Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Photographers - Martin Evening [58]
Maximizing PSD compatibility lets images load quicker in Bridge; another crucial point is that Lightroom is only able to read layered PSD files that have this option turned on. If there is no saved composite, Lightroom won't be able to import it.
If you set the preference for the ‘Maximize PSD and PSB File Compatibility’ option in Figure 2.15 to ‘Ask’, Photoshop CS5 will show a ‘Don't show this message again’ message in the Maximize Compatibility warning dialog, which will appear after you choose to save an image using the PSD file format (See Figure 2.17). If the ‘Maximize Compatibility’ option is checked, the default from now on will be to ‘Always’ maximize compatibility. If the option is unchecked, it will be set to ‘Never’ from now on.
Figure 2.17 The Photoshop Format Options dialog.
Restart to activate preferences
Some Photoshop preferences only take effect after you quit and restart the program. For example, the Scratch Disk preference settings in the Performance preferences (see page 110) only come into effect after a restart, while the OpenGL preferences only come into effect after you open or create a new window in Photoshop.
Recent File list
The Recent File list (Figure 2.15) refers to the number of image document locations that are remembered in the Photoshop File Open Recent submenu. You might want to set this to the maximum limit allowed which is 30.
Figure 2.15 The File Handling preferences.
Performance preferences
The Performance preferences section (Figure 2.18) lets you configure all the things that influence how efficiently Photoshop is able to run on your computer. The memory usage can be set using a sliding percentage scale and you will notice how Photoshop provides a hint as to what the ideal range should be for your particular computer. The History & Cache section now includes a ‘Cache Tile Size’ option and buttons to help you configure the ideal settings here. In the Scratch Disks section you can drag to rearrange the currently available disk volumes in order of priority and, lastly, the GPU settings allow you to enable OpenGL drawing, if your video card allows it.
Figure 2.18 The Performance preferences, where you can configure the Memory Usage, History, Cache, Scratch Disks and GPU settings. Note that in the Scratch Disks section you can check which volumes to use as scratch disks. Highlight a particular disk, then use the arrows to move it up or down the list; tick it to make it active.
Memory usage
The amount of RAM memory you have installed determines how efficiently you can work in Photoshop. Each time you launch Photoshop a certain amount of RAM memory is set aside for use by the program. How much depends on the amount that is set in the Memory Usage section as a percentage of the total amount of RAM that is available for Photoshop to use. The figure you see in the Memory Usage section is the RAM reserved for Photoshop imaging use (although the RAM you set aside for Photoshop can be shared by other applications when it is not actively being used by Photoshop). Adobe recommend that you allocate a minimum of 1 GB RAM memory, which means that if you allow an additional 200 MB of RAM for the operating system, you will need to have at least 1.5 GB of RAM installed. If you also take into account the requirements of other programs and the likelihood that newer operating systems may need even more memory, it is safer to suggest you actually need a minimum of 2 GB RAM memory in total. Don't forget that you will also need to allow some RAM memory to run Adobe Bridge at the same time as Photoshop.
RAM memory upgrades
Most PCs and Macs use DIMMs (Dual In-line Memory Modules). The specific RAM memory chips may vary for each type of computer, so check carefully with the vendor that you are buying the right type for your particular machine. RAM memory used to cost a small