With all this info on how to save an image so everyone on both platforms can read it, I have a question. I have tried saving an image as described….as a tiff with either Mac byte or PC byte but still, some pc’s cannot read these files. I am a graphic designer so I have to be able to produce files that ALL pc’s can read. I have a Mac so sometimes this is quite a challenge. So my question is this. Basically, when you save an image on a pc, it comes across as a "Pictureview" image which can be opened through pictureview and Photoshop. Is there any way to save an image as a pictureview image on a Mac? It seems that all pc’s can read this format. Thanks for your help B
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So, basically, if I saved the files for pc’s, if they can’t read it, do you think it is something on their end? Some pc people can read the file, some cannot.
So elaborate. I was told this by a printing company who deals with this on a daily basis. To make sure a PC can read the files, you must save as an eps file with tiff 8 bit preview and ASCII format, or save as a tiff with IBM PC Byte order with no compression. This is what I have done and some pc’s STILL cannot read it.
Are they trying to open the file with Photoshop? If not, you could check the image mode, channel depth etc that you are using. E.g., many programs will not be able to open a CMYK TIFF but can use an RGB TIFF just fine (same applies to JPEG interchange). You’ve turned off compression – good idea.
I burned the images on a cd. I am now thinking that the problem is with my cd burner after doing some tests with a pc I have here. I have the program Adaptec Toast and for some reason, it keeps switching itself on how it is read. I set up a set of extensions in the control panel to use when I am burning a cd to be used on a pc but for some reason I don’t think it is working properly.
4.1.2 and I have two operating systems on my computer because my printer will not run in OSX (even in classic mode)…that’s another long story. ANYWAY, I’m thinking of updating everything, including printer, so hopefully it will take care of all of this. I am on my way to a printer right now to let them reburn my cd because they have the most recent version of Toast and then I am going to see if the PC can read it. If it can, then I know it is the cd burning equipment.
As a matter of interest, I am dealing with a photo library which insists that all submitted files are saved in PC byte order. I asked whether this was really necessary and was told that they are set up for PC and that any files sent in Mac byte order would be automatically rejected. Is there any good technical reason why they should insist on all files being like this?
Windows IT guys are a little strange — and not always that well informed.
One corporation for whom I create web Ads. will reject all folders that i upload unless i have run them through Cocktail’s droplet to kill any "DS Store" files. And any websites which I create for hosting on their Server MUST have all component files named in the ********.*** convention (which means .html MUST always be .htm).
Perhaps the problem is not so much that they can’t read the files, but that the format of the CD is incorrect. Isn’t it the case still that CDs need to be burned in a way that they can ge read cross-platform? Burned either for Mac or PC, OR burned as ISO 9600 which can be read by both?
They agency I am dealing with also insist that the CD’s are burned in ISO 9660, which I can comply with although I would rather send it using the Toast hybrid format. I think they are just very PC centric and tend to think everything has to be done according to PC standards because they once read that 95% of computer users are running Windows. They seem to have forgotten that nearly all printers and graphic designers, not to mention picture editors at magazines plus art directors are working with Macs.
OK, now this really has me fed up. I am trying to create an action so that the conversion to PC Byte order can be done quickly to satisfy this stock agency but there is a problem!
When I am recording the action, before I get to the option to save in PC Byte order, I have to say where the files will be saved and the net result is that all subsequent files will always be saved to that location, whereas I have a whole series of folders and sub folders and I would like them to remain saved in their existing place over writing the old files and not where the one sample image was recorded. Does anybody know a way around this?
The latest data I could find was an on-line PDF document on Tiff 6 spec written in 1992. Is there anything more recent? This already states that the byte order isn’t a problem, so if they are having issues I have to wonder just what sort of set up they are using.
As ridiculous as it may seem, they really do seem to be obsessed with this and reject images immediately if they are sent in Mac Byte Order. Actually the whole set up is extremely PC biased and they seem to be blissfully unaware that the world of graphics, art buyers etc is largely inhabited by Mac users.
Given that there is no modern day relevance to Byte Order for either PC or Mac, wouldn’t there be a case for eliminating this option with the next version of Photoshop and just having one or the other chosen by default?
Surely this is a case where the design of Photoshop could actually be useful for removing some outdated concepts rather than continuing them.
Given that there is no modern day relevance to Byte Order for either PC or Mac, wouldn’t there be a case for eliminating this option with the next version of Photoshop and just having one or the other chosen by default?
No! some of us with older equipment need the option as we have hardware that will only read one or the other.
For example, I need to keep PS 5.5 running because the save a copy gives me an option unavailable in subsequent versions of PS (remove all non-image data) that I absolutely need for my LVT film imager.
Toby’s suggestion is much better, have an easy mode where the option is hidden, but give us access to it if we need it.
