ramblin21 Loc: Sharon,Wisconsin

Good Morning UHH- I am confused on something Hope someone can help! I can process a Raw file (CR2) Canon- when (saved as) a Tiff it also saves a XMP sidecar file, which has all the changes made in it. While the file is still open you can go to PSE 12 Window an History an go back to any point you wish to. When the raw file is saved as a tiff all your changes are incorporated into the tiff and you cannot open the same file an be able to go to Window an History to go back to any point and make changes going forward as it only shows that you Opened the file. I thought that was the real purpose for the XMP sidecar. What am I missing here? Can it be opened another way an have all those changes from the XMP file there so I can do a different change? While I am at it-Why can’t these changes pertaining to a Raw file (saved as tiff) be incorporated into that file an be available when opened thus
Eliminating the XMP file completely? Food for thought ! Any help in understanding this would be appreciated. That's my rant for today!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

You just simply save all your layers when creating the Tiff, that way you do not need the XMP file, you just open any layer you want and do the changes you see fit. ( that's one good reason to name all your layers while working on a file)!

ramblin21 Loc: Sharon,Wisconsin

I understand to a point, I open Raw do my changes-open image-than do I make a new layer or duplicate layer than it asks for a name so i give img4499-1-img4499-2
etc.,etc., and than save my finished file as tiff. Correct or did I just mess it up LOL!

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Speters is assuming you are using a software package like Photoshop or PaintShop Pro to do your editing. Is that an accurate assumption or are you using something else - like the software that came with your camera?

What you're describing seems to be opening and saving the image multiple times. Not the same thing as opening multiple layers to edit the image.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

The xmp file is created when you edit the raw file. Any and all changes to the graphic content, as we as metadata is written to it.
If you export the image to a tiff (using save as in PSE), then the raw editor closes, and you have an 8 bit tiff file, which you can edit in PSE. And you are correct, you can go back in history to an earlier state. But any changes that you made in the raw editor are "burned in" forever in the tiff file.
The xmp file exists to save changes to the raw file in a non-destructive manner.

ramblin21 Loc: Sharon,Wisconsin

Hello Friends:
I have been away for a tad an am back now read the remaining posts an came away much smarter. My 1st thanks to speters for his Layer contribution I think this is the best way to do what I have been wanting to do. Thanks so much, I also found a tutorial on just How to Save Layers in PSE 12 very informative. Google is my buddy! My thanks to Gene51 for the explanation of what XMP files are for. I quote from Gene51:The xmp file exists to save changes to the raw file in a non destructive manner. The Light Bulb came on! :) :) My life will be much easier going forward, I new I could count on the UHH members. Thanks to All