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Posted on 10/11/08 01:17:04 AM |
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Steve Mac
Grunge Genie Posts: 539 Reply  |
Camera Raw
I just took a few pictures in RAW format and saved them to a folder on my hard drive. I can't view them in Bridge. It only shows the CR2 icon. I tried to open them under the File menu in windows, Open in Camera Raw is greyed out. I tried to Open with... Photoshop. I get a warning that reads this is not the right kind of document. Was I not supposed to copy them to my hard drive? Can someone explain to me how Camera RAW files work. Thanks Steve Mac |
Posted on 10/11/08 03:16:19 AM |
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cy98
** Posts: 104 Reply |
Re: Camera Raw
Have you opened a RAW picture before? If not do you have the correct ACR (Adobe Camera RAW) plug-in? In CS3 that should be in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Plugins\CS3\File Formats. Make sure it is compatible with CS2, as later ones only work with CS3 I have read. |
Posted on 10/11/08 08:41:51 AM |
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Nick Curtain
Model Master Posts: 1768 Reply  |
Re: Camera Raw
Steve Camera manufacturers have this really annoying habit of altering the RAW format with each successive model they introduce. I suspect you problem is due to the fact that your version of Photoshop / Bridge does not support the camera you are using. For example, I can open files taken with a 10D and 5D, but not with a 40D. If you have the latest version your problems should be over. I now use RAW constantly and my workflow involves viewing the files in the Canon software and deleting where appropriate. I then open the Card Reader drive in explorer, select all and then copy the files to an external hard drive. I create a new folder for each shoot. I then select the folder in Bridge and make bulk conversions, for example where shots have been taken using a grey card. The 5D files are approx 13MB, so if I'm shooting say 500 shots at a wedding and my colleague is too, then you can soon chew up a hard drive. If you have not done so already, I would suggest that one or two 500GB drives are a sound investment and ideal for back-up too. Nick |
Posted on 10/11/08 12:12:59 PM |
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Steve Mac
Grunge Genie Posts: 539 Reply |
Re: Camera Raw
Thanks cy98. I'm using CS2. There is a plug-in for CR. I didn't realize I had to have a plug-in. Does that get dragged and dropped into Adobe Photoshop CS2\Plug-Ins\Adobe Photoshop Only\File Formats folder? It has the extension .8BI is that right? Thanks Nick, I just got a Canon Rebel XSi. I think the camera might be too recent for CS2. I am going to get CS4 soon so I may have to wait until then if I can't get this to work. Thanks for the tip about the external drive. I do have a 350G HD I will use for now. Thanks Steve Mac |
Posted on 10/11/08 2:32:41 PM |
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cy98
** Posts: 104 Reply |
Re: Camera Raw
Steve - The plug-in has to be in the directory I showed above (Program Files/Common Files/ --- ), and none other. I have the .8BI also so should be right. Might check on what version it is and see if that covers the camera you use as Nick mentioned. |
Posted on 10/11/08 7:38:36 PM |
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vibeke
Kreative Kiwi Posts: 2166 Reply  |
Re: Camera Raw
Hi Steve, One easy way to get around different cameras RAW format is to convert your Raw files to DNG (digital negatives). http://www.adobe.com/products/dng/ I always do that as I download my raw files. You can choose that option as you download using Bridge or Lighttroom. it can also be done afterward. This way it doesn't matter which camera you use. |
Posted on 10/11/08 7:42:26 PM |
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michael sinclair
Off-Topic Opportunist Posts: 1871 Reply  |
Re: Camera Raw
I had exactly the same problem! Here's how to fix the problem: 1. If you have CS3, then download the 4.6 camera RAW update from the Adobe site 2. If You have CS4, then download the 5.1 camera RAW update from Adobe. PLEASE NOTE: the two updates are not interchangeable ! 3. Once downloaded, you MUST "Auto-install" the update. Do NOT manually place the 8BI file in the FILE FORMATS folder of Adobe Photoshop . 4. However, you're still not out of the woods yet, as there is one more step to take: Open Bridge and under TOOLS from the drop-down menu select "Cache" and then "Purge Cache" 5. Finally, get Bridge to open a folder with your camera raws in it, and you should now see image thumbnails where the generic thumbnails once were. Double click on the preview image in bridge and you'll be transported to Adobe Camera Raw which then lets you into Photoshop. I hope this helps 
