Adobe defends itself as Photoshop users berate new update

Ah, Save as. It's a command as old as time itself, and it should be pretty obvious what it does. But Adobe's latest Photoshop update seems to have turned the simple saving process into a minefield of confusion – and users aren't happy about it.

As of this month's 22.4 update for Photoshop on macOS, the Save As command is no longer able to save in non-layered formats such as JPEG and PNG. To do that, you'll now have to select a different option, Save a Copy. (If you're new to Photoshop, check out the best Creative Cloud deals). 

In the feature summary for the release, Adobe explains that “Save a Copy automatically creates a copy of your work and allows you to export and share in your desired file format like JPEG, EPS, and so on, without overwriting the original file and protecting your data in the process.”

Describing the rationale behind the change to PetaPixel, Adobe explained that its hand was actually forced by Apple: “The new Save a Copy option in the File dropdown menu of Photoshop addresses a change in macOS 10.15.x and later, which eliminated the ability to manipulate aspects of the Save As dialog.”

But even if Adobe didn't have a choice in the matter, it seems Photoshop users aren't happy about the development:

It's hard not to feel a little sorry for Adobe here – the company has responded to several of the complaining tweets explaining that it was Apple's removal of the API that forced it to implement the change. But hey, an extra click is an extra click – and time is money for creatives.

Still, we reckon it won't be long until most users get used to having to select Save a copy when they're after a JPEG. And besides, as these weird Photoshop habits show, not every designer uses the software as efficiently as possible as it is.

Read more:

• Download Adobe Sign: Get a free trial, or buy a subscription
• Could Samsung's wild new smartphone destroy Apple's iPhone Fold?
• Designer gives your favourite logos a joyful retro makeover