Deciding how you want files handled in Photoshop

The options in the File Handling Preferences dialog box control how Photoshop handles files as they are opened and closed. Here’s the lowdown on these options:

-->Image Previews: Storing a preview thumbnail with an image can speed up browsing for the image you want. You can tell Photoshop to save a preview by default or to ask you first (in case you want to create images that are a little smaller in size, especially for the Web). Or you can also choose not to ever save a preview. Mac users need to select the kinds of image previews they need. Select the Icon option to enable an image icon to appear on the Desktop. Select the Macintosh Thumbnail option to see a preview in the Open dialog box. Select the Windows Thumbnail option to see a preview in a Windows OS. Finally, select the Full Size option to save a low-resolution version of the file to use in applications that can open only low-resolution (72 ppi) Photoshop images.

-->File Extension: You can select whether the file extensions appended to filenames (such as .psd, .tif, and so forth) are consistently uppercase or lowercase, as you prefer. On Macs, you can choose whether to add extensions by selecting from the Always, Never, or to Ask When Saving options. If you want cross-platform compatibility with PCs or prep Web graphics, select the Always option. Mac users, select the Use Lower Case option to save extensions as lowercase characters.

-->Ignore EXIF sRGB tag: When this option is selected, Photoshop ignores the sRGB tag that many digital cameras add to their EXIF (camera) data. The sRGB tag is widely used, but not well respected among many high-end digital photography professionals.

-->Ask Before Saving Layered TIFF Files: Photoshop can save an advanced type of TIFF file that includes layers, exactly as with its own native PSD files. However, many applications cannot read these files. If you always open TIFF files in Photoshop and don’t mind creating larger TIFF files in the process, you can disable this option. Otherwise, Photoshop asks you for confirmation each time you want to save a TIFF file that contains layers.

-->Enable Large Document Format (.psb): Photoshop can now create documents up to 300,000 x 300,000 pixels. You can save these humongous files as TIFFs (up to 4GB) or in the new .psb or Photoshop Raw formats, with no limitation in size.

-->Maximize PSD File Compatibility: Photoshop now lets you choose an option for file compatibility.

Not all applications can handle the more sophisticated features that may be stored in a PSD file (such as fancy layer effects). If you frequently open PSD files in applications other than later versions of Photoshop, you may want to set this option to Always. Keep in mind that you may lose some features when you do this. Choose Ask to have Photoshop prompt you when you save a file as to whether you want the option. Or select Never to ignore the option completely.

When you maximize compatibility, Photoshop saves a composite (flattened) version along with the layered file to ensure that older applications (such as Version 2) can read the files. However, this option also makes your file size balloon enormously. In addition, when you save in this mode, you get an annoying warning that your file may not be read by future versions of Photoshop. This silly warning appears every time you save a layered PSD file.

If you plan to use your PSD files in InDesign or Illustrator, you need to have the maximize compatibility feature turned on because those programs need to have a composite along with the layers.

-->Enable Version Cue: Select this option if your computer is located on a network and you need to share your files with others in your workgroup by using a server.

-->Recent File List Contains: Type a value from 0 to 30 to specify the number of recently used files you want displayed in the Recent File list on the File menu.