That’s fine by me. How about a general option in the preferences allowing you to either select the byte order every time or simply choose one by default? Its not so much a question that choosing one byte order rather than the other is a problem, just that it causes unnecessary confusion in many cases.
I am now arguing with this agency who can’t justify their requirement on a technical basis but still insist that it is done this way simply because the images will otherwise be rejected as a matter of policy. Quality guidelines are essential but only when they mean something.
Some of these companies seem to have filtering software, like Pitstop, which they can set to look for particular file attributes. If your files don’t match their formula precisely (or contain any extra files such as Apple’s "DS Store") your files get automatically rejected.
There is nothing wrong with your files — only with the outdated cast-iron algorithm which is being used to guard their gates!
I think that when they go to re save it, Photoshop automatically shows the existing byte order and obviously if its set to Mac all the PC tech people break down and start crying for some unknown reason.
Ann, have you ever noticed that its always PC users placing limitations on Mac users whereas we just get on with the job and work with whatever they throw at us?
Ever notice how the people placing silly limitations on us are never ever the people who have to do anything for a living. They just get to tell others what to do (and how to do it).
guidelines are essential but only when they mean something.
ashley: spot on.
But we still don’t know whether it’s a policy thing or whether their (braindead) systems enforce the limitation. But the TIFF Spec was always clear – and it is common sense – that any TIFF reader that doesn’t support both orderings (which is child’s play, especially if you use an off-the-shelf library) is broken.
I have had the same problem re saving as tiff for pc. The problem is it’s Alamy, one of the biggest agencies in the world, and who pay maximum percentage to the photographer. So they can’t just be igored or run away from, as suggested. I am emailing them about this – I cannot even seem to find a way to save in any pc format. Perhaps I’m missing something or I’m so mac mad that anything indicating pc just ain’t pc!
Lindsey, you are basically right except that there is no need to save it first as a PSD. Just take the file and save it once in Tiff format and select PC byte order. As far as I know Alamy is the only agency stipulating this and another photographer told me he had asked them about the PC Byte Order. They confirmed that it wasn’t actually necessary, however, this doesn’t seem to have pushed them into actually dropping it as a submission requirement. Alamy are very PC centric and this is just another hangover from that way of thinking.
Its easier just to save them as they want rather than argue about it.
Thanks for reviving this thread. This one got by me and I’m glad I caught it. The 42 posts on a subject that seems so trivial caught my eye. Great input from everyone.
The question I wish would be answered is if it doesn’t make a difference of the byte order either way, why is it included as an option in PS, anyway?
IMO, it’s the entire computer industry’s fault for creating such techno-paranoia on issues as seemingly simple as this. With all the upgrading, troubleshooting, buried tips, tricks and secrets I’ve come across in the same manner as this thread, I find it hard to blame anyone for their paranoia in wanting to cover all bases rather than hunt up, verify and adhere to an old TIFF spec.
The thing is in the world of computers issues such as these don’t really ever get resolved/changed and it always winds up being someone elses fault. But we’re still able to keep cranking it out without a total collapse.
Ashley, The problem was I had already scanned and saved some images in Mac tiff and couldn’t see how to re save them in the PC way. Am I missing something?
CHeers anyway
Lindsey
(ps from now on do you think I should save as pc as it’s cross platform in case this arises again? Grateful for your help!)
TIFF files saved the normal way on a Mac can be opened on a PC. Unless you’re working with one of the few remaining (clueless) entities that demand otherwise, there’s no reason to save it any other way. Regular TIFF files are both Mac and PC compatible.
The reason is because Alamy.com insists that you send the pics in PC tiffs and state that Mac tiffs will be refused. Stupid, yes, but there you are. Have a look at their website and see all the rules and you will understand what all the fuss is about. I have followed all their rules, I think and will now send a cd and see if the system works!
Too late, had posted the above. Nevermind! Are you saying Alamy is a dinosaur? Strange considering they seem to put themselves forward as being of the present and future. Well, there you go! I’m only using them to take images refused by other libraries cos not quite in line with their subjects, so theymight not even take them. well, we shall see. I even burned my cd in ISO 9660 as wanted – what a perfomance this is turning out to be! So let’s hope I make money! Wish me luck!
Some older software can’t handle different byte orders, and some poorly informed agencies apparently still think there is a real difference between byte orders (yes, hard to believe, but sadly true).
Also, some people building printers, cameras, etc. need a good way to save both byte orders to test the things they are developing.
And it kind helps in developing and testing Photoshop as well.
As far as the PC byte order is concerned for Alamy the easiest thing to do is create an action and then run it as an automated batch on all the images to save them as tiffs in the PC byte order. Preparing images for Alamy is a bit of pain, especially the first time but it does become a little more automatic over time. The hardest part is effective key wording.
The real issue her is economic whereas corporations rely on out sourcing via contract employees who have no business making decisions other than what gas to put into their car.
