Saving image files

Graphic file formats differ in the way they represent image data (as pixels or vectors), in compression techniques, and which Photoshop features they support. To preserve all the Photoshop features in your edited image (layers, effects, masks, styles, and so forth), it’s best to save a copy of your image in Photoshop format (PSD). Like most file formats, PSD can only support files up to 2 GB in size. In Photoshop, if you are working with document files larger than 2 GB, you can save your image in the Large Document Format (PSB), Photoshop Raw (flattened image only), or TIFF (up to 4 GB in size only).

Note: The DICOM format also supports files larger than 2 GB.

You can save 16‑bits-per-channel images only in the following formats using the Save As command: Photoshop, Photoshop PDF, Photoshop Raw, Large Document Format (PSB), Cineon, PNG, and TIFF. When using the Save For Web & Devices command with a 16‑bits-per-channel image, Photoshop automatically converts the image from 16 bits per channel to 8 bits per channel.

You can save 32‑bits-per-channel images only in the following formats using the Save As command: Photoshop, Large Document Format (PSB), OpenEXR, Portable bitmap, Radiance, and TIFF.

You can use the following commands to save images:

Save: Saves changes you’ve made to the current file. The file is saved in the current format.
Save As: Saves an image in a different location or under another filename. The Save As command lets you save an image in a different format and with different options.
Check In: Lets you save different versions of a file and comment on each. This command is available for an image that is managed by a Version Cue Workspace.
If you’re working with a file from an Adobe Version Cue project, the document title bar provides additional information about the status of the file.
Save For Web & Devices: Save an optimized image for the web and devices.