diff --git a/src/bmp.imageio/bmpoutput.cpp b/src/bmp.imageio/bmpoutput.cpp
index c6e772799c..e60ae820ff 100644
--- a/src/bmp.imageio/bmpoutput.cpp
+++ b/src/bmp.imageio/bmpoutput.cpp
@@ -27,9 +27,6 @@ class BmpOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     bool close(void) override;
     bool write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
                         stride_t xstride) override;
-    bool write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                    stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride,
-                    stride_t zstride) override;
 
 private:
     int64_t m_padded_scanline_size;
@@ -38,7 +35,6 @@ class BmpOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     bmp_pvt::DibInformationHeader m_dib_header;
     int64_t m_image_start;
     unsigned int m_dither;
-    std::vector<unsigned char> m_tilebuffer;
     std::vector<unsigned char> m_scratch;
     std::vector<unsigned char> m_buf;  // more tmp space for write_scanline
 
@@ -110,11 +106,6 @@ BmpOutput::open(const std::string& name, const ImageSpec& spec, OpenMode mode)
 
     m_image_start = iotell();
 
-    // If user asked for tiles -- which this format doesn't support, emulate
-    // it by buffering the whole image.
-    if (m_spec.tile_width && m_spec.tile_height)
-        m_tilebuffer.resize(m_spec.image_bytes());
-
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -157,23 +148,6 @@ BmpOutput::write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
 }
 
 
-
-bool
-BmpOutput::write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                      stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride, stride_t zstride)
-{
-    if (!ioproxy_opened()) {
-        errorfmt("write_tile called but file is not open.");
-        return false;
-    }
-
-    // Emulate tiles by buffering the whole image
-    return copy_tile_to_image_buffer(x, y, z, format, data, xstride, ystride,
-                                     zstride, m_tilebuffer.data());
-}
-
-
-
 bool
 BmpOutput::close(void)
 {
@@ -182,17 +156,8 @@ BmpOutput::close(void)
         return true;
     }
 
-    bool ok = true;
-    if (m_spec.tile_width && m_tilebuffer.size()) {
-        // Handle tile emulation -- output the buffered pixels
-        OIIO_DASSERT(m_tilebuffer.size());
-        ok &= write_scanlines(m_spec.y, m_spec.y + m_spec.height, 0,
-                              m_spec.format, m_tilebuffer.data());
-        std::vector<unsigned char>().swap(m_tilebuffer);
-    }
-
     init();
-    return ok;
+    return true;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/dpx.imageio/dpxoutput.cpp b/src/dpx.imageio/dpxoutput.cpp
index 4db1103a3c..719a38da1a 100644
--- a/src/dpx.imageio/dpxoutput.cpp
+++ b/src/dpx.imageio/dpxoutput.cpp
@@ -46,9 +46,6 @@ class DPXOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     bool close() override;
     bool write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
                         stride_t xstride) override;
-    bool write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                    stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride,
-                    stride_t zstride) override;
 
 private:
     OutStream* m_stream = nullptr;
@@ -69,7 +66,6 @@ class DPXOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     std::vector<ImageSpec> m_subimage_specs;
     bool m_write_pending;  // subimage buffer needs to be written
     unsigned int m_dither;
-    std::vector<unsigned char> m_tilebuffer;
 
     // Initialize private members to pre-opened state
     void init(void)
@@ -417,11 +413,6 @@ DPXOutput::open(const std::string& name, const ImageSpec& userspec,
                    ? spec0.get_int_attribute("oiio:dither", 0)
                    : 0;
 
-    // If user asked for tiles -- which this format doesn't support, emulate
-    // it by buffering the whole image.
-    if (spec0.tile_width && spec0.tile_height)
-        m_tilebuffer.resize(spec0.image_bytes());
-
     return prep_subimage(m_subimage, true);
 }
 
@@ -593,16 +584,7 @@ DPXOutput::close()
         return true;
     }
 
-    bool ok = true;
-    const ImageSpec& spec_s(m_subimage_specs[m_subimage]);
-    if (spec_s.tile_width && m_tilebuffer.size()) {
-        // Handle tile emulation -- output the buffered pixels
-        ok &= write_scanlines(spec_s.y, spec_s.y + spec_s.height, 0,
-                              spec_s.format, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-        std::vector<unsigned char>().swap(m_tilebuffer);
-    }
-
-    ok &= write_buffer();
+    bool ok = write_buffer();
     m_dpx.Finish();
     init();  // Reset to initial state
     return ok;
@@ -644,22 +626,6 @@ DPXOutput::write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
 
