Maximize Compatibility: Current wisdom

[Doug_Katz@adobeforums.com]

After an initial explosion of posts when this Save option first appeared, we don't talk about it much. There was the initial concern about increased file size; there was the issue of "backward compatibility" (which some of our most esteemed here thought was a pseudo issue); and there was a little confusion about the relationship between this option and the "Generating composite" message when saving more complex files.

So what's the current practice? As a general rule are you maximizing compatibility or deselecting this option? And how come?

[Ramón_G_Castañeda@adobeforums.com]

I'm maximizing, always. Storage space is not the issue it was once.

[Doug_Katz@adobeforums.com]

But why, Ramón? To place these images in applications that don't support PS layers? That would make sense. Because of the "threat" that new blend modes and such will somehow, some way be easier to retrieve or reproduce if you have a composite version?

[Jeff_Schewe@adobeforums.com]

Saving with Max on also means large multi-layered files show up very quickly in the File Browser. Without the Max checked, either a file will not preview (if too big) or it will take a LONG TIME.

[Ramón_G_Castañeda@adobeforums.com]

Doug,

A couple of reasons, maybe three. (1) I never know what my needs might be in the future, for instance, I may need to work on the file on someone else's computer. It hasn't happened yet, but I just know the need would arise just as soon as I don't have a file with maximized compatibility. Things like that happen to me all the time. Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me type of thing. I figure if Adobe programmers put that feature in there, I'd better not get caught calling tech support and having to tell them i did not save my file with that option checked.

(2) What Jeff says in post # 3. I discovered that by accident, when I was fooling around with a test image.

(3) Other than the storage space issue, I can't think of a good reason not to.

[progress@adobeforums.com]

hmm, didnt know that jeff...cheers

generating full res composite still occurs without maximising though, so can anyone enlighten me as to what the differences are between maxed and not with that in mind?

[Doug_Katz@adobeforums.com]

I didn't know it either, Jeff. Thanks.

Progress, the inimitable C. Cox once explained that that Generating Full Resolution Composite message refers to the file's PREVIEW, not a composite version of the layered file. That might explain why we see the message with very large or very complex files and not with smaller, simpler ones....

Meanwhile, so far I haven't ONCE saved an image with Maximize Compatibility ON! Maybe I ought to rethink this? Have you all found a SIGNIFICANT increase in file size with this option on? (Yes, I know hard drive space is no longer an issue these days, but for e-transport as well as the happiness of my prepress boys, I still try to keep file size to a minimum).

[PeterK.@adobeforums.com]

If the composite refers to a preview image only, wouldn't that preview be low res? Why is it called full resolution then? It seems to very clearly describe that it is saving a flattened version of the file with the PSD, and the increase in file size seems to show that (as well as the increase in time it takes to "flatten" the composite and save it). It shouldn't increase the file size nearly as much as it does if it's only a low-res preview image.

[Doug_Katz@adobeforums.com]

But, Peter, I've seen that message on this machine several times AFTER having turned Maximize Compatibility OFF for a large, complex file. Perhaps I'm wrong about the Preview business (it's been a while since C. Cox posted). But I'm not sure I'm wrong about its independence from the Max. Comp. option.

[Peter_Figen@adobeforums.com]

Doug,

In order to generate a preview, it has to do it from a flattened version. That flattened version is then discarded, as it's only used for the preview.

[Doug_Katz@adobeforums.com]

Ah. That makes sense, Peter. So it is "temporarily maximizing compatibility" so to speak.