Refine layered TIFF exports in Photoshop

What you will do

When an automatically retouched photograph needs a local correction, export it from Arams as a layered TIFF and finish it in Photoshop. You will keep an editable layered master and create a separate flattened copy for delivery.

The available layers depend on the tools used and the photograph. The example contains Retouch4me Heal above Background; it does not mean that every Arams plugin exports its own layer or mask.

Before you start

Finish choosing the photograph’s retouching tools and settings in Arams before you export it.
Make sure Photoshop can open and save layered TIFF files.
Choose a folder where you can keep the TIFF exported by Arams, an editable Photoshop working copy, and the final delivery copy as separate files. Keep your original photograph unchanged.

Steps

Prepare the photograph in Arams

Select the processed photograph you want to hand off and open the export workspace.
Use Local processing for this layered-TIFF route. Confirm that each retouching tool you want in the result is still enabled; do not turn off wanted processing to match the example.

Export a layered TIFF

Open Export settings and choose the selected photograph.
Select a destination folder and a filename that will distinguish this export from the original.
Under Format, select TIFF (Layers).
For a full-resolution Photoshop handoff, leave Resize to fit off. Turn it on only if your editor needs a smaller file and preserving the original dimensions is not required.
Confirm the destination, selected photograph, filename rule, and format.

Export settings for the selected photograph showing Hard drive, TIFF (Layers), and Resize to fit turned off. — Choose TIFF (Layers), confirm the selected photograph and destination, and leave Resize to fit off when you need the original dimensions. Arams 1.10.2 · Windows · American English

Start the export and wait until Export and Render History reports COMPLETED at 100%.

Export and Render History showing one local export task marked COMPLETED at 100 percent. — After COMPLETED and 100% appear, open the actual TIFF in Photoshop and inspect its layers. Arams 1.10.2 · Windows · American English

If your Arams version does not offer TIFF (Layers), an ordinary flattened TIFF cannot provide this workflow.

Open the layered file in Photoshop

Open the exported TIFF in Photoshop and display the Layers panel.
Identify the background and the retouching layers that are actually present. The example shows Retouch4me Heal above a locked Background layer; your stack may differ.

The exported TIFF open in Photoshop with Retouch4me Heal at 45% opacity above Background in the Layers panel. — The original layered TIFF contains Retouch4me Heal without a mask above the locked Background layer. Arams 1.10.2 · Windows · American English

Optional: preview a layer’s effect

If the contribution of a retouching layer is unclear, use the eye icon to hide that layer, compare the important details, and then show it again. This comparison is optional; you do not need to toggle every layer before continuing.

Retouch4me Heal hidden in Photoshop while the Background layer remains visible. — Hide Retouch4me Heal to compare its contribution with the Background layer. Arams 1.10.2 · Windows · American English

Refine the layered file

Select the retouching layer you want to adjust, then choose the kind of correction:
- To change the effect across the whole photograph, adjust the layer’s opacity. Lower opacity softens the effect; higher opacity strengthens it.
- To reduce the effect only in one area, add a white layer mask in Photoshop. Select a soft black brush and paint on the mask over that area. Choose the brush size, hardness, and opacity to suit the subject and nearby edges.
Inspect the corrected area and its transition at a useful magnification. If you see a hard edge or lost detail, undo the stroke and use a softer brush, lower brush opacity, or a smaller adjustment.

The mask in this example was added manually in Photoshop; it was not supplied by Arams. Choose layer opacity and mask settings by looking at your photograph rather than copying the values in the screenshot.

The manually added Retouch4me Heal layer mask selected in Photoshop with layer opacity set to 65%. — The mask was added manually in Photoshop; it was not included in the Arams export. Arams 1.10.2 · Windows · American English

Save the layered master

Use Save As to create a separate layered TIFF working copy. Keep the TIFF exported by Arams as an unchanged fallback.

The working TIFF is your editable master. Keep its layers, opacity changes, and manual masks intact.

Optional: check the saved master before more editing

If you plan to invest more time in the file, you can close the working TIFF, reopen it, and confirm that the layers and mask are still editable. This is an optional safeguard, not a step you must repeat for every photograph.

The reopened working TIFF in Photoshop retaining Retouch4me Heal at 65% opacity with its mask above Background. — After closing and reopening, the working TIFF retains its layers, opacity, and manual mask. Arams 1.10.2 · Windows · American English

Create a flattened delivery copy

With the layered working copy open, use Save a Copy to create the format required by your client, lab, or delivery workflow. The illustrated example uses JPEG; choose quality and color-profile options appropriate to your destination.
Give the delivery copy a distinct name. Do not save it over the layered TIFF.
Open the delivery copy and inspect its appearance, dimensions, and color before sending it.

The separate JPEG open in Photoshop as a single-layer 6064 by 4040 image while the working TIFF remains open. — Check the separate JPEG and retain the layered TIFF as the editable master. Arams 1.10.2 · Windows · American English

Finished result

You are finished when you have:

the original photograph, unchanged;
the TIFF exported by Arams, kept as a fallback;
a Photoshop working TIFF whose layers, any opacity adjustments, and any manually added masks remain editable;
a separate flattened delivery copy with the intended appearance, dimensions, and color.

Layer names and counts can vary.

If the result does not match

There is no layered-TIFF option in Arams: do not substitute an ordinary TIFF and expect editable retouching layers. Use another handoff method or revisit this workflow with a version that offers TIFF (Layers).
The TIFF opens as one layer: confirm that you selected TIFF (Layers) and opened the exported file rather than a flattened delivery copy. Do not overwrite the Arams export while troubleshooting.
A retouching layer has no mask: add a mask manually in Photoshop if you need a local adjustment. Not every exported layer is expected to include one.
The working copy reopens flattened: return to the unchanged Arams TIFF and repeat Save As, making sure Photoshop preserves layers in the working format before continuing.
The delivery copy replaced the layered file: recover the editable version from the unchanged Arams TIFF or another saved working copy. Use distinct filenames and Save a Copy for the next delivery export.