 
 
-bool
-DPXOutput::write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                      stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride, stride_t zstride)
-{
-    if (!is_opened()) {
-        errorfmt("write_tile called but file is not open.");
-        return false;
-    }
-
-    // Emulate tiles by buffering the whole image
-    return copy_tile_to_image_buffer(x, y, z, format, data, xstride, ystride,
-                                     zstride, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-}
-
-
-
 dpx::Characteristic
 DPXOutput::get_characteristic_from_string(const std::string& str)
 {
diff --git a/src/hdr.imageio/hdroutput.cpp b/src/hdr.imageio/hdroutput.cpp
index 5feb97042a..e682a20079 100644
--- a/src/hdr.imageio/hdroutput.cpp
+++ b/src/hdr.imageio/hdroutput.cpp
@@ -26,14 +26,10 @@ class HdrOutput final : public ImageOutput {
               OpenMode mode) override;
     bool write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
                         stride_t xstride) override;
-    bool write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                    stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride,
-                    stride_t zstride) override;
     bool close() override;
 
 private:
     std::vector<unsigned char> scratch;
-    std::vector<unsigned char> m_tilebuffer;
 
     void init(void) { ioproxy_clear(); }
 
@@ -226,11 +222,6 @@ HdrOutput::open(const std::string& name, const ImageSpec& newspec,
     if (!iowritefmt("-Y {} +X {}\n", m_spec.height, m_spec.width))
         return false;
 
-    // If user asked for tiles -- which this format doesn't support, emulate
-    // it by buffering the whole image.
-    if (m_spec.tile_width && m_spec.tile_height)
-        m_tilebuffer.resize(m_spec.image_bytes());
-
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -246,17 +237,6 @@ HdrOutput::write_scanline(int /*y*/, int /*z*/, TypeDesc format,
 
 
 
-bool
-HdrOutput::write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                      stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride, stride_t zstride)
-{
-    // Emulate tiles by buffering the whole image
-    return copy_tile_to_image_buffer(x, y, z, format, data, xstride, ystride,
-                                     zstride, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-}
-
-
-
 bool
 HdrOutput::close()
 {
@@ -265,18 +245,9 @@ HdrOutput::close()
         return true;
     }
 
-    bool ok = true;
-    if (m_spec.tile_width) {
-        // We've been emulating tiles; now dump as scanlines.
-        OIIO_ASSERT(m_tilebuffer.size());
-        ok &= write_scanlines(m_spec.y, m_spec.y + m_spec.height, 0,
-                              m_spec.format, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-        std::vector<unsigned char>().swap(m_tilebuffer);
-    }
-
     init();
 
-    return ok;
+    return true;
 }
 
 OIIO_PLUGIN_NAMESPACE_END
diff --git a/src/ico.imageio/icooutput.cpp b/src/ico.imageio/icooutput.cpp
index 18e5fdb5a3..b6f3eed9de 100644
--- a/src/ico.imageio/icooutput.cpp
+++ b/src/ico.imageio/icooutput.cpp
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@ class ICOOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     bool close() override;
     bool write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
                         stride_t xstride) override;
-    bool write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                    stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride,
-                    stride_t zstride) override;
 
 private:
     std::string m_filename;                ///< Stash the filename
@@ -47,7 +44,6 @@ class ICOOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     int m_and_slb;  ///< AND mask scanline length in bytes
     int m_bpp;      ///< Bits per pixel
     unsigned int m_dither;
-    std::vector<unsigned char> m_tilebuffer;
 
     png_structp m_png;  ///< PNG read structure pointer
     png_infop m_info;   ///< PNG image info structure pointer
@@ -361,11 +357,6 @@ ICOOutput::open(const std::string& name, const ImageSpec& userspec,
         fseek(m_file, m_offset + sizeof(bmi), SEEK_SET);
     }
 
