Giving coders the PSD

Alright, i've done this multi times, and im no dumby. I was just wondering though, has anyone ever actually stopped to think what their doing when they give a coder the PSD to their unique one of a kind template? Your jepordizing the unique in it, and the chance that the coder might turn around and sell it in the future somewhere else. Along with that, hey they just got a free PSD.

So, i've given mine away all the time to be coded but just actually thought about it today? Everyone trusts in coders but i always see people complaining about designers not doing their work etc... I've managed to code a design with all the text layers invisible as a JPG... Why do we take chances and throw the PSD around.

If your giving the PSD to a coder to do work with it but you "know he wont steal it," then why don't you give it to buyers as a sample to see if they like it or not? Isnt it the same thing . Just thought i'd throw this out and discuss .

I agree with you, but why is this in the php/mysql forum? I can code from a jpg, I don't know why everyone says the coder need the psd.

You can simply flatten the PSD and keep the font layers only in tact. Or merge groups - all these techniques makes it useless for the programmer to steal the psd.

I actually have a collection of PSDs.
I don't intend of using them for anything.. Just for sh'ts and giggles really.

If you don't trust the coder with your psd, you shouldn't trust him with your project.

Originally Posted by pixelgod I agree with you, but why is this in the php/mysql forum? I can code from a jpg, I don't know why everyone says the coder need the psd.

Because it's nice as a coder to know exactly what font is being used and at what sizes. Yes this can be figured out from a .jpg, but it's a time saver to click on it and have it tell you. I'm picky about using the exact fonts the designer has designed with.

Other things are easier with the psd too depending on the design. If a transparent background is required for something, or even worse a .png with a transparency shadow it is almost necessary to have it on its own layer or else you're wasting a lot of time re-creating what has already been created in the original .psd.

With that said, don't give your .psd to a coder you don't trust. If you use a respectable company or person with plenty of satisfied customers you reduce your risks.

I'm with jjmac. Also, it's easier when I have to make rollovers because I sometimes have to since there are some lazy designers out there (I should start charging a bit extra for that).

Yes, you are giving us the PSD, but if you don't trust someone, don't hire them. I erase PSD's after my computer about once a week (usually I wait a bit to make sure they don't need any changes). But as VI said, if you don't trust them, don't hire them.

Originally Posted by Village Idiot If you don't trust the coder with your psd, you shouldn't trust him with your project.

I agree.

Plus it makes it easier to code because you can look at the fonts they used, easier to create rollovers etc.

I'm in the middle on this. In one sense, a coder is requiring an additional risk to the purchaser due to them wanting easier work.

Surely as part of your contracts you have clauses covering this sort of thing?