A question in class was raised on why they could NOT get a tif file to load into Camera Raw after it had been saved after editing in Photoshop… What ever I said in class was not right and the more I thought about this question the more I realized I should research the subject of file types and usage more thoroughly.
Here's what I found…
The references that I had used stated:
32-bit .PSD "Photoshop Document file."
A PSD file stores an image with support for most imaging options available in Photoshop. These include layers with masks, color spaces, ICC profiles, CMYK Mode (used for commercial printing), transparency, text, alpha channels and spot colors, clipping paths, and duotone settings. Photoshops version of the .tiff format! Recommend use of the .psd file format rather than .tif
But, Camera Raw is designed to use .jpg, tif and of course raw files. The Photoshop CS6 for Photographers author, Martin Evening uses .psd to preserve files with layer edits, but also saves a flattened version as a .tif file because Camera Raw flattens layered files!
Camera Raw can load .tif files directly, but you have to setup Camera Raw to directly load a tif file…
It's a Preference setting in Bridge, The menu is:
(Mac) Adobe Bridge CS6 > Camera Raw Preferences… (Command k)
(PC) Edit > Camera Raw Preferences… (Control k)
You need change the above preference because when you save a file from Photoshop, it adds a link in the file so that it will automatically re-open in Photoshop!
Again note that if you load a tif file that has layers, in to Camera Raw. Camera Raw will automatically flatten the layers.
N.B. (Nota Bene)
However, You can load a .psd file into Camera Raw, but, it's a round about process… as you can't do it from the Bridge!
You have to start Photoshop, and go to the File > Open Menu…
and choose the following
BUT, when you send the file back to Photoshop you will discover the layers have been flattened!
That's a good reason to have a layered .psd file and a separate flattened .tif file for the same image!
When you are working with Bridge, Camera Raw and Photoshop, here's what happens to the files.
The other Camera Raw file preference I set have in Bridge is:
"Save image settings in: Sidecar ".xmp" files"…(You need to do this if you use Lightroom. Lightroom uses this method to save all your edits. )
File Behavior
Camera Raw will always flatten a layered file.
Link: How to work with Smart Objects in PS
That ought to do it for now…
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