5 Messages
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368 Points
Thu, Sep 22, 2011 7:31 PM
Answered
Photoshop: How did I get a flattened PSD after saving PDF?
So I'm not going to rage. I really want to. But I won't. I'm using Photoshop CS 5.5 (Windows). I was on the sixth version of a high fidelity Website mockup. The client asked that I provide them the design in PDF format. So from within the .PSD file, I select "Save As" and choose PDF as the format. I complete the PDF wizard and all seemed good.
No. Apparently, when you save as a PDF, it turns the PSD file you actively have open into a PDF? I noticed that the file type changed to PDF from PSD on the tab. "That's stupid," I thought. "I'll just change it back to a PSD, since I've made a few modifications since I saved it last."
You know, in Dreamweaver when you execute a "Save As", it opens the new file in its own tab. Just a thought.
Maybe my next choice was wrong, but it seemed instinctive to me. I decided to "Save As" again, but this time as a PSD file. I still had my layers in tact, so I didn't think there would be a problem.
I close out the file. When I open the PSD file back up just a few minutes ago, it's COMPLETELY FLATTENED. GONE. MY WORK IS GONE. Awesome. Thank you.
No. Apparently, when you save as a PDF, it turns the PSD file you actively have open into a PDF? I noticed that the file type changed to PDF from PSD on the tab. "That's stupid," I thought. "I'll just change it back to a PSD, since I've made a few modifications since I saved it last."
You know, in Dreamweaver when you execute a "Save As", it opens the new file in its own tab. Just a thought.
Maybe my next choice was wrong, but it seemed instinctive to me. I decided to "Save As" again, but this time as a PSD file. I still had my layers in tact, so I didn't think there would be a problem.
I close out the file. When I open the PSD file back up just a few minutes ago, it's COMPLETELY FLATTENED. GONE. MY WORK IS GONE. Awesome. Thank you.
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JeffreyTranberry
Adobe Administrator
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15.9K Messages
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295.2K Points
9 years ago
If you go back to the File menu, Save is disabled. You have to choose "Save As..."
When you do, the format is set to Photoshop PDF (Note that Save: "Layers" is unchecked with a ! warning symbol):
If I change the Format pop-up to "Photoshop" note that Save: "Layers" is still unchecked with a ! warning symbol:
If I save the file now, yes, the resulting PSD will not have layers. If you address the options/warnings, and check "Layers" then save the file, the resulting file will retain the layers.
Are you saying, that if you ensure that "Layers" is checked at this point and save the file the resulting file has no layers? I haven't been able to reproduce that.
Sr. Product Manager, Adobe Digital Imaging
3
chris_cox_2148894
15.1K Messages
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195.8K Points
9 years ago
When you saved the PSD, you had to have chosen to not save layer data, or you flattened the document and forgot about it before saving.
Saving as PDF doesn't flatten the document, nor does it change the document.
1
ted_garrett
1 Message
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80 Points
9 years ago
Edit: I also forgot to explain that the reason i have to UN-check "Preserving Photoshop Edibility" while saving a PDF because it makes a smaller file size for uploading to print services who have file size limits.
0
robert_asaad
2 Messages
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100 Points
9 years ago
There's only one guaranteed solution that works...
1) Before saving to a PDF, duplicate your PSD file
2) Open the PSD duplicate
3) Save as PDF
4) Close
5) Delete PSD duplicate
0
0
robert_asaad
2 Messages
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100 Points
9 years ago
There's only one guaranteed solution that works...
1) Before saving to a PDF, duplicate your PSD file
2) Open the PSD duplicate
3) Save as PDF
4) Close
5) Delete PSD duplicate
0
0
aaron_nagucki
1 Message
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80 Points
9 years ago
If this was too harsh for you I'm sorry, I have another Idea that you will actually like. Every time you are going to save something as a PDF, go to your history panel of your PSD. Take a snapshot and then save. Also, every time you are finished with an awesome photoshop file, take a snap shot with your history menu camera. Name these snapshots as "pre-PDF" and "post-awesomeness". This way if you open your psd and it's flattened, you can click one of your snapshots and get back to work with layers. It's unfortunate that there isn't a magic genie to turn a flat psd or pdf into a layered file, but hey, you can never have too many snapshots. I hope this helps
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0
a_dobe
1 Message
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60 Points
9 years ago
The following does NOT have to do with saving as a PDF.
