Saving and Exporting in Photoshop

Saving Your Photoshop Project (PSD)

• File > Save: This saves your project in the native Photoshop format (.PSD).
  • Preserves Layers and Edits: PSD files retain all layers, masks, adjustments, and other editable elements.
  • For Continued Work: Use this for ongoing projects where you’ll continue editing.

Exporting for Different Uses

• File > Export > Export As: This allows you to save your work in various formats suitable for different purposes.
  • JPEG: Best for web images and social media. Choose a high quality setting for optimal results.  
     
  • PNG: Supports transparency, ideal for images with transparent backgrounds (logos, graphics).  
     
  • TIFF: High-quality format for print projects.  
     
  • PDF: Suitable for print and digital documents.
  • GIF: Supports animation (for simple animations).  
     

   

   

Exporting for Web (Legacy)

• File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy): This older method is still useful for fine-tuning web graphics.
  • File Formats: Choose between JPEG, PNG, GIF, and other web-friendly formats.  
     
  • Image Size and Quality: Adjust image dimensions and quality settings to optimize for web use.
  • Preview: Compare the original and optimized images side-by-side.

   

   

Key Considerations

• File Format: Select the appropriate format based on the intended use of the image.
• Image Size and Resolution: Optimize image size and resolution for the target platform (web, print, social media).  
   
• File Size: Balance image quality with file size for efficient sharing and loading.  
   
• Color Mode: Choose the correct color mode (RGB for web, CMYK for print).

By understanding these methods, you can effectively save and export your Photoshop work in the appropriate format for any project.