100% understand you’re not looking for an argument, I too am an advocate of knowledge as well. I used to supply AI files in eps, but saw a big file size gain compared to PDF. PDF in Illustrator is not backwards compatible to minor versioning. I supply now in AI, as it is backwards compatible as of CC, where it will expand any new features in the least destructive way. Adobe Reader CC will open AI even in free versions. On to Photoshop, Photoshop PDF is a lesser known feature these days and the extension is not a great indicator of different format especially since PS and AI don’t alert you, they just try and open. Separate issue but similar, I still have a problem with Adobe warning me that a file is beyond 2 gigs and PSD capabilities, but will succeed as a .psb, just convert it! Don’t tell me as you’ve already deleted the network file and save a new one! If I recall, Tif will opt out at 4 GB, which is a limitation similar to FAT32, but the lossless zip compression it offers is immeasurable to any format PS offers whilst maintaining PS usability. You can weigh your options with Tif, merged layers that have a large amount of transparency in between will be larger than if they are separated. I’ve only explored the lossless methods of compression with PS, but none have matched Zip. There is a longer save time with Zip tifs, but that correlates to your end user having a quicker download time, yet open time is a bit slower. Plus, average users can open files in other programs. Again, my stance is more cross compatibility, not necessarily for the legacy systems you’re mentioning, but in my world I’ve got to promote forward thinking and formats that will be widely usable. Funniest common question to date with Tif? ”Do you have a layered version of this file?” Always happy to hear your encounters with limitations of a format. If you’re asking on behalf of someone from Silicon Valley? Middle out compression for the win!
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