-    // If user asked for tiles -- which this format doesn't support, emulate
-    // it by buffering the whole image.
-    if (m_spec.tile_width && m_spec.tile_height)
-        m_tilebuffer.resize(m_spec.image_bytes());
-
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -392,15 +383,6 @@ ICOOutput::close()
         return true;
     }
 
-    bool ok = true;
-    if (m_spec.tile_width) {
-        // Handle tile emulation -- output the buffered pixels
-        OIIO_ASSERT(m_tilebuffer.size());
-        ok &= write_scanlines(m_spec.y, m_spec.y + m_spec.height, 0,
-                              m_spec.format, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-        std::vector<unsigned char>().swap(m_tilebuffer);
-    }
-
     if (m_png) {
         PNG_pvt::write_end(m_png, m_info);
         if (m_png || m_info)
@@ -411,7 +393,7 @@ ICOOutput::close()
     fclose(m_file);
     m_file = NULL;
     init();  // re-initialize
-    return ok;
+    return true;
 }
 
 
@@ -516,14 +498,4 @@ ICOOutput::write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
 
 
 
-bool
-ICOOutput::write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                      stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride, stride_t zstride)
-{
-    // Emulate tiles by buffering the whole image
-    return copy_tile_to_image_buffer(x, y, z, format, data, xstride, ystride,
-                                     zstride, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-}
-
-
 OIIO_PLUGIN_NAMESPACE_END
diff --git a/src/jpeg.imageio/jpegoutput.cpp b/src/jpeg.imageio/jpegoutput.cpp
index f6058deb25..17962a22ed 100644
--- a/src/jpeg.imageio/jpegoutput.cpp
+++ b/src/jpeg.imageio/jpegoutput.cpp
@@ -40,9 +40,6 @@ class JpgOutput final : public ImageOutput {
               OpenMode mode = Create) override;
     bool write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
                         stride_t xstride) override;
-    bool write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                    stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride,
-                    stride_t zstride) override;
     bool close() override;
     bool copy_image(ImageInput* in) override;
 
@@ -55,7 +52,7 @@ class JpgOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     struct jpeg_error_mgr c_jerr;
     jvirt_barray_ptr* m_copy_coeffs;
     struct jpeg_decompress_struct* m_copy_decompressor;
-    std::vector<unsigned char> m_tilebuffer;
+
     // m_outbuffer/m_outsize are used for jpeg-to-memory
     unsigned char* m_outbuffer = nullptr;
 #if OIIO_JPEG_LIB_VERSION >= 94
@@ -356,11 +353,6 @@ JpgOutput::open(const std::string& name, const ImageSpec& newspec,
 
     m_dither = m_spec.get_int_attribute("oiio:dither", 0);
 
-    // If user asked for tiles -- which JPEG doesn't support, emulate it by
-    // buffering the whole image.
-    if (m_spec.tile_width && m_spec.tile_height)
-        m_tilebuffer.resize(m_spec.image_bytes());
-
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -517,17 +509,6 @@ JpgOutput::write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
 
 
 
-bool
-JpgOutput::write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                      stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride, stride_t zstride)
-{
-    // Emulate tiles by buffering the whole image
-    return copy_tile_to_image_buffer(x, y, z, format, data, xstride, ystride,
-                                     zstride, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-}
-
-
-
 bool
 JpgOutput::close()
 {
@@ -536,16 +517,6 @@ JpgOutput::close()
         return true;
     }
 
-    bool ok = true;
-
-    if (m_spec.tile_width) {
-        // We've been emulating tiles; now dump as scanlines.
-        OIIO_DASSERT(m_tilebuffer.size());
-        ok &= write_scanlines(m_spec.y, m_spec.y + m_spec.height, 0,
-                              m_spec.format, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-        std::vector<unsigned char>().swap(m_tilebuffer);  // free it
-    }
-
     if (m_next_scanline < spec().height && m_copy_coeffs == NULL) {
         // But if we've only written some scanlines, write the rest to avoid
         // errors
@@ -578,7 +549,7 @@ JpgOutput::close()
     }
 