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Posted on 10/11/08 11:25:35 PM |
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Steve Mac
Grunge Genie Posts: 539 Reply |
Re: Camera Raw
Thanks cy98, Vibeke and Michael. I'm still a little confused. Vibeke, you said: You can choose that option as you download using Bridge or Lighttroom. I'm not sure what you mean. I was under the impression I could copy my RAW files from the camera card to my hard drive and then edit them in Bridge or Lightroom from there. BTW, do you use Lightroom? I'm thinking of getting it. Michael, I only have CS2 at the moment. I wonder if I should just wait until I get CS4. So, are you saying there is already an update for CS4? It just came out a few weeks ago. Another question I have is, what is "cache", and how do I know which is the right location for it? How the heck do you guys learn these terms? I've been looking in the Bridge help and camera books, but I can't find any documentation on what this stuff is. Thank you for your time. steve Mac |
Posted on 10/11/08 11:33:04 PM |
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Steve Mac
Grunge Genie Posts: 539 Reply |
Re: Camera Raw
I was just looking at the Camera Raw plug-in. It reads "Adobe Photoshop Plugin". By dragging this into the PS plug-ins folder, does it allow you to use it in Bridge too, or is there a separate plug-in for Bridge? |
Posted on 11/11/08 01:52:59 AM |
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cy98
** Posts: 104 Reply |
Re: Camera Raw
Steve - The ACR is a plug-in but it does not go in the plug in directory. It must go in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Plugins\CS2\File Formats, and you can have only one version there. Anything else and camera raw will not work. There is a cache for Bridge and one for Photoshop. You decide where and how big to make it. It is best to be on a fast internal drive, and either a separate drive or on a separate partition. And ideally not on the same drive as the program. As the programs constantly reads and writes to the cache if it is on the main drive it can really fragment it, causing programs to works slower. I have a 40 gig partition that handles both caches. |
Posted on 11/11/08 7:41:55 PM |
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michael sinclair
Off-Topic Opportunist Posts: 1871 Reply |
Re: Camera Raw
Steve, Ok I'm up to speed with this one. First: you must realise that with CS2 that the latest and last update was Update 3.7 Second: is that if you have purchased a very recent DSLR (since February of last year!), then you're stuffed, anglo-saxoned, up-the creek! Third: Assuming you have not changed your camera since that date, then you still have to do the following (better instructions this time): A. Having downloaded the 3.7 Update onto your desktop ( incidentally this procedure applies to all later updates too!) , Open up Photoshop CS2, and from the Help menu select Updates and follow instructions to Auto-install. DO NOT MANUALLY DRAG THE 8BI FILE INTO THE FILE FORMATS FOLDER. Do not ask me how I know this. B. Close Photoshop CS2/3/4 (applicable to later versions) Open Bridge, then go to TOOLS and select "Purge Cache". C. Select the folder that has your RAW files in it and behold all the preview thumbnail generic icons will have changed into individual images. If you still have problems contact Adobe Help. I hope this last communique has been more helpful |
Posted on 11/11/08 11:52:02 PM |
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Steve Mac
Grunge Genie Posts: 539 Reply |
Re: Camera Raw
Thanks Michael, Thank you for taking the time to explain this. That makes sense. I will give it a try. Thanks again. |
Posted on 12/11/08 02:46:43 AM |
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Steve Mac
Grunge Genie Posts: 539 Reply |
Re: Camera Raw
Michael, I'm not doubting you, but I want to know the difference. Does this screen have anything to do with installing the Camera Raw plug-in?  |
Posted on 12/11/08 03:04:45 AM |
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Steve Mac
Grunge Genie Posts: 539 Reply |
Re: Camera Raw
I just went on the Adobe site. There is a new update for CR but it is only compatible with CS4 which has my camera listed, so it looks like I will be upgrading sooner than later. Thanks for all your help everyone. Hopefully I will have luck with CS4... I may be back. Steve |
Posted on 12/11/08 2:52:06 PM |
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michael sinclair
Off-Topic Opportunist Posts: 1871 Reply |
Re: Camera Raw
None whatsoever! |