Adobe Camera Raw VS. Photoshop?

When should you use Camera Raw for white balancing and other image adjustments vs. Photoshop. Besides working with raw camera format images, are there things that ACR does better than PS?
Thanks.

I am of a mind with D Fosse on this one. Make it look right initially in ACR then make it right in Photoshop.
You might find there are those who seem adamant about doing virtually EVERYTHING in Camera Raw, but that seems flawed to me, because it virtually ignores the power of Photoshop proper - and make no mistake, there's real power there.
You should know that I experimented quite heavily for days to determine what all the sliders do and to finally choose a set of ACR defaults I can live with as a starting point - knowing that even with that set of defaults I'll be adjusting sliders in the ACR dialog for individual images.
Note that the 2010 process in ACR does not embody as much noise reduction by default as the previous 2003 process did. Don't be surprised if you end up dialing-in quite a bit more of it in the converter than you thought you might. And it's not simple; the results don't depend on just one slider, but a combination of several noise reduction and detail sliders. Tricky stuff to say the least, but it is conquerable.
I don't think there's any shortcut for experimenting then looking critically at the results. I found experimentation when I was getting close to the settings I wanted that went all the way through to creation of my various needed results (e.g., web images and prints) was helpful. In other words, when you have things where you think you like them, actually TRY making whatever products you like from your raw files - including making the color and exposure corrections you would normally do, sharpening, etc., and actually making prints or whatever. Then you'll know what to expect when you're on the hot seat to produce.
-Noel

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Is there a way to open Adobe Camera Raw without Photoshop starting?

Is there a way to start up Adobe Camera Raw without Photoshop starting? I think in the past it started without Photoshop starting; or did it?

If you select the image in Adobe Bridge you can choose File > Open in Camera Raw. Adobe Camera Raw will open the image using Bridge as the host application and you won't have to start Photoshop. There's no way to open Camera Raw without a host application.
If you can't find Adobe Bridge on your computer and you are a Creative Cloud subscriber, Bridge is one of the programs you can install using the Creative Cloud application.

Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop Actions

Hi guys,
I'm having troubles with Adobe Camera Raw settings and Photoshop actions. Basically, here is what I want to do :
apply settings for the general colours, exposure, tint, etc., but keep an automatic undistortion of the images thanks to the metadata of the CR2 file.
The preset I've done is working fine, and when I'm in ACR, I can apply the same preset to different photos with different lenses. Then when I'm opening them in photoshop, they look allright.
The problem seems to appear when I'm creating the action in photoshop. No matter if the lens profile is set to 'auto' in the preset, it looks like it's applying the one from the original preset. Then let's say the preset was created with a 50mm, then when I launch the action on a 85mm, the undistortion is wrong ...
If anybody has an idea how to fix the problem, that would be really helpful !
Thanks a lot,
Julien

This particular forum (sharing and storage) was created to help those transitioning from Photoshop.com to Adobe Revel. I am moving your post to the correct forum so that it can get proper attention. I understand that it is difficult to determine which forum to post in since there are so many.
I'll put I this posting in the photoshop community so the experts there can help you.
We also have many other forums relating to other Adobe products
http://forums.adobe.com/community/
http://forums.adobe.com
Out of curiosity, can you tell me how you found our forum page?

Adobe Camera Raw to Photoshop Workflow

Hi
Can someone please tell me those edits which should/Must be done in Adobe Camera raw on a Raw image prior to importing and editing with Photoshop.
I believe its the following.
-White Balance
-Crop
-Exposure to recover blown highlights
-Tone adjustments to contrast and Brightness
-Lens Chromatic and vignetting
-Renaming and 16bit exporting
Every thing else can be carried out ion the Tif in PS
Thanks
Carlo

Most Camera Raw-oriented people say do as much as possible in the plug-in, but I tend to think that Photoshop (the main app) isn't all washed up just yet.
I do pretty much what you listed, myself.
When CS5 was first released with Camera Raw and the new 2010 process, I did quite a bit of experimentation to find out just what seemed to give the best results with regard to delivering the best detail in my images. It turns out doing upsampling in Camera Raw to the highest or next to highest pixel count gives slightly better, more natural looking detail IMO. Of course you need a good computer to handle the extra image size.
Converting to 16 bits/channel seems prudent.
Also note that if you convert to anything other than the ProPhoto RGB color space you chance getting channel clipping, where values for one of the color channels come up solid black, even though the camera may have measured above-0 luminance in those parts of the image.
-Noel

Adobe Camera Raw 7.0 in Photoshop CS6 | Photoshop CS6 Feature Tour | Adobe TV

Adobe Digital Imaging Evangelist Julieanne Kost shows off the new features in Adobe Camera Raw in Photoshop CS6.
http://adobe.ly/I5cT45

I thought that my Camera Raw 7.3 was the older version, but in fact, I believe that Julieanne was using the older version in some of her videos, that threw me off!

