Problem importing layered Photoshop files

Just bought Aperture from the App Store, hoping that it can replace Bridge. I have about 100K RAW files, a few thousand film scans (TIFFs) and several thousand finished Photoshop files to manage.
I can't get layered 16-bit Photoshop files to correctly import. The preview is jumbled and corrupted and often has fragments from other images, thumbnails are mostly black or random noise. Metadata does show up ok.
And no, they weren't saved with Maximize Compatibility enabled. Everything has worked with CS and then CS3 for several years.
JPEGs and RAW files import great BTW.
So...what's my next move?

downstairsdave wrote:
I'm trying to find out if this is a known bug, I've searched high and low and have not found any useful info regarding Aperture 3.1.1.
I do save files with a full-sized preview (Photoshop options) but that doesn't seem to help.
The "Maximize Compatibiltiy..." option saves a flattened version inside the PSD file so that programs that cannot display transparency and / or layers can use the flattened version of the file for displaying.
This was supposedly fixed in AP 2.x according to this KB article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA23626
Although apparently fixed, I still recommend in my comments that people use the 'Always' setting since there still seems to be an issue for some people (mostly people sending 16-bit PSD files).
Note - I have never had an issue with PSD files (in AP 3), but I send as 8-bit files in sRGB color space.
You might test with 8-bit files, and if these work consistently; I would recommend sending feedback concerning a possible bug or incompatibility with 16-bit files.
Here is the link for PS CS5 help file on the matter:
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/photoshop/cs/using/WSfd1234e1c4b69f30ea53e41001031ab 64-7754a.html
Edit to add Adobe link.

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"unable to open project file" after importing layered Photoshop file

After spending a day of work, I saved and closed my 720p project. Today, I can't open it. I get a message saying: "Unable to open project file." Same thing happens with the auto-saved copy.
I have narrowed down the problem to this: I made a new 720p project file. Without doing any work, I import a single layered Photoshop file (.psd), then save and close the project. When I try to open it, I get the message again: "Unable to open project file."
Works fine at home. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks,
PPJ

I'm just now having the same problem, though I'm using FCE 3 . I can open older (NTSC) files. Just not new HD files that I have also blindly used alpha+Photoshop layers in. When I create a new HD file with a few HD clips in it and even use an audio track from the project I'm wanting to make, and use TIFF versions of the graphics and save it, it will open right up -- but something about these PS files.

Importing layered photoshop files into FCP7

I have made a photoshop file (tiff) with a transparent background. The file has three layers.When I import it into FCP7 it appears with a white background.Also when I double click on it it does not show me the layers...Where am I going wrong...help!

Also, there may be a problem with a layered photoshop file saved on a PC. You may need to open and save in photoshop on the Mac before importing into fcp.

Importing layered photoshop files

I'm trying to import a layered photoshop file ( .psd and .tif - neither works ). I was led to believe that this would import with its layers intact in order to make an overlay menu but that doesn't happen. All of the layers do import however as a single layered file. I'm new to DVDSP so probably doing something really stupid. Cheers Doug

Actually, go ahead and use layered menus if you feel like it - just keep in mind that DVDSP is creating in the background a separate menu background for each button state, and so this type of menu usually behaves a bit sluggishly.
Some tips for working with layered psds -
They will always import as a single file. If you can see the layers when you apply it to a menu, you have done it right. Sometimes if the bit depth or color mode for the psd is incompatible, a layered file will appear to import as a flat image without layers.
Resize the menu to your video frame size and set the pixel aspect ratio in photoshop.
Save a version of your original file in which you:
-combine any layers that do not need to be separate
-flatten or rasterize any text layers and layer effects, as these will not be supported in DVDSP
-get rid of all layer sets or groups
Make sure you are creating a layered menu in DVDSP - it's a separate command from "add menu". You'll see the photoshop layers in the inspector when you add the psd to the menu, which can then be turned on and off for each button's selection state. Even a simple menu can seem complex in this window, but play with it enough and you'll figure it out.