It pertains to basic saving a PS file as a PSD.
Over the last few years with PS CS 3, I have had this problem on a periodic basis: when re-visiting a saved PSD file, the layers have mysteriously flattened. The age of the files does not seem to matter. Whether they are several years old or recent files, this flattening of layers can happen.
Here are my questions:
1. Can my PS possibly be corrupt? If so, is the best solution to delete the program and re-install?
2. Could my computer have a glitch? Perhaps it's not sending proper
signals to PS to save with all layers remaining intact?
FYI: I have had multiple problems with my MacBook Pro over the last 4 years. The problems included multiple freezing / crashes and repetitive / sticky keys. Many times, the problems would occur after intensive PS editing. The Apple folks could never figure it out. After I got a new battery, things seem to have improved. I also run my Disk Utility more regularly now.
3. Please review the steps for careful saving so that the PS layers
really do remain intact. Maybe I have carelessly skipped an important step when I have saved certain images.
4. Please provide troubleshooting tips regarding which Dialog box items
to UNcheck, to make sure that the layers stay intact.
Thanks ahead of time for your assistance.
4
0
fred_hosenilla
1 Message
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50 Points
9 years ago
0
0
kenjyi_yos
2 Messages
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150 Points
8 years ago
1
stephen_lavallee
2 Messages
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92 Points
8 years ago
Seriously, if I'm saving a psd and I'm about to lose my layers, Photoshop should punch me in the skull before it lets me do that. When would I EVER want to lose all my layers in a psd?
3
marte_thomson
4 Messages
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80 Points
8 years ago
0
0
r_b_5208114
1 Message
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60 Points
8 years ago
Isn't that the function of "Save As"? To create another file of another type???
You're saying that it doesn't flatten the psd file automatically but here's the thing:
-I SAVED AS pdf, with the Editing Capabilities unchecked because I intend to have a separate working PSD file for that.
-After that, with all the layers still visible (and seemingly untouched in my Layers window), I SAVED AS again, this time as a PSD file to make sure I have a workable file with workable layers.
-At this point I assumed I already have a separate PDF and PSD file, in different locations in my computer.
- Then it showed a dialog box saying I haven't saved the file with layers something something and if I would like to save the file in a workable format. I chose NO because, less than a minute ago, I saved a PSD file of my work (needless to say the layers WERE there in the Layers window when I did).
-Now when I opened the PSD file...tah-dah! IT'S FLATTENED.
So what the f-ing h is going on?
1
0
abbott_fleur
1 Message
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100 Points
8 years ago
I have had this issue before, and always try to keep the files separate, but I'm not a machine...I expect the software I'm using to not put me into this position.
1
bill_cts
2 Messages
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90 Points
7 years ago
I get reminded that something will save with COPY appended to the file name. I get asked if I want to maximize compatibility... And someone above has the temerity to lead with the comment "it is user error"?
Bad on me for not realizing that everything is protected with redundancies and warning prompts EXCEPT for the nifty feature where the Save as PDF and Self Destruct functions go together into one button with NO prompt...
Terrible job allowing this to occur.
Thank you to the consumer advocate saying there is some confusion here.. there sure is. I truly hope some one in development makes certain this never happens to anyone again...
2
mojo_potatoes
2 Messages
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90 Points
7 years ago
After some testing it is clear that it has to do with saving a psd as a pdf and unchecking "preserve editing capabilities" then wanting to resave the file as a PSD again. This is frustrating to say the least. I'm glad it happened on something I can recreate within half an hour but saddened to see there is no fix or a way of restoring a previous copy.
0