Aperture vs Adobe Camera Raw

Hey,
So, lately I've been shooting in RAW and have finally found some time to process some of the images. I am a Mac user, so I have the option of using either Aperture, or Adobe Camera Raw (Lightroom). Can someone please explain to me the main difference between the two programs, in terms of their ability to retouch/edit RAW images. I've had experience with Adobe Camera Raw (through photoshop cs6) and believe it is an excellent piece of software, does Aperture provide the same kind and quality of tools. The reason I am asking is because while I need a program to help process the RAW files, I also want to organize them in a library where I can see my edits. I am currently using iPhoto and I like the way it works.
So to summarize the question, is aperture as good at processing/editing RAW images as Adobe Camera Raw? If not, why, what are the differences?
Thanks!

So to summarize the question, is aperture as good at processing/editing RAW images as Adobe Camera Raw? If not, why, what are the differences?
Much of the difference between the two has to do with the way brushes work (for local adjustments) and some features.
Brushes:
In ACR, the adjustment brush works as a multi-parameter brush where you brush in strokes and can adjust quite a few parameters after adding the brush stroke (e.g., exposure, highlights, shadows, sharpening, noise reduction, clarity, saturation, etc.). ACR adds a 'pin' for each new adjustment which can then be selected to change the parameters of that adjustment.
In Aperture, you use what is called a 'brick' which is a panel dedicated to the type of adjustment (e.g., enhance, highlights & shadows, edge sharpen, noise reduction, etc.). In this case, you use each 'brick' (or panel) to change the brushed in parameters for that specific type of adjustment.
In summary; you can add or change more parameters in ACR with one brushed adjustment than you can in Aperture, but both can add or change the same parameters (with the exception of exposure, which Aperture doesn't currently do as a local brushable adjustment).
ACR has arguably better sharpening and noise reduction control. ACR also has a gradient tool and lens distortion correction which Aperture currently lacks.
I do find that brush speed is about the same with a lot of adjustments added, with Aperture getting better marks overall.
All that said, I would be surprised if Aperture didn't receive some of the tools it currently lacks in the future.
As far as RAW decoding goes, Aperture relies on the OS X camera RAW compatibility feature to render RAW files, so you will already have a sense of what that default render is like with iPhoto and Preview. Aperture can alter those parameters either as a RAW fine tuning preset that you create or with the adjustment bricks.
FWIW, I have been using Adobe ACR at work (on Windows) since it's inception; and while I like the results with some images with regards to highlights, shadows, sharpening and noise, I can get there faster with Aperture. I also don't agree with Adobe's new rental policy for the CC line, so won't be investing in their products anymore. I quite like the 'App Store' paradigm.
Hope that helps.

Adding Sony plugin to Adobe Camera Raw (6.7)

Can't figure out how to add Sony's ARW2 raw format to Adobe Camera Raw for Photoshop CS5. Am I forced to go to PS6 and all that Cloud stuff?

If you install the Sony plug-in, or any other Sony software, in Photoshop, it will create massive conflicts.
You can't add anything to any version Adobe Camera Raw for Photoshop. ACR itsel if is nothing but a Photoshop plug-in. You can only install plug-ins in Photoshop proper, the same way ACR itself is installed. But, as per the previous paragraph, that is a monumentally bad idea.
To convert your Sony raw files, you use EITHER ACR in Photoshop, or skip Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop and use the Sony software for the conversion.

I am unable to open raw files from my Canon T1i in Adobe Camera Raw of my version CS3 of Photoshop. I have tried to update my ACR by downloading version 4.6 from the Adobe website but I am still unable to open raw files, just JPEG. Is there a way to use

I am unable to open raw files taken on my Canon Rebel T1i in my version of Photoshop CS3. When I import raw files into Bridge they come up as patches with CR2 on them and when clicked on, a notice comes up stating that Photoshop does not recognize these files. I tried to update my Adobe Camera Raw by downloading version 4.6 from the Adobe Website, but when I clicked on the plus-in, I got another message that Photoshop does not recognize this file. I spoke with a representative from Canon who said that I could not update CS3 and that I should subscribe to the Cloud. I would prefer to use my CS3, if possible. Can anyone advise me what to do?

