Photoshop CS: Erratic Browser Behavior

SK
Posted By
Steve_Kreiter
Feb 6, 2004
Views
491
Replies
17
Status
Closed
Since installing CS I’ve had persistent problems with the Browser. For instance, if I accidentally leave it open when I close Photoshop, the next time I start Photoshop, the Browser dialog appears partially overlaying the Photoshop startup screen. It can be minimized and maximized like that, but not closed. If I use the menu to start another Browser, it seems to cancel the screwed up one out. I can also close this new Browser. But I noticed that as long as this new Browser was open, it kept generating the thumbnails over and over, maxing out my CPU usage. When this happens, I have to close the new Browser, shut down Photoshop and start again.

I’ve also noticed that CS is VERY slow at generating thumbnails (even just once), and if you have an image open with the Browser visible in the background, the image does the herky-jerky when you drag it around the screen.

These were not issues for me with Photoshop 7.0.1, and my configuration hasn’t changed. Garden variety Dell, Intel P4 2.5GHz, 1GB RAM, Windows XP Pro, 64MB Nvidia GeForce 4 MX. Any ideas, known issues, etc? Thanks.
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W
wes
Feb 6, 2004
I have the same problem with the browser being open and moving open images. I have learned to use the Alt + double click on an image to open it and close the browser. I have also found the the info palette causes some slowing so I now use the F8 short cut key when I need it on the desktop. There have been others with slowing in CS with the browser open. wrote in message
Since installing CS I’ve had persistent problems with the Browser. For
instance, if I accidentally leave it open when I close Photoshop, the next time I start Photoshop, the Browser dialog appears partially overlaying the Photoshop startup screen. It can be minimized and maximized like that, but not closed. If I use the menu to start another Browser, it seems to cancel the screwed up one out. I can also close this new Browser. But I noticed that as long as this new Browser was open, it kept generating the thumbnails over and over, maxing out my CPU usage. When this happens, I have to close the new Browser, shut down Photoshop and start again.
I’ve also noticed that CS is VERY slow at generating thumbnails (even just
once), and if you have an image open with the Browser visible in the background, the image does the herky-jerky when you drag it around the screen.
These were not issues for me with Photoshop 7.0.1, and my configuration
hasn’t changed. Garden variety Dell, Intel P4 2.5GHz, 1GB RAM, Windows XP Pro, 64MB Nvidia GeForce 4 MX. Any ideas, known issues, etc? Thanks.
ND
Nick_Decker
Feb 7, 2004
Steve, try turning off High Quality Thumbnails and Background Processing in the File Browser preferences. They named those wrong. They should have been combined into one check box and called "Kick Me in the Butt and Make My Life Miserable."
DM
dave_milbut
Feb 7, 2004
in truth though once they’re done, cs is snappy. mine finished after I let it cache all my images over night.
SK
Steve_Kreiter
Feb 8, 2004
Thanks. Those two tweaks helped in cutting the time it takes to load the thumbnails. And so far no surprises on startup. Still got the herky-jerkies moving an image around if the browser is open behind it, but the workaround is to simply minimize the browser after opening an image.
ND
Nick_Decker
Feb 8, 2004
Steve, I’ve also gotten in the habit of holding down the Alt key when double-clicking an image in the Browser to open it. That’ll make the Browser close before opening your image, and help your performance.
JB
John_Blaustein
Feb 8, 2004
Steve,

Try Dave’s suggestion of caching the browser. It makes a HUGE difference in the browser’s performance.

In the browser, navigate to the top folder containing your images — assuming they are not all in one folder, but in several folders under a top level folder. Then, click File>Cache All Subfolders. (I’m not in front of CS right now, but I’m pretty sure that’s the command.) Go out to lunch, or leave it overnight, depending on how many images you have. Once it’s completed, when you navigate to a folder, the images come up immediatley. All sluggishness is gone.

John
DM
dave_milbut
Feb 8, 2004
I’m glad someone’s listening! I was beginning to wonder if this thing was on! 🙂
JB
John_Blaustein
Feb 8, 2004
Dave… we hear every word you say! <g>

Seriously, after learning here about caching the browser, it totally changed how I use the browser and how CS now works. I use the high quality setting, make the preview window (on the left in the browser) fairly large and it’s like viewing each image already opened. An enormous time saver. I also set the thumbnail size to custom (260) and that adds to the usefulness of the previews (for me).

Without caching, there is no doubt it’s all quite sluggish.

John
ND
Nick_Decker
Feb 8, 2004
Dave, I hear ya too, and it’s good advice. Just wanted to be sure Steve knew about the other stuff.

Nick
DM
dave_milbut
Feb 8, 2004
make the preview window (on the left in the browser) fairly large and it’s like viewing each image already opened. An enormous time saver. I also set the thumbnail size to custom (260) and that adds to the usefulness of the previews (for me).

me too. great stuff. unfortunately my old 17 died so i’m back to a single 15" nec flat screen. single monitor. need to go monitor shopping. 🙁
GH
Grass_Hopper
Feb 8, 2004
so, since I don’t have PSCS, I am trying to learn here.

Lets say I have a directory with images in it. I open up the browser and it makes a cache of those same images, right? Now that means is that I have essentially 2 copies of the same images on my hard drive? Geesh, I sure hope folks have enough hard drive space!

I sure need a new system!
JB
John_Blaustein
Feb 8, 2004
Grass Hopper,

I guess you could say that after the browser caches your images you have two copies of each, but the browser only builds and stores a small thumbnail, so I doubt disk space is much of an issue.

If you are inclined to buy CS, I highly recommend it. Lots of nice improvements over 7, not the least of which is the browser.

John
GH
Grass_Hopper
Feb 8, 2004
John,
the biggest problem for me is that I don’t have a system capable of running PSCS. I am still running Win98SE and until my system dies, I doubt I will be purchasing a new one. This one works, for now, so it will have to be my workhorse until it can no longer work.

I do have a laptop with XP on it, but it doesn’t have the power needed to run PSCS either.

grasshopper
SK
Steve_Kreiter
Feb 9, 2004
Wow you guys! Excellent advice all around. I’ll cache overnight and enjoy life in the fast lane tomorrow. Thanks again to all.
SF
Stephen_Frisch
Feb 26, 2004
John –

I have a couple of different ways that I set up the browser, depending on what I’m doing. It’s handy to save them as separate workspaces. Makes it easy to return to them.

Steve
JB
John_Blaustein
Feb 26, 2004
Steve,

Great idea. I have saved workspaces, but have not modified the browser to include in a saved setup. I’ll try that. I didn’t know that modifications to the browser layout would be saved in a workspace.

Thanks.

John
DM
dave_milbut
Feb 26, 2004
I have a couple of different ways that I set up the browser, depending on what I’m doing. It’s handy to save them as separate workspaces. Makes it easy to return to them.

I 100% agree with that. Work spaces are ‘da bomb!

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