     init();
-    return ok;
+    return true;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/png.imageio/pngoutput.cpp b/src/png.imageio/pngoutput.cpp
index 00e11947c9..7d06eca25f 100644
--- a/src/png.imageio/pngoutput.cpp
+++ b/src/png.imageio/pngoutput.cpp
@@ -38,9 +38,6 @@ class PNGOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     bool write_scanlines(int ybegin, int yend, int z, TypeDesc format,
                          const void* data, stride_t xstride = AutoStride,
                          stride_t ystride = AutoStride) override;
-    bool write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                    stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride,
-                    stride_t zstride) override;
 
 private:
     std::string m_filename;  ///< Stash the filename
@@ -55,7 +52,6 @@ class PNGOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     float m_gamma = 1.0f;   ///< Gamma to use for alpha conversion
     std::vector<unsigned char> m_scratch;
     std::vector<png_text> m_pngtext;
-    std::vector<unsigned char> m_tilebuffer;
     bool m_err = false;
 
     // Initialize private members to pre-opened state
@@ -240,11 +236,6 @@ PNGOutput::open(const std::string& name, const ImageSpec& userspec,
     m_convert_alpha = m_spec.alpha_channel != -1
                       && !m_spec.get_int_attribute("oiio:UnassociatedAlpha", 0);
 
-    // If user asked for tiles -- which this format doesn't support, emulate
-    // it by buffering the whole image.
-    if (m_spec.tile_width && m_spec.tile_height)
-        m_tilebuffer.resize(m_spec.image_bytes());
-
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -258,15 +249,6 @@ PNGOutput::close()
         return true;
     }
 
-    bool ok = true;
-    if (m_spec.tile_width) {
-        // Handle tile emulation -- output the buffered pixels
-        OIIO_ASSERT(m_tilebuffer.size());
-        ok &= write_scanlines(m_spec.y, m_spec.y + m_spec.height, 0,
-                              m_spec.format, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-        std::vector<unsigned char>().swap(m_tilebuffer);
-    }
-
     if (m_png) {
         PNG_pvt::write_end(m_png, m_info);
         if (m_png || m_info)
@@ -276,7 +258,7 @@ PNGOutput::close()
     }
 
     init();  // re-initialize
-    return ok;
+    return true;
 }
 
 
@@ -457,14 +439,4 @@ PNGOutput::write_scanlines(int ybegin, int yend, int z, TypeDesc format,
 
 
 
-bool
-PNGOutput::write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                      stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride, stride_t zstride)
-{
-    // Emulate tiles by buffering the whole image
-    return copy_tile_to_image_buffer(x, y, z, format, data, xstride, ystride,
-                                     zstride, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-}
-
-
 OIIO_PLUGIN_NAMESPACE_END
diff --git a/src/pnm.imageio/pnmoutput.cpp b/src/pnm.imageio/pnmoutput.cpp
index 54596a3afa..1bb94b9677 100644
--- a/src/pnm.imageio/pnmoutput.cpp
+++ b/src/pnm.imageio/pnmoutput.cpp
@@ -30,9 +30,6 @@ class PNMOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     bool write_scanlines(int ybegin, int yend, int z, TypeDesc format,
                          const void* data, stride_t xstride = AutoStride,
                          stride_t ystride = AutoStride) override;
-    bool write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                    stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride,
-                    stride_t zstride) override;
 
 private:
     std::string m_filename;  // Stash the filename
@@ -42,7 +39,6 @@ class PNMOutput final : public ImageOutput {
 
     unsigned int m_dither;
     std::vector<unsigned char> m_scratch;
-    std::vector<unsigned char> m_tilebuffer;
 
     void init(void) { ioproxy_clear(); }
 
@@ -310,10 +306,6 @@ PNMOutput::open(const std::string& name, const ImageSpec& userspec,
             ok &= iowritefmt("{}\n", scale);
         }
     }
-    // If user asked for tiles -- which this format doesn't support, emulate
-    // it by buffering the whole image.
-    if (m_spec.tile_width && m_spec.tile_height)
-        m_tilebuffer.resize(m_spec.image_bytes());
 
     return ok;
 }
@@ -326,17 +318,8 @@ PNMOutput::close()
     if (!ioproxy_opened())  // already closed
         return true;
 