The T1i was first supported by Camera Raw 5.4 which is only compatible with CS4 and later
Camera Raw plug-in | Supported cameras
Camera Raw-compatible Adobe applications
Some options:
Upgrade to CS6
Join the Cloud
Download the free Adobe DNG converter, convert all T1i Raw files to DNGs then edit the DNGs in CS3
Camera raw, DNG | Adobe Photoshop CC

Currently Have Photoshop CS3 & Adobe Bridge CS3 2.1.1.9. According to Adobe, Camera Raw 4.6 supports Nikon D810 NEF files. I have downloaded Camera Raw 4.6 Update. When I try to open Nikon D810 NEF files, I get photoshop error that says "cannot complete

Currently Have Photoshop CS3 & Adobe Bridge CS3 2.1.1.9.
According to Adobe, Camera Raw 4.6 supports Nikon D810 NEF files. I have downloaded Camera Raw 4.6 Update. When
I try to open Nikon D810 NEF files, I get photoshop error that says
"cannot complete request your because it is not the right kind of
document. These NEF files wont open in Bridge at all. What am I doing wrong?

Camera Raw plug-in | Supported cameras

How to change preference setting in Photoshop CC 2014 to not automatically lauch Adobe Camera Raw when opening Nikon raw .NEF file

When I launch Photoshop CC 2014 and then open a .nef raw file it launches Adobe Camera Raw and I click Open Image, then I "Convert to Smart Object" then launch Filter > Camera Raw Filter. Is there a preference somewhere for raw files that just bring you right into Adobe Photoshop without stopping at Camera Raw first? Thanks!

Gene,
Ah! Okay, makes sense now. I just learned tonight that some features are not available when using Camera Raw as a Smart Filter. One being Lens Profile Correction. So it makes sense to have have Camera Raw open right off the bat to make some tweaks first then continue on. I found the below on the Adobe website. Thank you so much!!
Note: The following features are not available when using Camera Raw as a Smart Filter (that are normally available in Camera Raw), primarily because they don’t make sense in the filter context: Workflow options and preferences, crop and straighten tools, rotation tools (rotate left/right buttons), snapshots, camera and lens profile corrections.

Lightroom 1.1 - Adobe Camera RAW 4.1 (Bridge, Photoshop CS3) problem

Dear all,
I am having some problems with the appearance of files developed in adobe lightroom 1.1 or in adobe camera raw 4.1 from e.g. bridge or photoshop cs3. When developing in lightroom the images look great, however when using acr 4.1 and the same xmp sidecar settings imported from lightroom, the image in acr looks very pale in comparison. For example when using the export into photoshop option in Lightroom, the image in PS3 looks very pale to the one in lightroom. The same problem persists with developing using ACR 4.1 from bridge. I have turned autotoning in ACR off. Also in the color management of PS CS3, the desaturate checkbox is UNchecked.
I am using an icc profile for my 30" cinema display, calibrated with colory eyes pro and a spyder2.
Has anybody had similar problems with ACR 4.1 or am I just doing something horribly simple wrong?
Thanks for your help!
Immanuel

Thomas,
thanks for your reply. In Mac OS X Preview the images look all good and very much like what I see in Lightroom. In any case not as pale or like with a slight white overcast to what I see when using ACR 4.1 from Bridge or Photoshop CS3. In PS color settings, preserving embedded profiles is checked. Yes, it seems to me as well that this is some color management issue. The 30" Cinema display was calibrated using Color Eyes Pro and Spyder2 to Gamma 2.2 and 6500 temp. However, even when reverting to the standard Apple color profile for the monitor, the problem persists.
No luck so far...
Immanuel

I cannot access Adobe Camera Raw Plug-in although it's listed in CS6 "PHOTOSHOP" menu along with my other plug ins. And I can't find it on my iMAC (10.9.5)

In CS6, how do I access the Adobe Camera Raw plug in that's listed with my other (easily accessible) plug ins: I can't find it through "automate", or "Filter" or "extensions".. I am on iMAC 10.9.5 (Mavericks)

I believe camera raw as a filter is CC only. You can access camera raw by selecting a raw, tiff or jpg image from your drive. Raw is the only one that will open by default. You must tell camera raw to open tiff and jpg in the preferences.
You can also use file>open or file>place then specify camera raw as file type. In this case it will open any of the three formats without changing the preferences.
Once the image is in Photoshop, it should be a smart object if you choose open as object instead of open as image in camera raw. As a smart object, you can double click on the thumbnail in the layers panel. This will open camera raw with that image.

