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A
Anonymous
September 25, 2020
Answered

Saved image as a JPG now all my layers are gone

  • September 25, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 3495 views

I saved my work as a JPEG and then when I go to open it all my layers had combine into one and now i can't edit it because everything got put together. Is there anyway to open it as a JPEG, with all my layers seperate? 

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    Correct answer Per Berntsen

    Saving as jpg will not overwrite the original PSD.

    Go to File > Open recent. It should be listed there if this happened recently.

     

    3 replies

    Per Berntsen
    Community Expert
    Per BerntsenCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    October 7, 2022

    Saving as jpg will not overwrite the original PSD.

    Go to File > Open recent. It should be listed there if this happened recently.

     

      Dan Rodney
      Community Expert
      Dan RodneyCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 25, 2020

      When saving a file, there's a Layers checkbox in the options. You'll notice for some formats (such as JPEG) that layers cannot be checked because they do not support layers (and it even puts a yellow alert icon as a warning). Only a few formats actually support layers. It's best to save your work file as a Photoshop document (PSD).

      — Adobe Certified Expert & Instructor at Noble Desktop | Web Developer, Designer, InDesign Scriptor
      A
      Anonymous
      September 25, 2020

      Is there anyway I can convert my JPG file into a photoshop file? 

      Dan Rodney
      Community Expert
      Dan RodneyCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 25, 2020

      When you open any kind of file (JPEG or other) and start working, creating layers, etc. you can then do a File > Save As and make it a Photoshop file (PSD). In your case if you have a flat JPEG, saving it as a Photoshop file will not magically bring back the layers you once had (they are not in the JPEG to begin with), but if you remake your layers you could at least keep them moving forward.

      — Adobe Certified Expert & Instructor at Noble Desktop | Web Developer, Designer, InDesign Scriptor
      Nancy OShea
      Community Expert
      Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 25, 2020

      No, that's not possible.  JPG is a flat file.  It does not support layers. To maintain layers, save images as native PSD (Photoshop) or TIF files.  Always keep your native files in case you ever need to edit them.  Make copies in JPG for use in projects requiring JPG.  Ditto for PNG.

       

      [Moving from Using the Community to Photoshop.]

       

      Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
        Sheehan72
        Sheehan72
        Inspiring
        October 7, 2022

        This doesn't seem to be universally true. My students (high schoolers) seem to have found a way. They turn in a .jpg and when I open it, all of the layers are there. They are not tech savvy enough to be able to recreate their steps, but I have not been able to figure out why that happens. Thoughts?

        TheDigitalDog
        TheDigitalDog
        Inspiring
        October 7, 2022

        Can you provide us with an example of a JPEG with layers? Upload to something like Dropbox. 

        Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
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