Expert: LizaL - 5/29/2005

Question
Hello Liza.
I have some online training in photoshop.  I have version 8 and I use windows XP.

Photoshop seems kind of "dumb" when it comes to saving files.  It wants to put them back where they came from (like the camera), but I keep the processed jpg files elsewhere, like in "my pictures".  The program keeps wanting to go back to where it wants no matter how many files I process going elsewhere.  

Can I specify a default "save to" location?
Many thanks,
Tim

Answer
Hi Tim,

Now that's kind of weird, because Photoshop is *supposed* to be smart (although I use the term loosely!!) when saving files. In other words, if you save a file to a certain place once, the program interprets that as the new default location for saving. When you save the next file, it should go to the same location as the previous one.

Let me ask you this: When you save, are you saving manually (like with Save As, or Save for Web, etc.), or are you using an action, or batch processing? That's one instance in which I can think the program might override your wishes, because when you set up an action or use an automation, you specify ahead of time where you want the image(s) saved.

If you're not saving with an action, or using an automation, can you post back and tell me how exactly you're saving your files?

Something else I just thought of -- do you have your camera plugged into your PC when you're saving files? If so, try unplugging it and see where Photoshop wants to save.

But as a default, Photoshop should save to the last place you previously saved a file. So if you opened an image from your camera, edited it, then used Save As and pointed to a certain location, Photoshop *should* remember that location for the next image.

There's really no way to specify a default "save to" location, per se -- only if you're using an action or batch processing method can you actually set up a destination.

So why don't you unplug the camera, try Save As, and let me know what happens? And if you're already using Save As (or Save for Web), please post back and let me know so we can try another approach. I did a quick search and didn't find anything to the contrary of what I've just told you, but I'll be happy to dig deeper if you can give me some more specifics.

Thanks,

Lisa