Opening a Flattened (Composite) document from a Layered Photoshop File

Adobe Photoshop

If you ever need to open a flattened (composite) version of a layered document, choose File > Open and navigate to the image. Then, hold Option + Shift  (Mac) / Alt + Shift (Win) and click Open. A dialog appears with the message “Read the composite data instead?” Click OK to confirm.

2016-07-23 comp

You can use the same keyboard modifiers and double click a PSD file in the Operating System to open a flattened version of the file. Note: this shortcut only works if the file was saved with the Maximize (PSD and PSB) File Compatibility preference turned on.


Adobe Photoshop

Posted on 07-25-2016


Comments

  • By fran Hogan - 6:33 AM on July 25, 2016  

    which versions of PS does this work on? I have CS5 extended and Maximize PSD and PSB is ”always on”…
    I wish you would include information in your FB posts as to WHICH PS version this works on and/or which one it doesn’t.

  • By fran Hogan - 7:42 AM on July 25, 2016  

    my profound apologies! I misunderstood and thought I could open a layered version from a composite file! That would be a wonderful feature, if it were possible.

  • By Jan Kabili - 11:37 AM on July 25, 2016  

    Great tip Julieanne!

  • By PBR - 11:45 AM on July 25, 2016  

    At the risk of appearing a bit slow, “You can use the same keyboard modifiers and double click a PSD file in the Operating System to open a flattened version of the file” means what? Alt-Shift-clicking a file in Windows Explorer only brings up the Properties screen. What am I missing?

  • By David F. - 11:52 AM on July 25, 2016  

    I suspect this is only able with Photoshop’s native PSD or PSB. So, the same cannot be done with layered TIFFs, correct?