Camera Raw Tutorial

Your problem: You can’t open your raw files!

Here’s the scenario: You just started shooting raw files, because you know they are the best quality. But, you can’t get those raw files to open in Photoshop, Photoshop Elements or Lightroom! You’re ready to give up!

Here are some solutions for you!

I suggest you read all the way down to the bottom of this page before trying anything.

Capturing images in RAW file format is far more flexible than capturing jpgs. However, sometimes your camera and the software on your computer don’t quite sync up. This is true if you have a brand new camera and an older version of Photoshop, or new Photoshop that hasn’t been updated.

If that is the case, you may have to update your Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) plugin for Photoshop. Follow the directions in Step One below.

Now, if that doesn’t do the trick, you’ll have to download the free Adobe DNG Converter utility, which will convert files from over 200 any digital camera Raw files to a more universal RAW file format, DNG (which stands for digital negative), which can then be opened in an older version of Photoshop. (Older being CS2, Cs3, CS4.) Photoshop Elements can also open RAW files, and you may have to follow the same process if you have a newer camera and an older version of Elements. See Step Two and Three below.

If you would like to learn more about shooting and editing raw files, have a look at my 30-day online course:
Six Simple Steps to Shoot & Edit Camera Raw Files

READ the following if you can’t open your RAW files in Photoshop

Step One: Update Adobe Camera Raw (ACR)

Update and install the latest version of ACR (v6.6 as of December 2011)
Use the Adobe updater (if it’s installed on your computer). That way all the updates will be automatic and much simpler than the manual method.
Detailed instructions are included on the download page of the Adobe site
If you are using Photoshop CS2 – the latest version of ACR is 3.7
If you are using Photoshop CS3 – the latest version of ACR is 4.6
If you are using Photoshop CS4 – the latest version of ACR is 5.7
If you are using Photoshop CS5 – the latest version of ACR is 6.6
Once you have installed the latest version, try again to open your camera RAW files
Easiest way is to navigate to the folder where your RAW files are using Adobe Bridge
If this doesn’t work, go to Step Two.

Here are the direct links to the latest Adobe Camera Raw updates for Photoshop:

Mac
Windows

Step Two: Download DNG Converter

If Step One doesn’t work, you will need to convert your files to DNG format, and then use ACR after that to open the converted files
Once you get your file converted to a DNG, it will open in any recent version of Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, and other RAW image converters too.

Links to the latest Adobe DNG Converters (as of Dec 2011):

Step Three: Convert Your Files

To use the DNG converter, follow these steps: (These are for Mac, but the PC steps are very similar)

Go to the appropriate link above and download the latest Adobe DNG Converter
Place it in your Applications folder
Launch the DNG Converter application
Select the folder where your raw files are located and click Convert
You can save the new files to another folder, which I suggest you do, (and perhaps delete the original raw files once you are certain the new DNG files will open)
You can also re-name your new DNG files, but it might be simpler to keep their original file numbering
The DNG files are also slightly smaller than your raw files, but don’t worry, all the quality is there

Suggestion

Try one small folder of images first to test

The DNG converter converts your raw files to the DNG format which can then be opened using ACR and Photoshop CS2, CS3, CS4 or CS5
Very simple and fast. Converting files to DNG is actually considered very beneficial, as it is an archival format and it also uses a loss-less compression which makes the DNG files 15% smaller
DNG files can be opened by all RAW conversion software and in the future may become the standard file format for all digital cameras

Camera Raw for Photoshop Elements Version 9 for Mac or Windows

Follow the same steps as with Photoshop above.

Here are the updates to the Adobe Camera Raw plugins for Photoshop Elements V9 and V10 MAC & Windows. This will make it much easier to open your RAW files as you shouldn’t have to go through the DNG conversion process if you are using Version 9 or 10! This is great news for Elements users.

Camera Raw for Lightroom

If you are using Photoshop Lightroom for your image editing, the updates for ACR are here:

ACR for Lightroom

Final Words

I have walked many people through this procedure in person and over the phone. I have done it with Mac and Windows and I know it works. So don’t give up! Follow the directions carefully and you will succeed.

Converting files to DNG format will also allow you to open your RAW files in other software such as Aperture, Lightroom, Capture One, iPhoto, GIMP and many more, especially if your software is a little older – not 5 years older or more though – just if you haven’t got the latest and greatest versions yet.

There are also instructions for this procedure found on the Adobe site in the same locations as you get the ACR and DNG converter updates