Any work around for importing NEFs modified from NX2 or LR?

Question

I just got Aperture. Here is workflow I have a question for. I make changes in NX2 of the original NEF. I attempt to import the modified NEF into Aperture and Aperture will not even show a thumbnail of it.
1st, why doesn't Aperture at least import the original NEF, preferably the last modified NEF, either from NX2 or LR? As a note, Photo Mechanic will show the modified NEF, and LR will only show the original NEF.
2nd, if I convert it to a TIFF from NX2, which Aperture then can import, what do I loose from the NEF, if anything should I want to again modify at a later time (capturing in 14 bit)?
Any suggestions?
Message was edited by: D3 Shooter

Answer 1

You need to do a bit of homework on the nature of RAW and, to a lesser degree, the differences between Aperture and Lightroom and a pixel editor like Photoshop.
-- A RAW file is not an image. It is literally the raw output of the sensor. It cannot be edited, only read by a RAW converter, or, if you prefer, developer. At this time, there is no program that can actually edit RAW data.
-- Capture NX reads your raw NEF. If you make "edits" they are merely changes to the development processing; the original raw data are never changed. Capture NX can, indeed write these changes back to the NEF, but they are stored in a separate part of the file, that only CNX can read.
-- AP and LR have their own RAW development routines (LR uses Adobe Camera RAW). They read the RAW and store their "edits" in separate files, stored in their databases. These files are recombined, on the fly, everytime you view a file.
-- Thus AP cannot read "edits" performed in LR (or CNX) and vice versa.
-- The only workaround is to open a RAW in the program of your choice, make the "edits" ("adjustments" in AP speak) that you want, and then save a copy as a TIFF, JPEG, or similar. Thus you could open your file in CNX and save as a TIFF that you send to AP.
Hope this is helpful.