How to convert RAW into jpgs?

Question

I used to use Capture One by Phase One to process my RAW images into jpgs, when I had WinXP on my pc. With my new computer, it has the new 64 bit, with Win Vista. Now, using Capture One is a total joke. You can't possibly get anything done.
How can I use Photoshop CS4 to process RAW images into jpgs? I don't see a way that I can apply changes on one image, to others in a particular group. With Capture One when it was good on WinXP, I could make changes to one, lighten/brighten, sharpen, change the color temp, etc., apply it to all the desired images, then click to output a certain size, say 5x7 at 200 ppi, hit the button, and it would do it. I don't see that I can do any of that in Photoshop, short of using the ever-annoying set and action, then automate.
Also, for professional work, where I'm processing hundreds of images at a time, is there other software I should look at, like Lightroom, Gimp, etc.?

Answer 1

jeff bach wrote:
How can I use Photoshop CS4 to process RAW images into jpgs?
Use Bridge and Camera Raw:  Navigate Bridge to the folder with your raw files.  In Bridge, select/highlight the images you wish to process and save, then Open in Camera Raw (File > Open in Camera Raw, or Ctrl-R, or right click and Open in Camera Raw from context menu). Your selected raw images will open in camera raw in Filmstrip view.  Make any desired camera raw adjustments then, still in camera raw, do Select All then at bottom Save Images...  which will bring up a save options box in which you can choose jpegs or tff, where to save, and other options.
With Capture One when it was good on WinXP, I could make changes to one, lighten/brighten, sharpen, change the color temp, etc., apply it to all the desired images, then click to output a certain size, say 5x7 at 200 ppi, hit the button, and it would do it. I don't see that I can do any of that in Photoshop, short of using the ever-annoying set and action, then automate.
There are several ways to make changes to one image in camera raw then apply the changes to other raw image files.  In camera raw filmstrip mode, select the images you want to apply an adjustment to then apply the adjustment to the first of those images and it will be applied to all the others that are selected.  Or apply adjustments to the first image of a series then add additional selections and use camera raw's Synchronize.  Or, make adjustments to first image in series then click done, which will return you to Bridge.  In Bridge, select the image you want to copy camera raw adjustments from then Develop Settings > Copy Settings.  Select all the target images that you want to receive these settings then Develop Settings > Copy Settings.  Both Copy settings and ACR's Synchronize will bring up a selection box where you can check which settings you want to copy.
You can select save ppi in camera raw.  You can use Camera Raw's crop function can get files to a desired aspect ratio if they are not already there.  Crop can be copied to other files via Synchronize or Develop settings - Copy if that is useful.  Getting a specific size in pixel dimensions may take another step.  Camera Raw offers a limited set of file sizes (in its Workflow Options).  If you want other than these, then one methodis to save images from Bridge using Photoshop's image processor.  After making camera raw adjustments and returning to Bridge, select desired raw images then Tools > Photoshop > Image Processor...  Set size and output options in the image processor.