Replacing Imported Layered Photoshop Files

From the file browser (or the Media Tab) in Motion (2.0.1) you can easily replace an object in a layer by dragging and dropping a new file onto that object. This is handy if you modified an image but want to apply the same animation to it. So here's my question:
I have an imported layered photoshop logo in my project and I want to replace some of those layers with a modified version of that logo (the animation is staying the same so I'm trying to avoid copying and pasting hundreds of keyframes to my altered layers). How can I replace the individual layers?
I tried importing a single layer from the new PS file as a test but in the Media Tab, Motion still references the entire photoshop file so when I try to replace the corrosponding layer it just inserts the entire flattened PS file.
What say you?
Mac OS X (10.4.8) Motion Version 2.0.1

hi,
welcome to the forums.
i have found that if i update the photoshop file then the imported layers in Motion update as well. Are you not seeing this?
Could you not save the layer out of the photoshop file as a separate file and import that?
regards
adam

Can't import layered photoshop files

In Motion's File Browser all I get is a big white image with an error message saying "This layered photoshop file wasn't saved with a composite image". I have maximum compatibility checked in photoshop (for saving files) which is the ONLY thing in PS that mentions saving with composite images.
This is lame. But not as mind-numbingly lame as not being able to modify JPGs (already in use in Motion) without quitting the program, saving the JPG, then re-opening Motion to get the file to update.
Apple really needs to make this program more compatible with the world's most common photographic editing program!

I use layered Photoshop files on a regular basis with no issues. Make sure the .psd file is in the RGB color space - won't work in CMYK or greyscale.

Pixelation when importing layered Photoshop file

Just brimming with questions tonight:
I'm importing layered Photoshop images into FCP, with the individual layers creating seperate clips in the timeline. So far, so good. But the clips are looking very pixelated compared to in PS. The document size in PS is set to the pixel dimensions in FCP, i.e. 720x576 for DV PAL.
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the difference between PS and FCP is mindboggling
It should be different (although not really mind boggling). In Photoshop, you're seeing the image at it's native resoution ... in FCP, once you place it in the Timeline, you're seeing it at the Sequence resolution and with all the restrictions of the codec your Sequence is set for.
-DH

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charlie P

Is it CYMK or RGB?
Created of a Mac or PC?
Have layer effects and type been rasterized?

Difficulty Importing Layered Photoshop File

I wasn't able to come across an answer via "search" so...
I'm working on a slideshow using photos I manipulated in CS2 on a PC and then transferred them to the Mac. Subsequently, when I try importing them into FCE, they appear only as a single-layer graphic (my understanding is that they should appear as individual sequences).
Any suggestions as to how to correct this are greatly appreciated.
iMac 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mac OS X (10.4.8) Final Cut Express

That's correct. PSD files saved on a PC do not import with the layer structure intact. You would have to open the file in Photoshop on a Mac and save it there to get the layered image in a sequence.

A problem with importing layered PSD file into Flash

Hi.
There's a problem with importing layered PSD file into Flash.
If I import a layered PSD file, some part the color of the lower layer is shown at the edge of objects or shadows. Instead, if I crop each layers first and import them, there's no problem.
If the higher layer has brush or transparent effects, it becomes worse.
Any help with this problem?
Thanks.

How was the original art created? Was the original RGB or CMYK? What is the resolution of the Photoshop file? Flash only works well with RGB and 72 pixel per inch resolution. If your original art is not set this way, then Flash will attempt to convert it as it imports it. Flash uses the sRGB color space. You'll get the best color translation if your Photoshop file is using this color preference.

Importing layered Illustrator files

Hello
I'm on an Intel Power Mac. Premiere 4.1.0
Importing layered Illustrator files does not work properly. It doesn't provide the pop up option box, to tell you what you want to do with the layers - either bring them in individually, or as a sequence, etc. All it does is simply imports the file with all the elements grouped in one file. Photoshop layered files are OK.
I have done everything Adobe has suggested. Please see following -
1. Done a disk permissions check, with disk utility
2. Deleted all Premiere preference files.
3) Uninstalled software
4) Did a cleanup script (provided by adobe)
5) Reinstalled software - to Premiere 4.0 (tried this version and still no good).
6) Uninstalled and reinstalled, clean script, just to make sure (still no good)
7) Upgraded again to premiere 4.1.0 (still no good)
Has anyone had this problem before?
Many thanks
Danny

