Photoshop troubleshooting – opening Photoshop layered files as merged files

High resolution PSD files with lots of layers can take a while to open – here’s a great little trick for when time is short.

Complex, high resolution files can take a long time to open in Photoshop – but sometimes you just need to open it to check the file out or show it to someone… and as they say, time is money!

Simply hold down shift+alt (option) as you open a file and you will be asked if you want to read the composite data. Click ok and your layered file will open as a merged file (no layers) – and much quicker too!

I’m pretty sure this shortcut only works if you have the ‘maximise compatibility’ option selected when you save your PSD file, I will check this out and update this post.

(9 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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Written by Jonny Allbut - freelance graphic designer
Last modified: 22 April, 2009 (14:41) | First published: 5 March, 2009
Filed under Photoshop Top Tips, Photoshop Troubleshooting, Shortcuts - Other 3 Comments »

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3 Comments »

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March 23, 2009 @ 5:00 am

[...] Ninja is a site dedicated to Photoshop. It shares tutorials and tips such as "Opening Photoshop layered files as merged files", "Creating overlapping text layers", and "Why is my Photoshop layer style or [...]
Comment by Chris
September 15, 2009 @ 9:46 pm

I learned this back in school and I forgot about it until today! Thanks!
Comment by Photoshop Ninja
September 28, 2009 @ 4:50 pm

Ahhh, it’s an oldy, but a goldy!

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