Strange Behavior

[mdijb]

I open a Nikon or Canon photo of a piece of sculpture file on my MAC->make some edits in ACR->open in PSHop-> create and save a mask selecting the sculpture->make edits using several layers using the mask as needed->flatten the final image->save to a folder on my desktop-> save to SD card->give card to a friend who opens the image on a PC->what appears is the sculpture only on a plain white backround, just like the mask I created--the background is completely missing.  In addition, the file that appears on the PC is only 4KB in size instead of the original 50 -100 MB size.  WHen I open the file again on my MAC, the size is the original and the complete image appears as expected.

Is this a problem of compatibility between MAC and PC?  IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON HERE?

Can anyone help?

MDIJB

[fdisilvestro]

Hi,

This is weird as there should be no difference. A few questions:

1. After you flatten the final file, which file type do you use?
2. The SD Card, how it is formated?
3. If you open the file in the SD card on your Mac, does it look ok?
4. Can you post/share the file?

[mdijb]

1- The file was saved as a TIF

2- I erased the card before I transferred the images to it.

3- I Did not try that.  I no longer have the card

[fdisilvestro]

Try seding the file online using something like wetransfer, dropbox or google drive (the size you mention is usually too big for email attachment)

[Redcrown]

A a few missing clues here.

1. How did the friend open the file on the PC? With Photoshop? Or with some other utility?
2. How/Where did the friend read the 4KB file size? Windows Explorer? Photoshop?
3. How big is the image in pixel dimensions?
4. Even though you flattened the image, did you leave the saved mask as an alpha channel?

Adobe created Tif files contain an extra jpeg copy of the image. That's so other non-Adobe programs can view the image, even though they can't decode the Adobe internal formats or layers. They can find and display the jpeg.

Regardless, the first step in debugging should be to determine if the problem is on your end or with the friend. So, share the file with someone else (on PC) to see if the problem repeats.

[mdijb]

The images vary but are about 3000x4000 pixels in size.

The flattened image does include the mask saved as an alpha channel.

I forwarded the other questions to my friend.

MDIJB

[Redcrown]

That alpha channel mask is part of the problem. On my Windows PC, non-Adobe programs display an Adobe TIF with alpha channel just like you describe. Example: FastStone, Windows Explorer. However, they show the correct file size, not something small like 4KB.

[mdijb]

My friend figured out the solution due to your comment and suggestion, 

Thanks

MDIJB