Refine layered TIFF exports in Photoshop

What you will do

Export a processed photograph from Arams as a layered TIFF, then finish it selectively in Photoshop. You can adjust the strength of an exported retouching layer, mask the effect where it is too strong, and keep an editable working copy alongside a flattened delivery copy.

The layer stack depends on the tools used and the exported photograph. The example in this guide contains a Retouch4me Heal layer above Background. It does not mean that every Arams plugin exports its own layer or mask.

Before you start

Finish processing the photograph in Arams before you export it.
Make sure Photoshop can open and save layered TIFF files.
Choose a folder where you can keep three distinct files: the TIFF exported by Arams, an editable Photoshop working copy, and the final delivery copy. Keep your original photograph unchanged.

Steps

Process a photograph in Arams

Import your photographs and apply the retouching tools that suit the job.
Review the processed photograph at a useful magnification. Pay particular attention to areas that may need a local adjustment in Photoshop, such as a small region where an effect looks too strong.
Select the photograph you want to hand off and open the export workspace.
Select Local processing and wait for processing to finish.

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).
Decide whether the photograph should keep its original dimensions. For a full-resolution Photoshop handoff, leave Resize to fit off.
Review the destination, selected photograph, filename rule, and format before starting the export.

Export settings for the selected photograph showing Hard drive, TIFF (Layers), and Resize to fit turned off. — Choose TIFF (Layers), leave Resize to fit off, and check the selected photograph and destination. 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

Open the exported TIFF in Photoshop before relying on it as an editable master. If your Arams version does not offer TIFF (Layers), an ordinary flattened TIFF cannot provide this workflow.

Inspect the layer stack in Photoshop

Open the exported TIFF in Photoshop and display the Layers panel.
Identify the background and any 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

Use the eye icon to hide one retouching layer, then show it again. Compare important details at a useful magnification so you understand what that layer contributes before changing it.

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

Choose the opacity by looking at your photograph; the screenshot shows one possible setting.

Select the retouching layer you want to refine.
Adjust its opacity while comparing the result with the layer hidden and with its original setting. Lower opacity softens the effect across the entire photograph; higher opacity strengthens it.
If only part of the photograph needs less of the effect, add a white layer mask in Photoshop. Do not assume that Arams supplied a mask: the mask in this example was added manually after export.
Select a soft black brush and paint on the mask over the area where you want to reduce the effect. Choose the brush size and hardness for the subject and edge you are working around.
Check the transition and nearby detail. If the masked area develops a visible edge or loses useful detail, undo the stroke and try a softer brush, lower brush opacity, or a smaller adjustment.

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 and reopen the layered working copy

Use Save As to create a separate layered TIFF working copy. Keep the TIFF exported by Arams as an unchanged fallback.
Close the working copy and reopen it in Photoshop.
Check that the layer order, visibility, opacity, and manual mask are still editable and match what you saved.

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

Reopening the file is a quick safeguard before you invest more time in finishing or create a flattened copy.

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 the final appearance, dimensions, and color before sending it.
Return to the working TIFF and make sure its editable layers are still present.

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

Check the result

You should now have:

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

The names and number of retouching layers can vary. What matters is that you inspect the actual TIFF, preserve an editable copy, and judge the visible result on your photograph.

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.