Getting Around The 2 Gig Limit

I have never heard of that, but do know that if I have a large file that I need to close other programs to free up RAM and it takes a while to save.
Try merging layers of items you are finished with (control E on pc, command E on mac). This will save some space.

Nancy, yes I can always merge layers to save space and have done but there are times I just want to keep the whole hulking ginormous file with its bazillion layers intact. I don't think the file size limit is related to RAM issues because I only get the message when the file exceeds 2 gig.

not that i'm aware of. i'll make things 8bit to make it easier. once your don't adjusting you don't need the other 8bits. otherwise i'll save it large and at the end, i'll converge masks, erase layers i don't need, channels etc. all that takes up space. and then save it as a psd again.

you can also do it in many files. if you have lots of elements you can do each element in its own file then put each file into a new image. while i don't use smart layers, i think that's how they work, or how you can use them. this way you can have lots of files that are small, instead of one huge one.

---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

Kathleen, what version of Photoshop are you using? There was a known bug in v14.1.2 and earlier, that was causing this error (incorrectly!) but I believe Adobe has issued a fix for this in version 14.2. If the version of PS that you are using is something else besides v14.2 then it is very likely that it is this bug that is causing the warning to trigger, thereby preventing you from saving your file as a PSD.

1. I'd check the Adobe forums or even their support website to see if they have an update for the version of PS that you are using, which will fix this issue.
2. The issue, I recall reading in one of the forums, occurs due to the scaling on smart objects. So one other thing to look at would be to check the scaling values on the smart objects if you are using them as layers in your work.

I don't know for sure when I'm done messing with a file, even after I save a copy as jpg. I can look at something months later and see glaring issues so I like to have the layers and masks intact. I can do that with PSB files just fine so from an editing standpoint that's not an issue. It would just be more convenient if Bridge could display them. Not a huge deal though.

Sai, I'm using CS6, not CC. Not sure which version that would make PS. This is a fairly recent phenomena but I thought it's just because the cameras I'm using have larger sensors and so would be producing bigger files.

Kathleen, CS6 is v13.0, so more than likely, it is due to this bug that I've mentioned in my earlier post. I'd check Adobe's support website to see if they offer an update that would fix this automatically.

Thanks, Sai! I'll check that out and see how it goes.

Never knew there was a limit, lol. I save all my raw files to tiff after I'm done editing.

I'll call Adobe in the morning. They have a great support staff. Too tired to rummage around in their site tonight.

there is a larger tile function, but that i don't think has to do with limit sizes.


---Mike Savad
MikeSavad.com

From: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/optimize-performance-photoshop.html#main_Set_Maximize_PSD_And_PSB_File_Compatibility_to_Ask


Photoshop supports a maximum file size of 300,000 x 300,000 pixels, except for PDF files, which are limited to 30,000 x 30,000 pixels and 200 x 200 inches.

File size capability for Photoshop:
•PSD files: 2 GB
•TIFF files: 4 GB (Photoshop CS6 supports TIFF files over 4 GB)

Note: Most applications cannot work with TIFF files larger than 2 GB.
•PSB files: 4 exabytes (4096 petabytes or 4 million terabytes)
•PDF files: 10 GB (pages are limited to a maximum size of 200 inches)



uups Forgot to post a solution: There are plugins available that will show thumbnails for PSB files.

Sai, I did read that post about scaling smart objects when I did an initial search but I rarely use them. That's about the only reference I found that had a solution mentioned. I still get Adobe automatic updates so it seems like they would have addressed this if it's a bug. I'll know tomorrow.

Thanks, Aged!

Why aren't you just flattening the layers when you're done? Why are your files so large? I don't have ANYTHING that large and my original capture is 21 MB.

Rich

Rich, I do flatten them sometimes to reduce file size but a few posts above I explained why there are times when I want to leave them intact. Keep in mind when I flatten them for uploading they are within the 25MB limit.

My PSB files display in Bridge, but only a very small thumbnail. JPGs and PSDs display much larger. Not sure why, but most of my PSB are 6GB or larger. I have a couple that are around 13GB. Whenever I hear "merge layers to save space" I cringe; my layers can number into the hundreds. So if I want a large thumbnail, I make a progress pic to go with my PSB. I'd rather do that than to worry about what size my layered file is.

