2009.02.25 14:06 "Re: [Tiff] OT: Text layer possible in tiff format?", by Toby Thain

On 25-Feb-09, at 3:01 AM, zhangweiwu@realss.com wrote:

Recently I had a talk with a photoshop user who showed me how to save an image from Photoshop into TIFF format with all layers preserved. I think this makes TIFF a good image exchange format for users of different photo manipulation software. If it can support text layers, it would be even better, because most of the times people exchange retouched photo only need to preserve layers (including text layers) but do not need to

> preserve all masks and paths. Since TIFF is usable for non-

professional

users as well (both Linux and Windows can view and print these files without using image manipulation software), it makes it idea for exchange not only between people who do image manipulation but also people who receive & use the result.

In the past, people who manipulate photos has to ask if the other one want layered format (PSD, ideal for professional users but not viewable to ordinary users) or ordinary image (JPEG, readable to ordinary users but lost layer information for professional users), with TIFF they don't have to.

As Joris points out, you seem to have misunderstood the way Photoshop uses TIFF. It puts essentially undocumented binary blobs in the TIFF for layer information so you are no better off than you would be with PSD. Examine the TIFF you created a bit more closely.

--Toby