Talking about the file size … the typical file size for edited pics,
processed in 16 bit / 360 ppI and kept with some ‘main layers’
- 42 cm long edge → 40x50 cm layout
- 50 cm long edge → 42x59,4 cm layout
ranges from 300 to 600 MB (plus 150 to 230 MB for the print version)
and can be much bigger in single cases.
But as said, the selection that makes it worthwile to be kept and printed is ‘limited’.
With a layer based editor it’s no problem to handle a (total) file size of i.e. greater than 1 GB,
as unlike in PL raw-converter there is no need to each time re-compute the whole pic.
( and we are getting even farther away from the OP )