-    bool ok = true;
-    if (m_spec.tile_width) {
-        // Handle tile emulation -- output the buffered pixels
-        OIIO_DASSERT(m_tilebuffer.size());
-        ok &= ImageOutput::write_scanlines(m_spec.y, m_spec.y + m_spec.height,
-                                           0, m_spec.format, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-        m_tilebuffer.shrink_to_fit();
-    }
-
     init();
-    return ok;
+    return true;
 }
 
 
@@ -422,14 +405,4 @@ PNMOutput::write_scanlines(int ybegin, int yend, int z, TypeDesc format,
 
 
 
-bool
-PNMOutput::write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                      stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride, stride_t zstride)
-{
-    // Emulate tiles by buffering the whole image
-    return copy_tile_to_image_buffer(x, y, z, format, data, xstride, ystride,
-                                     zstride, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-}
-
-
 OIIO_PLUGIN_NAMESPACE_END
diff --git a/src/rla.imageio/rlaoutput.cpp b/src/rla.imageio/rlaoutput.cpp
index fec2736d51..6afcad128f 100644
--- a/src/rla.imageio/rlaoutput.cpp
+++ b/src/rla.imageio/rlaoutput.cpp
@@ -35,16 +35,12 @@ class RLAOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     bool close() override;
     bool write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
                         stride_t xstride) override;
-    bool write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                    stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride,
-                    stride_t zstride) override;
 
 private:
     std::vector<unsigned char> m_scratch;
     RLAHeader m_rla;                   ///< Wavefront RLA header
     std::vector<uint32_t> m_sot;       ///< Scanline offset table
     std::vector<unsigned char> m_rle;  ///< Run record buffer for RLE
-    std::vector<unsigned char> m_tilebuffer;
     unsigned int m_dither;
 
     // Initialize private members to pre-opened state
@@ -340,11 +336,6 @@ RLAOutput::open(const std::string& name, const ImageSpec& userspec,
     m_sot.resize(m_spec.height, (int32_t)0);
     write(&m_sot[0], m_sot.size());
 
-    // If user asked for tiles -- which this format doesn't support, emulate
-    // it by buffering the whole image.
-    if (m_spec.tile_width && m_spec.tile_height)
-        m_tilebuffer.resize(m_spec.image_bytes());
-
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -382,22 +373,13 @@ RLAOutput::close()
         return true;
     }
 
-    bool ok = true;
-    if (m_spec.tile_width) {
-        // Handle tile emulation -- output the buffered pixels
-        OIIO_DASSERT(m_tilebuffer.size());
-        ok &= write_scanlines(m_spec.y, m_spec.y + m_spec.height, 0,
-                              m_spec.format, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-        std::vector<unsigned char>().swap(m_tilebuffer);
-    }
-
     // Now that all scanlines have been output, return to write the
     // correct scanline offset table to file and close the stream.
     ioseek(sizeof(RLAHeader));
     write(m_sot.data(), m_sot.size());
 
     init();  // re-initialize
-    return ok;
+    return true;
 }
 
 
@@ -545,14 +527,4 @@ RLAOutput::write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
 
 
 
-bool
-RLAOutput::write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                      stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride, stride_t zstride)
-{
-    // Emulate tiles by buffering the whole image
-    return copy_tile_to_image_buffer(x, y, z, format, data, xstride, ystride,
-                                     zstride, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-}
-
-
 OIIO_PLUGIN_NAMESPACE_END
diff --git a/src/targa.imageio/targaoutput.cpp b/src/targa.imageio/targaoutput.cpp
index b580da9907..ef75e2c0bb 100644
--- a/src/targa.imageio/targaoutput.cpp
+++ b/src/targa.imageio/targaoutput.cpp
@@ -37,9 +37,6 @@ class TGAOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     bool close() override;
     bool write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
                         stride_t xstride) override;
-    bool write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                    stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride,
-                    stride_t zstride) override;
     bool set_thumbnail(const ImageBuf& thumb) override;
 
 private:
@@ -50,7 +47,6 @@ class TGAOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     std::vector<unsigned char> m_scratch;
     int m_idlen;  ///< Length of the TGA ID block
     unsigned int m_dither;
-    std::vector<unsigned char> m_tilebuffer;
     ImageBuf m_thumb;
 
     // Initialize private members to pre-opened state
@@ -239,11 +235,6 @@ TGAOutput::open(const std::string& name, const ImageSpec& userspec,
         }
     }
 