April, maybe I need to tell Bridge to recognize them. When I say it won't display them, it does show them as a blank thumb placeholder, just not the image itself.

Here is a discussion you might find useful.
https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1236529

I still get Adobe automatic updates so it seems like they would have addressed this if it's a bug.

Rummaging (like you said!) through the forums, it appears that the bug fix was implemented in v14.2, which I believe is the CC platform. Let us know what Adobe support tells you. It might be a good learning experience for me :).

Why aren't you just flattening the layers when you're done?

Rich, once you flatten the layers, how do you go back and retouch your photos, especially if you find something is off? How would you keep track of what retouching tools you used to get the look you wanted and perhaps adjust just one of the layers, without affecting the others? You piqued my curiosity with your comment. :)

Thanks, Aged! I made sure the file association was correct (within Bridge) then upped the file limit under Preferences/Thumbnails, purged the cache and voilà! Bridge displays the PSBs just fine. I will still contact Adobe tomorrow and ask about the size limit on PSDs just in case that can be tweaked.

Edited to add: I don't see any downside now to saving as PSBs.

Kathleen, another simple option for "seeing" the file is saving a jpeg copy with the same name and sorting your Bridge (or other viewing program) by name. They'll be right next to each other. I feel your pain, I have this issue all the time as sometimes my files have over 50 layers and easily exceed the 2 GB limit. Because I have to format into different product shapes or designs I need to have those layers to reuse in a new composition.

Why not save as TIFFs since that can be double the size?(They can also be opened in other programs with no loss or flattening)

The whole point of saving as a .psd is so that all of your editing layers are intact in case you want to change it later. Most of my stuff I don't see the need, but some I save (intricate masks, etc).

You are doing it right with the .psb, I think the limitations you have found are just the crux of using .psb.

There are no limitations with the PSB files that I know of, now that I got Bridge to display their thumbs properly. The plug-ins I use (NIK and Topaz) recognize PSBs and work just fine. I'm still going to call Adobe to see about the PSD size limitations. According to the chart that Aged Pixels posted above, TIFF files have a 4 gig limit so I might as well stick with PSBs.

Kathleen, Sai,

I've got over 3700 images here now and I can count on one hand, not using ALL my fingers, the ones that I went back and reworked! When I do most of the work on my images, I save them as a PSD and they are about 120mbs. This PSD goes back into the original folder that came off the memory card. Call it "sunflowers-backyard-7-2015". This then gets moved over to one of my external hardrives, where it stays.

Then I duplicate the original and call it "fixed copy" and that's where I do the final adjustments, effects,etc. When I run it through, say Topaz, the file is about half of the original size, maybe 12-15mbs. This is what I then upload to FAA. After I upload it, it then goes into the folder "FAA June-2015" and when it gets kinda full, then goes to the BIG file on the external HD, called FAA 2015, which will have hundreds or thousands of images,depending.

Keeping and providing storage for these huge files you guys are talking about, presents more problems then the solutions are worth.

Kathleen, HOW many images have you gone back and actually tweaked over a year or so? IF you did, WHY, what did you fix or change? Make ALL of your "Global" adjustments on your PSD and when finished, flatten and save and then make your "local" adjustments on the "fixed copy".

I think people are "over-thinking" stuff here, especially if like me, you're throwing a texture of filter over the final image,which hides a bunch of stuff.

Rich

A Born Again "Under-Thinker"!

wow, good to know that tiff's can be bigger. and yes, mike was 'smart' suggesting smart layers, which you can do in cs6.

Really, Rich? Not overthinking anything. Storage is not an issue for me. I have many 2tb external drives and everything is backed up twice. And there are many times that my files exceed the 2 gig limit while I'm still working on them. Saving as PSB allows me to continue working on them or return to them at a later time. I have many works in progress.

As far as tracking stats on the number of files I rework and how many months or years later I rework them - well that WOULD be overthinking things, lol. And no, I don't throw anything over the layered file that hides anything. Every step of my process is visible and accessible.

7 months ago I was working on a PSD in the above 2 GB area.

I have no idea now how I got away with it.

I have to say check out your preference controls. That just keeps going through my mind
reading this thread. I have upped my DRAM to 10 GB out of 16 GB. So this is kind of crazy watching
this discussion unfold.

Dave

1. Re: Photoshop CS6 & Doc Size & File Size???
sudarshan.t MVPsudarshan.t Sep 24, 2012 10:46 PM (in response to MikeKPhoto)
What you see on the left is the print size (flattened layers) and right is with layers intact.

When you save your PSD file, if you have enabled 'Maximize Compatibility' to be able to work between other versions of Photoshop, Photoshop adds a hidden flattened layer to the file, thereby doubling the filesize. If you uncheck 'Maximize Compatibility' while saving your file (you cannot preview your document elsewhere and you cannot work on a lower version of Photoshop in this case), Photoshop only saves the layers to file, ignoring the flattened version. This filesize will exactly be what you see under 'Document Sizes' in Status bar.

It's a call you have to make. If you're sure you wont be using this PSD file on a lower config system/ anywhere outside of Photoshop, you can uncheck 'Maximize Compatibility'. If you want to always disable 'Maximize Compatibility', you can goto Photoshop Preferences > File Handling > Maximize PSD & PSB File Compatibility - Never (See screenshot below).

/threadjack

I never understood the need for saving as PSDs as, unless you use a plugin that can read that format, it's only good for Adobe software. Big ol' hefty TIFF works great and can be seen by everything (except FAA. lol).
/end threadjack

You can call Adobe and talk to a real person? I thought they stopped doing that. If you get a hold of someone will you post a phone number?

Louise, I don't mind threadjacks. I do it all the time!

But at any rate this was never about trying to reduce the file size. I am aware of many ways to do that. The OP was asking if there was a way to save PSD files that were larger than 2 gig. Apparently TIFF limit is 4 gig.

The only reason I wanted to find out if larger files could be saved as PSDs is that I couldn't see the PSB thumbnails displayed in Bridge. Since I resolved that issue I have no problem continuing to save big files as PSBs. PSBs have a 4 exabytes (4096 petabytes or 4 million terabytes) limit? Woo hoo!

My plug-ins work fine with that format. If I ever use a plug-in or other third-party program that doesn't recognize PSBs it's simple enough to duplicate the file, flatten some layers, convert to PSD and go on my merry way.

@ Kathleen Bishop
PSB files have a limit of 4 million terabytes. So you should be alright for a while :)

Rich, the cost of external storage is negligible and has presented no problems for me.

Louise, layered TIFFs require more available RAM than layered PSDs do. Not that it's a huge concern for most newer computers, but it was a major consideration at one time.

Debra, I just confirmed that I can't get phone support for CS6. Guess it's been a while since I talked with them. My problem has been solved so it was more out of curiosity to see if there is a PSD workaround for the 2 gig limit.

April,

Not questioning storage, but creation of ALL this work. working on HUGE images, slows everything down and then saved and the vast majority of these images will never be "touched" again, assuming the original work was complete.

I just can't think "why" people would go back and work on these huge files. I've got 3700 images here now and if each had that many files, probably less than a 1,000 would be uploaded. Investing ALL this time can keep the artist from producing more, not better images.

I'm just proposing that there are other ways to end up with great images, than creating these huge files, I do. The time spent on the keyboard, is less time out creating or even editing for that matter.

On my Car stuff, I remove telephone lines, posts, people, bugs, street signs,etc. and then I save that file as the "master" or fixed file and work on the copy, doing "local" adjustments and then flatten that file, and it's usually 12-15 mbs form the original capture of 21 mbs.

I DO have a few files, when I was first learning this Photoshop stuff and soome might be 200-500 MBS, but I've never gone back and opened them for anything!

Just another way to look at this and still would like to hear from ANYONE that consistently goes back and opens any of these huge files and why,

Rich

http://www.yodot.com/psd-repair/photoshop-cannot-save-file-more-than-2gb.html

Read the tips in the yellow box as well as.....

That said I must have turned to the PSB format.

Dave

Thanks for the info, Dave! This thread has provided answers to all my questions and issues. What a great community we have here!