Canon CRW Raw files not supported in Preview, Nikon supported

Question

With Panther and Jaguar, Canon RAW files in crw format were supported in Preview. In Tiger, these files are not. Also, when importing these files from camera or CF reader, canon raw files tagged with .thm! What is this? an 8 kb "document" that renders file corrupt. Did not happen in Panther or Jaguar. And the problem is NOT my camera because it works fine on Windows PC and on previous OS mac.
here's the kicker: Nikon NEF raw format is NOW supported by Preview, but was NOT supported in Panther and Jaguar.
So, I called AppleCare and they say NO raw formats should be supported by Preview.
Another example of how Apple has lost compatibility and quality control?
Anyone else who uses RAW files in photography have same experience?
Thanks.
Michael.

Answer 1

The easiest way to edit plist files is with Property List Editor, which you get installed if you install the Developer stuff that comes with your OS install disks. If you don't want to add all that stuff your computer, it is possible to edit with a a straight text editing program in plain text. Personally I find that too confusing. I put a copy of my edited Raw.plist file up:
http://homepage.mac.com/francines/.Public/Raw.plist.zip
It has the substitution of the S50 for the original S60. It also lists the S70, so your Canon S70 should be working. If it isn't working either, then this hack won't help you. Download and unzip the file.
Because of permissions--you aren't supposed to be mucking about in this area--the easiest way to proceed is using the Terminal. The path is, unfortunately, extremely long. You open the System folder, then the Library folder, then Frameworks, ApplicationServices.framework, then Versions/A/Frameworks/ImageIO.framework/Versions/A/Resources. You should now see a list of files that includes the Raw.plist file. Leave that Finder window open.
Launch Terminal from your /Applications/Utilities folder. If you have never used it, nor ever used a sudo command you will get a friendly warning when you issue the first command. We want to make sure that the original file doesn't get lost. So type:
sudo mv
and a space, then drag the Raw.plist file into the Terminal and drop it. The Terminal will helpfully fill in the path. Add a space, then copy the path up to the file name and paste, then type RawOld.plist as the new file name and hit the Return key. You'll need to type your password, which is NOT echoed to the screen, so type carefully and hit the return key again.
Next you want to add the modified Raw.plist file to the folder. Using a sudo copy command will insure that it belongs to system. So type
sudo cp
add a space and drag the new Raw.plist file into the Terminal window. Paste in the path to the folder (it should still be on the clipboard) hit return, give your password and hit return again. I don't remember whether it was necessary to restart the Finder or not. You might want to do a restart and then Repair Permissions, just to be on the safe side.
Francine
Schwieder