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Posted on 10/07/22 8:57:41 PM
DavidMac
Director of Photoshop
Posts: 4903

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What is the point of PSD and PSB files?
I am working on a very large image at the moment, and have worked on more than a few in the past.

Many of them need to be saved as PSB files as they are too large for the usual PSD.

I have done a lot of internet research on PSD and PSB files and this is what I have learned:

The differences are:

PSD files have a 2GB file size limit, and can save images of 30,000 x 30,000 px or 900 mpx.

PSB files don't appear to have a stated file size limit but can save images of ten times the size - 300,000 x 300,000 or 9000 mpx.

Both are native Photoshop file types used to save Photoshop Projects.

Each saves layers, file info, transparency, and all other aspects of your project.

Both are primarily used in Photoshop but can be used across other editing software.

PSD files are the default save option, while PSB must be manually chosen in the Format menu.

Both save the same detailed image information. The only difference appears to be capacity.

Which brings to my question - why bother? Why not just PSB or an upgraded PSD?

It is possible that the reason is historical. The need for such high capacity PSB files came long after the original PSD but, if the only difference is capacity, why complicate things with two file types when they both save the same information? Why not simply upgrade PSD instead of introducing a new extension?

Does anyone know more about this?

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The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it .......

Posted on 11/07/22 3:59:48 PM
Steve Caplin
Administrator
Posts: 6825

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Re: What is the point of PSD and PSB files?
.psb is also the internal file format - so if you double-click a Smart Object, it will open as a .psb file.

I think the main reason for the difference is greater compatibility with both older versions of Photoshop and, say, After Effects or InDesign imports.

Posted on 11/07/22 5:17:12 PM
DavidMac
Director of Photoshop
Posts: 4903

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Re: What is the point of PSD and PSB files?
Steve Caplin wrote:
.psb is also the internal file format - so if you double-click a Smart Object, it will open as a .psb file.

I think the main reason for the difference is greater compatibility with both older versions of Photoshop and, say, After Effects or InDesign imports.


Yes I noticed that .psb was the internal smart object format too, which sort of makes things even more baffling as to why keep .psd. I also tried a small test and saved a few different files of different sizes and complexity in both formats and the file size is the same so there's not a difference in compression or efficiency between the two.

I suspect you are right. It may well be that .psd is readable/writable by other Adobe apps where .psb may not be. I don't think it is to keep access available by external apps as Adobe has always seemed to try and keep things well within its own exclusive Adobeverse.

The good thing is that because I regularly use both it would seem that I don't have to remember to keep switching back and forth and can simply use .psb except when I know I want other apps to open it.

Thanks Steve.

_________________
The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it .......
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