PSD layout files...

[lizzyfizzy]

your not going to believe this, but I have every layout i've ever done still saved as a layered PSD file on my computer.

per shannon...i need to flatten those and save as 300dpi 12x12 files.

how in sam heck do i do this? why don't i know this? are you surprised i don't?

anywho...anyone wanna make me an action so i can delete those layered files?

p.s. i use PSE 5. :D

[ditzyscrap]

LOL, I should create one and throw it in the shop...I bet a bunch of people would use something like that! ;)

I had to resize/save a bunch of layouts to print them and I created an action and from there created a droplet so that from now on all I have to do is drop the droplet file into a folder and it does that action on ALL the layouts inside. Score! :D

[Misty Cato]

What? You can resize layouts and post them to a gallery, but can't save them flattened? I'm confused? :confused: You are one funny girl :)

Layer->Flatten
File->Save

[SeattleSheri]

Lizzy, I just use the "save as" option when I have my .psd open and then use the drop down to select .jgp ... voile -- flattened/saved file! I like to keep my .psd file separate from my .jpg (vs converting it) so I never flatten ... I'm too worried I will want to change something later, lol.

Bree, what's a droplet? Is it the same as batch processing?

[jessica31876]

I dont use PSE but all I do is just merge visible layers or merge all then save as JPEG. Should be something like that for PSE too

[lizzyfizzy]

ya, but when i flatten for web ready it decreases my dpi...correct? i want to save as 300 dpi and i don't know how. :) yes...bree. make. action. quick.

[SamaraGugler]

File
>Save as:
>>Then select jpg as your file extension.

I label my layouts like this.

Our Boy.psd (this is the layered file)
Our Boy-Large (this is a 12x12 in., 300 ppi file)
Our Boy-web (this is my 600x600 px, 72 ppi file)

[lizzyfizzy]

i don't get those options to save, samara. :( when i do save as jpeg i get save as large file or small file. it doesn't ask me what dpi i want.

[bellbird425]

Lizzy, I just use the "save as" option when I have my .psd open and then use the drop down to select .jgp ... voile -- flattened/saved file! I like to keep my .psd file separate from my .jpg (vs converting it) so I never flatten ... I'm too worried I will want to change something later, lol.

Bree, what's a droplet? Is it the same as batch processing?

that's the method i use too - i really have to delete all my layered PSD files though - i never go back to them really and i save them as jpegs as soon as i finish - i so need to cull them to make room for more kits

[lizzyfizzy]

Lizzy, I just use the "save as" option when I have my .psd open and then use the drop down to select .jgp ... voile -- flattened/saved file!

k, but how do i know that it is 300 dpi?

[Libby Pritchett]

LOL! Dude, Lizzy, you are making this way too hard. ;) If you go to Save As and choose JPG, it's 300dpi. No need to take the extra step of flattening.

It's only if you do "save for web" that it changes it to 72dpi. I save my layouts like on "9" in the little scale for small/med/large, and they always print beautifully at full size. :)

You can always try it (you aren't saving over your PSD), and then open up that file and check the image size just for your peace of mind.

[lizzyfizzy]

dude. i am a believer, but my crappy little pse program doesn't give me the options like these ballers have. if you say save at 9, i'll save at 9. i got it. done. see...now where were you 4 hours ago?

[Libby Pritchett]

bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Sorry to have let you down, Fizzster. I'll do my best to be around to answer any further questions that may arise. ;)

Seriously though, that should work for you. I usually save my PSD just until I print my layouts (simply because I never notice typos until AFTER they're printed -- when my dh points them out. LOL!). Once I have them printed, I delete the PSD and just save my flattened JPG.

[lizzyfizzy]

now i am on layout 4 of 90 something layouts...this wont take long. sweet!

[MyEbella]

yup file save as, jpg
I save at the 10 option...

I too delete the psd file after printing...
and I don't normally go back and fix typos either... leave it as is!

[SeattleSheri]

Lizzy, don't worry about the DPI/PPI, only the finite number of pixels matter. If you have a layout that is 3600x3600 pixels (the standard size for all papers that come with scrap kits) it's automatically going to have enough pixels (data) to support 300 DPI/PPI (300 x 12" = 3600). Like Libby said, save for the web is used only when you want to optimize for web viewing, since standard screen resolution is 72 DPI.

DPI/PPI is an OUTPUT measure, so it's the resolution you choose when you go to print. Basically, you determine how you want the pixels you have to be distributed during printing. For example, if you have a 3600x3600 document, it can be printed at 12x12" at 300 DPI, 16x16" at 225 DPI, 8x8 at 450 DPI, 6x6 at 600 DPI, etc ..... the document itself doesn't change, the size you want to print just determines how closely spaced (compressed) the pixels will be. The more pixels you have, the sharper the image, that's why if you try to print photos from a camera with 2MP, you can't print large images without losing lots of quality. Clear as mud? lol

[Darcy Baldwin]

I do the same thing, Fizz...I only keep the layered files (and they are saved as TIFF files, not PSD) until I've printed the layout, then they get tossed. I keep a flattened full size in my files in case I ever need to reprint for some reason.

If you're concerned about not removing the layered version, consider just converting them to .tiff. You'll save a ton of room - probably up to half of what you are currently using in the .psd format.

(sorry - haven't read the other responses)

[schock77]

I'm going back to all of my PSD files and saving as TIFs too (thanks Mturnidge for the tip) to save on storage but still have layers. I look back at some of my layouts and think "ew!" Anyway, I'm also using PSE5 but thinking about DLing the CS4 trial... it IS XMAS time right? :)

Thanks for your question though Lizzy because I'm wanting to print out some LOs too and want to be sure they look their best.

[SirScrapalot]

File
>Save as:
>>Then select jpg as your file extension.

I label my layouts like this.

Our Boy.psd (this is the layered file)
Our Boy-Large (this is a 12x12 in., 300 ppi file)
Our Boy-web (this is my 600x600 px, 72 ppi file)

I do this too, but I am going to start purging the psd files of the layouts I have printed.

[ditzyscrap]

Bree, what's a droplet? Is it the same as batch processing?
Yeah, I think it's the same thing...but this way you just drag/drop the actual action file into a folder and it goes about doing your work for you. I've never done batch processing except for like renaming files, lol.

[my4boys]

I never save PSD files unless I stop working on something and need to go back and finish.......I do however only save my lo's at 500 x 500 / 72 dpi and usually at around 8. If I know I am gonna print it at 12 x 12 then I save it at full size but I mostly print them 8 x 8 anyway. I prolly will regret doing this but nothin I can do about it now!!!!!