X7 and psd files

[MikeFromMesa]

I have an older version of Photoshop (CS5.1) on my system and have been playing around with X7. I wanted to check how compatible X7 was with Photoshop so I created a multi-layer psd file using Photoshop. Basically I loaded 2 images into Photoshop, added the second image as a layer to the first image and saved the combined layered file as a psd file. This file contained only the images and no Photoshop adjustment layers (which I knew X7 would not understand). I then loaded that psd file into X7 to see how well it handled the layers.

What I got was a loaded image with only one layer and only one image. The second layer, containing the second image, was completely missing. That was interesting enough to cause me to do some further checking. I then created the same sort of 2 image layer psd file separate with Photoshop, X7 and the OnOne suite and then tried to load each psd file with the software that did not create them. What I found was also interesting.

The X7 created 2 layer psd file could be properly loaded and understood by both Photoshop and OnOne.
The OnOne created 2 layer psd file could be properly loaded and understood by Photoshop, but not X7.
The Photoshop created 2 layer psd file could be properly loaded and understood by OnOne, but not X7.

In short only X7 was not able to understand the multi-layer psd file created by the other software. It seems to me that this must be a bug in that X7 is capable of creating a multi-layer psd file that Photoshop understands, but X7 is unable to understand the same type of file created by Photoshop.

Or am I missing something here?

[Kathy_9]

Just a shot in the dark here but could it have to do with how the psd is saved?

Mike - I used your method of two images layered and saved as a psd. I did this in a very old version of PS; version 2. As part of the Save As dialog I made sure the layers check box was checked and also the maximum capability box. Copies of the dialog boxes below.

Or maybe it's newer versions of PS that don't play well with PSP or different PC setups or sunspots??

click for larger image

click for larger image

Edited: I forgot to add that I could successfully open as a multi-layered psd in PSPX6 & 7

[MikeFromMesa]

Just a shot in the dark here but could it have to do with how the psd is saved?

Mike - I used your method of two images layered and saved as a psd. I did this in a very old version of PS; version 2. As part of the Save As dialog I made sure the layers check box was checked and also the maximum capability box. Copies of the dialog boxes below.

Or maybe it's newer versions of PS that don't play well with PSP or different PC setups or sunspots??

layers.JPG

max.JPG

One of my first thoughts when I found this issue was how the PS psd file was saved. When I checked I found that the layers checkbox was, in fact, checked and I always make sure that I save psd files using maximum compatibility.

But what puzzles me is that if PSP is able to write layered psd files that can be loaded and understood by both Photoshop and OnOne, then why can it not open and understand layered psd files created by OnOne and Photoshop? OK. Perhaps OnOne is not writing proper psd files, but Photoshop understands them and loads them properly. Why not PSP? And, perhaps more to the point, why can PSP not open Photoshop layered psd files? That seems to me to be a very serious issue, especially since I often mix working between editors like Photoshop and X7.

Since I currently have both Photoshop CS5.1 and Photoshop CC on my system (one running under Windows through Parallels 9 and the other on the Mac side) I tried this with both versions of Photoshop and the problem exists for layered psd files created by both. PSP can open the files, but the second layer is just gone.

I should have asked you earlier - what was your experience when you saved Photoshop layered psd files? Was PSP able to properly load your files and display both layers?

[df]

I sometimes save a psd from PSP, open in PSElements (9) to do a few things, then save back to psd and fnish off in PSP. There's a few layer styles that are supported in Elements, as well as mask layers and a few other things. The Save As options are the same as Kathy shows in her first attachment. I've been doing this since at least PSP X5, if not X4. You might try saving a multilayer psd from PSP, go to PS with it, then immediately save it to see if it works any differently.

[MikeFromMesa]

You might try saving a multilayer psd from PSP, go to PS with it, then immediately save it to see if it works any differently.

That is interesting an interesting idea.

I created a 2 layer psd file in PSP, saved it, opened it in Photoshop, got a 2 layer file, saved it under a second name, again as a psd file, and then opened it using PSP. That process worked and I ended up with both layers.

But the question is - if the PSP -> PS -> PSP sequence works, why does the PS -> PSP sequence fail?

The whole problem here is that I might find that, when processing an image with my workflow software, that I want to use something like OnOne or Photomatix HDR (which can be called from a Photoshop plugin). That would mean opening the file (first) in Photoshop or, possibly, in OnOne. If I then wanted to work on the file in PaintShop Pro I would not be able to access any layer information.

[df]

I just tried saving a multilayer that I created in PSE9 to PSD format and it opened in PSP with layers intact. I don't know why you can't, but it would bug the heck out of me too. Then again I barely use PSE for anything other than lining up layers when needed or using the ColorPerfect plug-in.

[MikeFromMesa]

I just tried saving a multilayer that I created in PSE9 to PSD format and it opened in PSP with layers intact. I don't know why you can't, but it would bug the heck out of me too. Then again I barely use PSE for anything other than lining up layers when needed or using the ColorPerfect plug-in.

I think that what I need to do is to file a bug report and include the Photoshop psd file I created. Maybe there is some Preference setting on my machine that needs changing or some other simple fix to this problem, but it is really giving me trouble.