Camera Raw Files In Photoshop And Bridge; The Camera Raw Plug-In; Chapter 8: Camera Raw Files - Adobe PHOTOSHOP CS2 User Manual

Chapter 8: Camera raw files

Camera raw files in Photoshop and Bridge

Camera raw files
A camera raw file contains unprocessed picture data from a digital camera's image sensor. Many digital cameras can
save images files in camera raw format. In this way, photographers can interpret the image data rather than having
the camera make the adjustments and conversions automatically.
Camera raw image files contain the actual data captured by the sensor without any in-camera processing; these are
the only files containing "pure" data. Working with camera raw files gives you maximum control; you can set the
white balance, tonal range, contrast, color saturation, and sharpening. Think of camera raw files as your photo
negative. You can reprocess the file at any time to achieve the results you want.
To create raw files, you need to set your camera to save files in its own raw file format. In Adobe Bridge or Photoshop,
you can process only those camera raw files obtained from supported cameras. Visit the adobe.com website to view
a list of supported cameras.

The Camera Raw plug-in

The Camera Raw plug-in processes camera raw files with default image setting files based on Camera Raw's built-in
camera profiles for supported camera models and the EXIF data. Every camera model saves the camera raw image
in a unique format, but Camera Raw can process many camera raw file formats. When you first view thumbnails and
preview camera raw files in Bridge, you see the files with the default image settings applied. By default, Camera Raw
also uses an Auto Adjustments option that applies image settings to a file by evaluating the image data in addition to
using the Camera Raw default settings and the EXIF data. You can change the default settings, make advanced adjust­
ments, and specify file saving options using the tools and controls in the Camera Raw dialog box. You can save
settings for reuse or make them the default settings for a specific camera model.
Use the Camera Raw plug-in to perform the following tasks:
Preview camera raw images in Bridge using the default image settings.
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• Apply settings to camera raw files in Bridge without opening the Camera Raw dialog box.
Copy and paste the settings from one camera raw image to another in Bridge.
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Use the default image settings and open camera raw image files directly in Photoshop without opening the Camera
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Raw dialog box.
Process the files in the Camera Raw dialog box and open the images in Photoshop, where you can do further
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editing and save them in a supported file format.
• Process the files in the Camera Raw dialog box and either simply close the dialog box or save the camera raw
images in a file format supported by Photoshop.
• Automate the processing of a batch of camera raw files and save them in a Photoshop-supported file format using
the Image Processor, the Batch command, or a droplet.
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