8bit TIFF with adjustment layers

[david_lacina]

hi,

say i have 16bit tiff with couple of adjustment layers (curves/...)

and i convert this file to 8bit tiff. does the actual quality of the

photo decrease? the adjustment layers will now operate on 8bits so i

guess it will decrease. is then better to merge the layers before

converting to 8bits, so that all colour adjustments are done on 16bits

and the resulting 8bits tiff is generated afterwards?

 

Thanks,

david.

[bruce watson]

I would flatten the image first, yes. But why bother to convert down to 8 bits? Most any RIP handles 16 bit files these days. I was under the impression that most of the printer drivers handle 16 bit files as well. If that's true, why drop to 8 bit?

[marshall]

Depends on what you're doing with the file. Contrast adjustments may be less smooth, so I'd agree that it's worth flatting the file first if for some reason you need to drop to 8-bits for output. If PS is handling the printing, I don't think it matters, though I'm willing to be corrected by someone who's done more detailed comparisons than I have. Enjoy.