The problem is that the Help file, and any marketing literature for that matter, is not a good indication of what the software actually does or does not do. Danny, I realize that you want to torch Adobe HQ over this issue, but the fact of the matter is that mistakes happen. And I can guarantee you 100% that when you installed the software and accepted the EULA, you acknowledged that those mistakes do happen, whether they are software bugs or erroneously-advertised features, and you absolve Adobe of any liability. I'm certainly not suggesting complacency--feel free to call the BBB or organize a class-action lawsuit or get the pitchfork-wielding mob to storm the castle--but I think it's a waste of time and energy. Adobe's not going to cop to any bug or missing feature--end of story. And the folks you're talking to at customer support really have, at most, a rudimentary understanding of the software. If you want to be active and proactive, file a feature request/bug report. It's not a guarantee of satisfaction, but it's more likely to bring you to that point than any of the above options.
Not to belabor the point, but the way the Help file is written...
"...you can import a layered Photoshop or Illustrator file as a
sequence, enabling you to set up graphics in these applications and
then import them into an Adobe Premiere Pro project."
...suggests that both layered Photoshop files and Illustrator files will be recognized as sequences when imported. No, it does not specifically say "layered Illustrator file," but from the context of "as a sequence" implies that the layers would be recognized and imported thusly. At present, all Illustrator files, whether they are layered or not, are flattened on import. I would be inclined to believe that this is not so much a bug, as it is a feature that was planned but not implemented, and somewhere along the line the memo between the programming group and the marketing group to this effect was misplaced. Whichever it is, it doesn't matter: this is not a workflow option.
Here are a couple of legitimate workflow options:
Export your AI file (don't use Save As, use Export) to a PSD file. You can maintain the layers as well as text editability by doing this, and the layered PSD will subsequently import as a sequence into Premiere Pro.
Stop using Illustrator for video graphics. Photoshop really is better suited for video graphics, in my view, than Illustrator is. Illustrator is fine for building logos and such, and even doing some text layout that's not possible or at least not easily done in Photoshop, but vector artwork is a poor match for the world of video. Your vector artwork (whether its sourced from Illustrator, Photoshop, or wherever else) is automatically rasterized when imported into Premiere, so I feel it's better to start in Photoshop where you can control this to a greater extent than you can in Illustrator.
As I've mentioned previously, use After Effects to build a comp from your layered AI file, and either render a movie out for use in Premiere, or use Dynamic Link to keep it live between AE and PPro.

Layered Photoshop files with alpha channels

I wondered if anyone had a work around for the problem of layered PSD files with alpha channels not previewing properly in Aperture 3.1.1. I know it's been an issue in previous versions of Aperture but I thought Apple would have sorted this by now, or am I asking too much?

I tested a file last night as follows:
Sent file via 'Edit with Photoshop CS5' (as PSD 8-bit, sRGB color space) > changed background to normal layer > created circular selection around subject and inverted to remove most of image leaving transparent area (about 70% of image) > saved file > closed Photoshop > file updated in Aperture with black filling in the transparent area.
Resent the PSD back to Photoshop (which opened correctly with transparent area) > created two new layers and sent one to background > filled new background layer with White and left top new layer transparent > saved again and closed Photoshop > file updated in Aperture with white showing in transparent areas (no black).
AFAIK, this is how it is designed to work.
My only other suggestion would be for you to create a new empty library (press Option while launching Aperture > Create New..) and then import one RAW or JPEG file and test.
Note - you can reset Photoshop by holding down 'Command + Option + Shift' immediately after launching Photoshop and clicking 'Yes', then set the 'Maximize Compatibility...' to 'Always' again. Doing this prior to sending the file from new library would probably be best.
Apologies in advance if you have already tried this and for outlining procedures that you are already familiar with (just not sure what level Photoshop user you are).

