4 Replies Latest reply: Dec 24, 2011 11:59 AM by cnitski RSS

    Destructive vs Non-Desctructive Adjustments in CS5

    cnitski Community Member

      I need some clarifications regarding the destructive and non-destructive nature of making adjustments in CS5.

       

      I know (I think) that if I add an adjustment layer in CS5 that it is non-destrutive - please clarify.

       

      Or ... better yet, is there some document that explains how to make adjustments that are NOT destructive.  I've heard that all Ligthroom adjustments are non-destructive whereas many adjustments makde in Photoshop are.  I am just confused since some of my files get greatly reduced when I save them in CS5.  I also use the combination of Shift+Option+Command+E a lot (I"m not sure what that is doing to my file size and the destructive/non-destructive nature of my file sizes.

        • 1. Re: Destructive vs Non-Desctructive Adjustments in CS5
          Danny Michael Community Member

          Non-destructive means you never alter your base image. Any change you make can be changed further or deleted without destroying any image information of the original image.

          • 2. Re: Destructive vs Non-Desctructive Adjustments in CS5
            cnitski Community Member

            Thanks ...I understand that.  It wasn't my question.  I was specifically asking the best way to make adjustments without destroying the original image.

            • 3. Re: Destructive vs Non-Desctructive Adjustments in CS5
              Bo LeBeau Community Member

              Shift+Option+Command+E will create a new merged version of your layers at the top of the stack while leaving the original layers intact.

              As long as you keep all the adjustment layers (which are Non-Destructive) you can save a file that you can open anytime in the future and you can change the settings in your adjustment layers to your hearts content.

               

              But save these files as a PSD, TIF or Photoshop PDF to keep the layers intact. Formats like JPG or PNG, etc. cannot save layers and will flatten your layers before saving, and are Destructive!

               

              Using the Shift, Option, Command, E method will create a file with a larger file size, so to keep the file size smaller just save the file with adjustment layers and don't use Shift, Option, Command, E. These files will still behave the same.  Adjustments layers may slightly increase file size but not very much.

               

              You can also use SO's - Smart Objects, when you need a filter or technique that are not available as adjustment layers.

              Saving a file with Smart Objects will definitely inflate your file size.

               

              Lightroom and ACR  Adobe Camera Raw (part of Photoshop) work Non_Destructively, however they generally apply changes Globally (to the whole image)

              There are some changes like an adjustment brush, etc that will act Locally (only part of the image) , however these are much more limited than the changes you can make locally using selections, masks, etc in Photoshop

              • 4. Re: Destructive vs Non-Desctructive Adjustments in CS5
                cnitski Community Member

                Excellent BO ... thank you so much for a great explanation.  Just what I was looking for.