Adobe Camera Raw 7.4 is now available for Photoshop Elements 11

Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) 7.4 is now available to download for Photoshop Elements 11. More information regarding the additonal camera support added can be found at link here. For updating your camera raw plug-in in Photoshop Elements 11 follow the steps mentioned in blog post: http://blogs.adobe.com/pselements/adobe-camera-raw-7-4-is-now-available-for-photoshop-elem ents-11/

Download and install the free Adobe DNG converter to convert your raw files to the Adobe universal Raw format and the files will open in all versions of PSE (keep your originals as backups and for use in the camera manufactures software)
Windows download click here DNG Converter 7.4
Mac download click here DNG Converter 7.4
You can convert a whole folder of raw images in one click. See this quick video tutorial:
You Tube click here for DNG Converter tutorial

Will Adobe Camera Raw 7.4 or 8.7.1 work with Adobe Photoshop CS 5 version 12.1 x64 bit on a Mac OSX version 10.7.5 Lion.I am having differculty opening Raw RAF files on Camera Fuji X100s.Many thanks for your help out there.

WILL Adobe Camera Raw 7.4 or Later version 8.7.1 work with Adobe Photoshop CS5.5 extended version 12.1 x 64 bit with a Mac OSX
10.7.5 lion. I am having trouble opening RAF raw files on my newly acquired Fuji X100S camera.Many thanks

With that version of Photoshop, the most recent version of Camera Raw you can use is 6.7. If updating your Photoshop or subscribing to the creative cloud is not an option then you could use the free DNG converter provided by Adobe. The latest version of the DNG converter is 8.7.1. I am not familiar with Mac operating systems, so I'm not certain if your OS is compatible with the latest version. You can download it and try.
Adobe - Adobe Camera Raw and DNG Converter : For Macintosh : Adobe DNG Converter 8.7.1

Is Photoshop CS5 compatible with the new Adobe Camera RAW 8.6?

Is Photoshop CS5 compatible with the new Adobe Camera RAW 8.6?
I am using the new Nikon D810. Adobe Camera RAW has this new camera included. But I cannot open the NEF files in Photoshop CS5

NO

Output sharpening in Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) and Photoshop CS5

Output sharpening in Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) and Photoshop CS5
I want to do two-pass sharpening - capture and output - with output capture done just before I print. I do the initial (capture) sharpening in the ACR Detail/Sharpening panel, with Amount slider set to, for example, 100. Then, I open the image to PS CS5 as a Smart Object, and use layers and masks for further editting.
My question is, can I go back to ACR for the final (output) sharpening pass? When I re-open the file in ACR, the Sharpening Amount slider is back to zero, but the other three sliders are still at the settings I used at the start of the process, i.e., the capture sharpening. If I again set the Amount slider to a positive value, then again open the image in PS for printing, will my second pass through the ACR Sharpening panel take effect - will it accumulate on top of the initial sharpening?
By the way, the reason I want do output sharpening in ACR rather than, say, PS Unsharp Mask, is so I can use the Masking slider in ACR, which is much easier than the comparable techniques available in PS. I am aware that some say you should not do any masking for the output sharpening. I'd like to though.
Thanks for ideas.

This is pretty much the way I do it, and I also always found ACR sharpening superior to anything in Photoshop. There is the "sharpen for output" in ACR, but you have little control over it.
The tricky part is feeding the file through ACR a second time. I don't think re-opening the Smart Object will do anything more than you could have done the first time. I do it with a rendered TIFF, and have an intricate set of actions that I run in the Image Processor Pro. It's a mess, and you don't want to know.
The frustrating part is how to action ACR. I just can't figure it out. It'll work, and then I have to change some setting and the action stops working. I suspect you need a script, but so far I haven't found any.
So I've come to a compromise: I first process to TIFF in a temp folder, then I bulk open them in ACR to sharpen, then a second process to finish up.
For less critical files I have a sharpening action that comes close, involving edge masks and blend ifs, using smart sharpen which tends to preserve edges better than unsharp mask, and with less accumulation of noise.
Bottom line: I'm also very interested in further comments to this. BTW, I recently bought Lightroom 4, so maybe there is a posibility using that in a mixed workflow.

Adobe Camera Raw VS. Photoshop?

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