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gerald5C9C
Known Participant
February 2, 2024
Question

Trouble saving TIFF

  • February 2, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 2904 views

I am unable to save a layered TIFF file in Photoshop. An error message pops up expressing the file is larger than 4GB. The file which contains one medium format image (~500MB) and 8 adjustment layers seperated into 2 Groups. There are no smart objects. MacOS finder caluated the exact files saved as a PSD and PSB as 1.24GB. 

 

I've run into this problem randomly for the past 4 years. I always thought there must be hidden bits pumping up the files size. But this is as clear as day..... There is no way the file is over 4GB. I regularly save layered TIFF files with composites of 3 full (500MB) images with several layers with no problem. 

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

 

 

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    1 reply

    Kevin Stohlmeyer
    Community Expert
    Kevin StohlmeyerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 2, 2024

    @gerald5C9C PSD and PSB have different compression algorithms compared to a TIFF file.

    TIFF file format has a limitation of 4GB uncompressed. You can try changing your compression settings in the save as window but with something that large you are better off saving as a .psb which is built for files this size.

      G
      gerald5C9CAuthor
      Known Participant
      February 3, 2024

      @Kevin StohlmeyerThank you for the feedback and suggestion. I save all of my large working files as a PSB for archival purposes. But ultimately everything needs to end up back into Capture One for final crop and export. C1 can not recognize a PSB file.

       

      As I mentioned in my post I have successfully saved layered TIFFs with much more than this. And especially from the same job with similar files with the exact same groupings of adjustment layers. I guess I am asking if this is a bug, or if perhaps there could be corrupted files? 

       

      Or maybe I don't understand how a file that is completely under 2GB in every measurement possible is unable to save down as a TIFF. 

       

      I can easily stack 3 500MB medium format images, add a couple adjustment layers and save it as a TIFF. I do this all day everyday. Yet this file, which only has one image and 8 adjustment layers is recognized as over 4GB. It's impossible. 

      Kevin Stohlmeyer
      Community Expert
      Kevin StohlmeyerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 5, 2024

      @gerald5C9C In the 4 GB file - go to File>Info and check the metadata under Photoshop and see if you have an error or a ton of Metadata bloat. That could be causing this.

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