Importing layered PS files

Hello. Using Aperture on Leopard. When I import layered PSD files, they come in as masters, not PS files. How can I get them to come in as PS files? If I import a PSD file, opening it in External Editor (PS) opens up a new version of it, which has taken the layer information, used it to build the image, but then opens with a flat PSD. I have years worth of layerd PS files that I really need to include in my Aperture workflow. I can't be the only one having this problem. Anybody? How do I import PSDs and have them retain their layers?

Hello, Otis
Otis Fuentes wrote:
Hello. Using Aperture on Leopard. When I import layered PSD files, they come in as masters, not PS files. How can I get them to come in as PS files? If I import a PSD file, opening it in External Editor (PS) opens up a new version of it, which has taken the layer information, used it to build the image, but then opens with a flat PSD. I have years worth of layerd PS files that I really need to include in my Aperture workflow. I can't be the only one having this problem. Anybody? How do I import PSDs and have them retain their layers?
Make sure your Aperture Preferences are set to export a .psd and make sure Photoshop Preferences are set to File Handling>File Compatibility to Enable large Document Format (.psb) and Maximize Compatibility
victor

Problem with layered Photoshop-menu

Hey everybody,
I have encountered a rather frustrating problem in DVD Studio Pro 4.2.2.
I'm working on an educational DVD with circa 50 clips on it, therefore, I've ended up with a somewhat complicated menu. Complicated may not be the word, as much as large.
What I did was really simple, I created a Photoshop-file for each menu with three layers for each button – one for normal state, one for selected state and one for active state. This has gone smoothly and looks great.
So to my problem; I simulate the DVD and everything works fine and as it should. I do notice some delays at the heavier menus, but not enough to really bother.
When I build and format the DVD, however, and hover the options in the menu, nothing happens, when I really wish to see the selected state of the button. Not until I click a button it becomes selected, which means I have to click a button a second time to operate the DVD to its action.
I'm aware of that there are no mouseover function on a DVD since DVD-players generally don't have mouses connected to them. Nevertheless, the DVD-application, in my experience, gets that when I hover a button I want to have it selected.
I've been sitting all day trying to get to the bottom with this, without luck. And my first thought was to make a new smaller project using the same Photoshop-file and see if there was some error in my real project. But, like I said, without luck.
I originally made this with the "color-coding" and then everything worked fine, but I thought that it was too much of a quality loss in texts to use that method, and therefore, ended up with the layered photoshop-file solution.
Has anyone encountered the same problem, and does anyone know how to solve this problem of mine?
Help highly appreciate.
Best,
Andreas

There are many reasons to not use Layered Menus, you have encountered just one. There is no mouse-over for Layered Menus. The person has to click once to select the button, then they have click again to activate the button. Another problem is that there is a 2-3 second pause each time a button is selected. On a stand alone DVD player this means that the end user could have to wait 30 seconds or more to get through menu (an eternity compared to standard menus, which everyone one is used to).
The solution is to use Standard Menus, not Layered Menus.

Large layered Photoshop files corrupted

Is anyone out there using Mac G5 Quad Processor, working on large 500MB to 1.5MB layered Photoshop files (CS2) and not having any corruption to the files after opening and closing many times?

I tested a file last night as follows:
Sent file via 'Edit with Photoshop CS5' (as PSD 8-bit, sRGB color space) > changed background to normal layer > created circular selection around subject and inverted to remove most of image leaving transparent area (about 70% of image) > saved file > closed Photoshop > file updated in Aperture with black filling in the transparent area.
Resent the PSD back to Photoshop (which opened correctly with transparent area) > created two new layers and sent one to background > filled new background layer with White and left top new layer transparent > saved again and closed Photoshop > file updated in Aperture with white showing in transparent areas (no black).
AFAIK, this is how it is designed to work.
My only other suggestion would be for you to create a new empty library (press Option while launching Aperture > Create New..) and then import one RAW or JPEG file and test.
Note - you can reset Photoshop by holding down 'Command + Option + Shift' immediately after launching Photoshop and clicking 'Yes', then set the 'Maximize Compatibility...' to 'Always' again. Doing this prior to sending the file from new library would probably be best.
Apologies in advance if you have already tried this and for outlining procedures that you are already familiar with (just not sure what level Photoshop user you are).

Problem importing layered Photoshop files

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