why are my files SOOOOO huge in PSCS2?!??!

[cindys732003]

I recently switched from PS 6 to PSCS2 and my PSD files are SOOOO huge now! So as a result when I am saving the file as a jpeg I totally have to reduce the quality of the file to make the filesize work for posting. Now the web versions look like crap LOL. Any ideas on what is going on, or how I can reduce the file size of my layered files? TIA!

[ColleenSwerb]

I've always used CS2, so I don't know the difference. This is what I do though:
http://www.jessicasprague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=417:resizing-your-layout-for-display-on-the-web&catid=25:general-photoshop-tips&Itemid=92

ETA:I scale to 15% for web size, which is 540x540, 16.6667% is 602x602 for shoppe/ad previews (I change it to 600x600 when I go to "save for web").

[ditzyscrap]

Here's a couple tips to keep your file sizes down:

Crop the whole layout before you save it...just drag the crop tool right across your whole layout. The layers that are outside of the actual canvas area make the files WAY bigger than they need to be.

Delete any extra layers that you don't need (like if you have them hidden or whatever).

If you are using clipping masks, merge the masks instead of just leaving the full 12x12 paper clipped to the layer below (the file still has to "keep" the full paper/photo file, it's just hiding part of it).

As for saving for web, what I do is merge all the layers first (I use PSCS2), image resize to 600x600, then Save For Web and tell it to optimize to filesize (it's one of the options in there) of 150kb.

[ColleenSwerb]

Yea I do pretty much all the stuff Bree says too :) Except the last part about saving where I do what I posted. :p

[CA Dreamer]

Wow, Bree, You are one smart lady!:thumbup:

[cindys732003]

Thanks for the tips ladies!!! :) I will try them out! :)

[Megan Turnidge]

Cindy, save your layered files as TIF rather than PSD... they are much smaller... sometimes half the size.