Posted by Mike Duncan on November 8, 2007 at 8:05 PM
I realize this is a really dumb question, but I've borrowed a computer from someone do some work in Photoshop and can't open any RAW (.nef). When I try to open the file, it says "Could not complete your request because it is not the right kind of document". This is my first time using Photoshop and could use some help figuring this one out.
You first need to convert you raw photo with the software that came bundled with your camera. With Canon you can convert to Tiff or Jpeg...and then go to Photoshop from there.
There are other programs out there that open Raw, but you probably already have it with your camera.
Posted by Mark Kraus on November 8, 2007 at 9:15 PM
Photoshop itself can't open raw files. You must have the Adobe raw converter installed with Photoshop. And depending what camera you have the Raw converter may have to be updated to open that file. You didn't say what version of Photoshop you are using. If it is too old a version it may not work at all.
I suggest that when you convert your RAW files, convert them to Tiff file format. Jpeg is a "lossy" file format, i.e. every time the file is saved, some data is lost. Tiff files, in contrast, do not lose information when saved after editing.
I also suggest that after conversion to Tiff you open the file in PhotoShop, convert the color profile to Adobe RGB and then save the file as a PSD file type. Use this file for editing as your 'Master File', and leave your Tff file untouched.
-PB
Posted by RL Potts on November 8, 2007 at 10:16 PM
You might be able to get a free plug-in from Adobe just for asking, but if this is someone else's property it would probably be better for the registered owner to make the request. Every time Nikon introduces a new camera, Adobe has to do updates to make everything compatible.
Posted by Jan Elias on November 9, 2007 at 2:11 AM
If you are using Photoshop CS2 or later the program Adobe Camera Raw is included. It was designed for working with Raw files. Unfortunately, it is not compatible with all camera types by default, but has to be updated once in a while for compatibility. If you are using CS2 be sure to download a version that is still compatible, as newer versions work only with CS3 (and, therefore, new cameras should work with Raw CS3 only in their native format). I use Nef-files in Camera Raw without having to convert them to DNG .
Another option is to install NikonView from Nikon. That software contains a Photoshop plug-in which will read .NEF files. Also, when opening the file it allows you to adjust the white balance and exposure before reading the data into Photoshop. The good news is that it is free and it works for all Nikon digital cameras.
What version of PS are you using. I use PS2. I download photo, raw + jpeg, which I always shoot in, go to PS, open up a raw photo, PS automatically opens the raw file in the raw processing ares for processing, when I have finished editing in the raw processing area I click on open at the bottom and the processed photo opens in the main PS software page. There I complete the editing process and save in whatever file I want to. Maybe I'm not understanding your question, but this is my raw processing workflow from my PS2. I have not had to install nothing but PS2.
Posted by Steve Foss on November 12, 2007 at 8:35 AM
Mike, when a specific version of Photoshop is released (CS, CS2, CS3) its raw plug-in will allow you to open RAW images from virtually all digital cameras already on the market. But new camera models are being released all the time, so Adobe periodically updates its RAW plug-in, which can be downloaded free from the Adobe Web site, where there are installation instructions.
However, when a new version of Photoshop is released, Adobe quits upgrading the RAW plug-in for the previous version, so Photoshop users who want to open their RAW images directly in Photoshop and who buy a camera released after the new version of Photoshop is released have to buy the new version on Photoshop.
In your case, it's likely the Photoshop version you're using (you don't say which one) needs to have the RAW plug-in updated, or it's also possible the Photoshop version in question is too old to accept an upgrade for your camera's files (you didn't identify the camera model, either). But Nikon, as mentioned, has its own software (should have come with the camera) to allow your NEF files to be opened and converted before use in Photoshop.
Discussion
8 repliesThanks,
Mike
There are other programs out there that open Raw, but you probably already have it with your camera.
I also suggest that after conversion to Tiff you open the file in PhotoShop, convert the color profile to Adobe RGB and then save the file as a PSD file type. Use this file for editing as your 'Master File', and leave your Tff file untouched.
-PB
However, when a new version of Photoshop is released, Adobe quits upgrading the RAW plug-in for the previous version, so Photoshop users who want to open their RAW images directly in Photoshop and who buy a camera released after the new version of Photoshop is released have to buy the new version on Photoshop.
In your case, it's likely the Photoshop version you're using (you don't say which one) needs to have the RAW plug-in updated, or it's also possible the Photoshop version in question is too old to accept an upgrade for your camera's files (you didn't identify the camera model, either). But Nikon, as mentioned, has its own software (should have come with the camera) to allow your NEF files to be opened and converted before use in Photoshop.