'maximum file compatibility'?

[Heather White]

Sometimes when I’m re-linking or placing layered .psd files in InDesign (cs5, PC), I get this error:

 

“This image was saved in Photoshop without maximum file compatibility. To speed up performance, save the image from Photoshop with the maximum compatibility preference enabled, and then import it. Do you want to place this image anyway?”

 

I’ve ignored it in the past, but today I got curious.

 

Went into photoshop, and when I save the file, there’s not option regarding ‘maximum file compatibility’. So I dug into preferences. The only option I find there is under ‘file handling’. In there, under file compatibility, there’s ‘Maximize PSD and PSB Compatibility’, and I’m already set to ‘ALWAYS’.

 

So what gives? Is there something I’m missing? What does it all mean?

 

Thanks!

 

-heather

 

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[Bret Perry]

This error message can mean one of two things.

1. You may have actually saved the file without Maximum file compatibility -- this is an option that is offered only the FIRST time you save a file. To confirm, do a "Save-as", After choosing the save location, you should get a second warning box "Photoshop Format Options" -- check the box that says "Maximize Compatibility" (this increases file size, but saves a composite preview of the file that is compatible with much earlier versions of Photoshop) I always turn this on.

If you don't get the second warning, make sure you have not disabled the dialog, go to Preferences, File Handling, File compatibility -- Set Maximize PSD and PSB File Compatibility to "Ask"

2. More likely, this error happens if you have placed the file with Layer Options (allowing you to turn different PSD layers on or off when placing the file). If the layers have been altered, renamed or new layers added or if it has been saved with different layers turned on compared to when you placed it, InDesign will give the Maximum file compatibility warning… but what it really means is check to be sure the layers you want are turned on in InDesign …. You can check with Object menu … Object layer options… often in this case you get the error for no "real" reason, ID often gets confused about Layer Options.

 

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Bret Perry
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[Heather White]

a-ha! Option 2 is it!

 

Thanks for your great info.

 

-heather

[Bret Perry]

Good! 

And for anyone following along I should have mentioned that opt 1 is in Photoshop and option 2 in InDesign.

[Mike Witherell]

What, really, is the use of switching on “Maximum File Compatibility”. Off or on, always or never, the files have always worked in InDesign and Illustrator for me. Is this not really a vestige of the ancient migration from Photoshop 2 to Photoshop 3? Or does it have some importance that I have overlooked?

 

Mike Witherell

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[Bret Perry]

Really, it is for opening files in versions of Photoshop that do not support layers (PS 3?)

So not too many of us need to worry.

But “Maximum File Compatibility” does add a composite preview, so using it should make preview generation faster.

No real need for it in InDesign, your mileage with other, less savy apps may vary.

So it's more of a belt & suspenders deal -- better safe than sorry but in general no worries.