-    // If user asked for tiles -- which this format doesn't support, emulate
-    // it by buffering the whole image.
-    if (m_spec.tile_width && m_spec.tile_height)
-        m_tilebuffer.resize(m_spec.image_bytes());
-
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -421,16 +412,7 @@ TGAOutput::close()
         return true;
     }
 
-    bool ok = true;
-    if (m_spec.tile_width) {
-        // Handle tile emulation -- output the buffered pixels
-        OIIO_ASSERT(m_tilebuffer.size());
-        ok &= write_scanlines(m_spec.y, m_spec.y + m_spec.height, 0,
-                              m_spec.format, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-        m_tilebuffer.shrink_to_fit();
-    }
-
-    ok &= write_tga20_data_fields();
+    bool ok = write_tga20_data_fields();
 
     init();  // re-initialize
     return ok;
@@ -681,17 +663,6 @@ TGAOutput::write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
 
 
 
-bool
-TGAOutput::write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                      stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride, stride_t zstride)
-{
-    // Emulate tiles by buffering the whole image
-    return copy_tile_to_image_buffer(x, y, z, format, data, xstride, ystride,
-                                     zstride, &m_tilebuffer[0]);
-}
-
-
-
 bool
 TGAOutput::set_thumbnail(const ImageBuf& thumb)
 {
diff --git a/src/zfile.imageio/zfile.cpp b/src/zfile.imageio/zfile.cpp
index 65b3f4fc54..d2e326aa4a 100644
--- a/src/zfile.imageio/zfile.cpp
+++ b/src/zfile.imageio/zfile.cpp
@@ -92,16 +92,12 @@ class ZfileOutput final : public ImageOutput {
     bool close() override;
     bool write_scanline(int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
                         stride_t xstride) override;
-    bool write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                    stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride,
-                    stride_t zstride) override;
 
 private:
     std::string m_filename;  ///< Stash the filename
     FILE* m_file;            ///< Open image handle for not compressed
     gzFile m_gz;             ///< Handle for compressed files
     std::vector<unsigned char> m_scratch;
-    std::vector<unsigned char> m_tilebuffer;
 
     bool opened() const { return m_file || m_gz; }
 
@@ -112,7 +108,6 @@ class ZfileOutput final : public ImageOutput {
         m_gz   = 0;
         m_filename.clear();
         m_scratch.clear();
-        m_tilebuffer.clear();
     }
 };
 
@@ -306,11 +301,6 @@ ZfileOutput::open(const std::string& name, const ImageSpec& userspec,
         return false;
     }
 
-    // If user asked for tiles -- which this format doesn't support, emulate
-    // it by buffering the whole image.this form
-    if (m_spec.tile_width && m_spec.tile_height)
-        m_tilebuffer.resize(m_spec.image_bytes());
-
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -324,15 +314,6 @@ ZfileOutput::close()
         return true;
     }
 
-    bool ok = true;
-    if (m_spec.tile_width && m_tilebuffer.size()) {
-        // We've been emulating tiles; now dump as scanlines.
-        ok &= write_scanlines(m_spec.y, m_spec.y + m_spec.height, 0,
-                              m_spec.format, m_tilebuffer.data());
-        m_tilebuffer.clear();
-        m_tilebuffer.shrink_to_fit();
-    }
-
     if (m_gz) {
         gzclose(m_gz);
         m_gz = 0;
@@ -343,7 +324,7 @@ ZfileOutput::close()
     }
 
     init();  // re-initialize
-    return ok;
+    return true;
 }
 
 
@@ -382,19 +363,4 @@ ZfileOutput::write_scanline(int y, int /*z*/, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
 
 
 
-bool
-ZfileOutput::write_tile(int x, int y, int z, TypeDesc format, const void* data,
-                        stride_t xstride, stride_t ystride, stride_t zstride)
-{
-    if (!opened()) {
-        errorfmt("File not open");
-        return false;
-    }
-    // Emulate tiles by buffering the whole image
-    OIIO_ASSERT(m_tilebuffer.data());
-    return copy_tile_to_image_buffer(x, y, z, format, data, xstride, ystride,
-                                     zstride, m_tilebuffer.data());
-}
-
-
 OIIO_PLUGIN_NAMESPACE_END