Paint Shop Pro 8 and .raw files?

11/27/2006 09:19:54 PM · #1

I can not seem to view my .raw files using paint shop pro 8.

Could someone tell me why?

I got to file > file format > Associations in PSP8 and I have .raw checked.

I can view them in software that came with my camera, but not in PSP8.

boysetsfire

Canon EOS-5D

11/27/2006 09:37:51 PM · #2

I think you will find you have to convert it to a tiff file

11/27/2006 09:54:28 PM · #3

Originally posted by boysetsfire:

I think you will find you have to convert it to a tiff file

Yes, convert it to a TIFF file using the supplied camera software and then edit it in PSP.

Raw Shooter Essentials is a great converter, but I don't know if it handles Pentax files. Maybe another poster can clear that up.

//www.pixmantec.com/products/rawshooter_essentials.asp

11/27/2006 10:03:12 PM · #4

Yeah, if I right click on the raw icon for the photo and try to open it with psp8 I get a message that it does not support this type of .tiff file.

Now if that don't just suck, lol.. :)

If I am going to go with different software that I can work with .raw files is the newest paint shop pro a option or should I give Photoshop Elements 5.0 a try?

Why does psp8 give .raw as a option?

11/27/2006 10:21:46 PM · #5

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by boysetsfire:
I think you will find you have to convert it to a tiff file

Yes, convert it to a TIFF file using the supplied camera software and then edit it in PSP.

Raw Shooter Essentials is a great converter, but I don't know if it handles Pentax files. Maybe another poster can clear that up.

//www.pixmantec.com/products/rawshooter_essentials.asp

I seen the pentax *ist camera's in there list so it looks like it will work.

I am also downloading the free 30 day tril of Photoshop Elements 5.0 to see if it will just let me work with the pentax raw files without converting them first.

What happens when I use the above program to convert a pentax raw file?
I thought it was best to be able to work with the raw file to get it the way you wanted and then save it as a jpg and that is when it would get converted.

thanks for the replies..

11/27/2006 11:00:39 PM · #6

Originally posted by lakota:

I am also downloading the free 30 day tril of Photoshop Elements 5.0 to see if it will just let me work with the pentax raw files without converting them first.

What happens when I use the above program to convert a pentax raw file?

PSE 5 should allow you to convert from RAW. I think... never used it.

Any converter, even those in Photoshop, do about the same thing, whether it's built-in or stand-alone. They convert to another file format. In Photoshop's ACR, it basically converts to an Adobe PSD file that it opens automatically (if you choose) in Photoshop.

With a stand-alone Converter such as Raw Shooter or your camera's software, it's best to convert to a 16-bit TIFF file which you then bring into Photoshop or PSP. You are doing the same thing Photoshop's converter is doing, just in a more time consuming way.

Using Raw Shooter, I have converted whole batches of Photos directly to JPEG to be printed without any editting. And for that purpose, it's much more useful than Photoshop's ACR.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/27/2006 11:25:05 PM · #7

So you can not really work with a raw file at all until it is converted?

With a stand-alone Converter such as Raw Shooter or your camera's software, it's best to convert to a 16-bit TIFF file

Not sure I am really understanding the point of having the camera take photo's as raw files if the first thing you have to do is convert them to do any work with them.

When you convert it from a raw to a 16-bit TIFF file is nothing lost?

Would it not be the same to just have the camera be able to do TIFF files when storing the image in the first place?

Sorry If I am a little slow in understanding the raw files.

I also thought a raw file was a raw file, like a jpg file.
But It seems that there are different raw files depending on the camera. I see my pentax raw files are .pef files.

So much to learn....

thanks again..

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

11/27/2006 11:34:23 PM · #8

1 - So you can not really work with a raw file at all until it is converted?

You can adjust all sorts of things in the process of converting from RAW to whatever other format, but yes the RAW file is just raw image data

2 - Not sure I am really understanding the point of having the camera take photo's as raw files if the first thing you have to do is convert them to do any work with them.

It is the raw image data. It is not saturated, swung into one color space or another, sharpened, etc. It gives you the most freedom in deciding how that image should be processed. Nothing is decided for you in advance.

3 - When you convert it from a raw to a 16-bit TIFF file is nothing lost?

Short answer - no.

4 - Would it not be the same to just have the camera be able to do TIFF files when storing the image in the first place?

A TIFF is about a 45-50 meg file on my camera whereas the raw is 6-7 megs. Storing tiffs would mean much slower shooting speed (longer write times to disk) and much less # of shots per CF card.

Some people think shooting in raw offers no advantages that aren't outweighed by the extra time required to process the shots. Other people haven't shot in anything but raw with their camera ever (or ever moved it off manual mode for that matter). The point is getting good pictures, so whatever means get you to that end then go with it.

11/27/2006 11:43:32 PM · #9

It is the raw image data. It is not saturated, swung into one color space or another, sharpened, etc. It gives you the most freedom in deciding how that image should be processed. Nothing is decided for you in advance.

This really helped clear things up for me, thanks!

I should have known that from reading the book that come with my camera.
After reading your post I recall reading in the book that when shooting in raw that the camera setting such as sharpness, color, etc could not be adjusted as when shooting in the jpg mode.

Now it's all starting to make sense, thanks.

I was able to use the pentax software that I got with the camera to convert the raw file to a 16 bit TIFF. Then I was able to open it with PSP8.

Thanks!!

Message edited by author 2006-11-27 23:44:14.

11/27/2006 11:44:13 PM · #10

Let's see if I can answer some of these questions:

So you can not really work with a raw file at all until it is converted?
Well, yes, conversion is part of the RAW workflow. In the converter you can adjust White Balance, Exposure, Sharpness, Curves, and all sorts of whole image adjustments.

When you convert it from a raw to a 16-bit TIFF file is nothing lost?
Only what YOU choose to be lost, not what the camera chooses to be lost. Technically, the data from a 12-bit RAW file fits well into a 16-bit TIFF.

Would it not be the same to just have the camera be able to do TIFF files when storing the image in the first place?

One, TIFF files are HUGE! Two, RAW data is much more flexible in conversion than JPEG or TIFF.

I also thought a raw file was a raw file, like a jpg file.
But It seems that there are different raw files depending on the camera. I see my pentax raw files are .pef files.

For now, the formats are pretty much brand specific, although Adobe andI believe Microsoft are trying to get into the action. MY Canon Rebel files are CRW, a 20D is a CR2, Nikon files are NEF... Adobe does have the DNG also, but I don't see a lot of evidence of that catching on.

11/27/2006 11:48:59 PM · #11

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

I have a much better understanding of what is going on now with the raw files.

I have so much to learn. You guy's and this website have been so very helpful.

Great stuff,
Thanks....

Promaster 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR IF

11/27/2006 11:54:19 PM · #12

Hey, you are welcome any time. It's nice to help people learn.

Welcome to the insanity and keep on asking those questions.

atupdate

Pentax K-R

11/28/2006 12:27:10 PM · #13

Originally posted by lakota: