!

-Joe

[Mylenium]

We can't know without seeing your document and understanding its structure by ways of screenshots of the layers palette. PS generates a lot of redundant rasterized data even with dynamic stuff like e.g. layer styles, especially when using maximum compatibility settings. Conversely, any layer mask or custom channel contributes extra pixel data that may be difficult to compress due to how it's used. Same for complex layer blending operations, smart objects, embedded 3D objects and what have you. at the same time, things like color modes influence file sizes - CMYK files almost always are more chunky than RGB. There's just an endless number of things that affect this stuff. With all that said, your file size is probably perfectly normal for what you want, so perhaps think about simply signing up to a more reliable cloud storage service with better quotas than CC... These days it's easy enough to get terabytes and terabytes for free just by signing up to a few different providers.

Mylenium

[Stephen Marsh · Accepted solution]

Without seeing the file it is hard to know, however from your description it sounds like it might be bloat from excessive photoshop:DocumentAncestors metadata:

Prepression: Metadata Bloat – photoshop:DocumentAncestors

[josephr19774008]

You are awesome! Thank you so much Stephen_A_Marsh! This fixed my issue I had a feeling it was meta data, but no idea how to clear it. ExifTool worked perfectly.

Thanks again you are the man!