Cant open RAW files in CS4

MikesChevelle · 02-03-2010, 04:08 PM

For some reason I cannot open RAW files in CS4. I am using Picasa as a cataloger/importer, but I do not think that it is doing anything to my files.

Photo Tramp · 02-03-2010, 04:40 PM

In your CS4 program what is your Camera Raw version? And what camera are you using? There is a new Camera RAW download for the cameras that have come out within the past year. If you don't have the newest camera RAW file I would suggest going to the ADOBE web site and download the newest camera RAW file and follow the instructions to the letter of how to place it into CS4.
Now this said I'll ask this Question. do any of your photos show up in the bridge. If they do and you want to open a photo from bridge you need to go up to file and open the photo in camera RAW. This bridge is totally different from CS2 and 3 where all you had to do is click on the photo in bridge and click open and it opened into Photoshop.

JeffJS · 02-03-2010, 08:17 PM

Originally posted by MikesChevelle

For some reason I cannot open RAW files in CS4. I am using Picasa as a cataloger/importer, but I do not think that it is doing anything to my files.

Why are you screwing around with Picasa when you have CS4? CS4 should be working with up to the K7/Kx right out of the gate. What happens when you open a RAW file straight from the camera without the 'help' of Picasa?

I don't know why it would matter what you use to catalog your files btw..

mysticcowboy · 02-03-2010, 10:57 PM

Since you have CS4 you also have Adobe Bridge. Try opening that, browsing to your photos and opening them. If that works then the problem is Picasa.

michael mckee
My Port Townsend – A City in Photographs – 365

MikesChevelle · 02-03-2010, 11:00 PM

Well I was given CS4 and have since learned it may have been acquired via torrent. Goes with out saying I guess Im SOL

MikesChevelle · 02-03-2010, 11:02 PM

I will just stick with using GIMP. I use Picasa to view my pic in mass upload to decide which toi keep and what not, instaed of having to manually open each pic in Gimp.

GoremanX · 02-04-2010, 01:37 AM

Originally posted by MikesChevelle

I will just stick with using GIMP. I use Picasa to view my pic in mass upload to decide which toi keep and what not, instaed of having to manually open each pic in Gimp.

Good choice! The latest version of Gimp (2.6.8) with UFraw (0.16) fully support the newest Pentax formats without issues. Personally, I prefer UFraw for processing RAW files. The tools it provides allow me to get better results than with Adobe Camera RAW. But other people who are more used to ACR will say the opposite

tokyoso · 02-04-2010, 05:40 AM

does UFraw 0.16 render K-x PEF files correctly without color shifts?

I used 0.13 but it opens K-x PEF files with colors shifted.

MikesChevelle · 02-04-2010, 09:25 AM

I only picked up CS4 thinking I was missing something with Gimp, Im guessing not since I do not know what Im doing anyway LOL

Parallax · 02-04-2010, 11:53 AM

Are you just double clicking the file, or trying to open it from within Photoshop?
If when you installed Picasa the RAW filetype association may have been set for Picasa. Try opening Photoshop then use the File>Open method or drag-and-drop.

GoremanX · 02-04-2010, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by tokyoso

does UFraw 0.16 render K-x PEF files correctly without color shifts?

I used 0.13 but it opens K-x PEF files with colors shifted.

I don't know about the K-x, but UFraw 0.13 is SUPER OLD! It's way older than the K-x itself, so it's no wonder it messed up the colours. UFraw 0.15 did not support my K-7's PEF files, but 0.16 does. Again, I'm not sure about K-x PEF files, but the K-x is explicitly mentioned in the documentation. Also, what difference does it really make? DNG files are fully supported, so why not just use that instead?

GoremanX · 02-04-2010, 02:15 PM

Originally posted by MikesChevelle

I only picked up CS4 thinking I was missing something with Gimp, Im guessing not since I do not know what Im doing anyway LOL

Instead of wasting your money on other applications, or using super-advanced applications with a bunch of features you'll never need, why not just buy a good book on Gimp and learn that really well?

I'm an old Photoshop pro, I've been pushing it to its limits for over a decade, but I still found a lot of great information in Akkana Peck's book "Beginning Gimp". I think that's a much better investment than buying something like Photoshop Elements, which is far too restrictive.

reeftool · 02-05-2010, 01:26 PM

I use Elements and Picasa.I always upload my pictures with the Elements organizer so anything I want to edit with Elements is right there for me. Picasa will pick them up automaticly. I think CS4 works very similar. Picasa and Adobe don't always play well together. Delete a photo in Picasa that you loaded with Adobe and organizer will spend forever looking for it.

MikesChevelle · 02-05-2010, 03:24 PM

Thanks for the advice

GerryL · 02-05-2010, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by MikesChevelle

For some reason I cannot open RAW files in CS4. I am using Picasa as a cataloger/importer, but I do not think that it is doing anything to my files.

You should be able to do it all on CS4 which you would also have the Adobe bridge.
I was on the same boat with CS3 but after a bit of googling, I was able to make it see the RAW thumbnails and open the RAW files.
One of the easiest way to do this is open CS4 > go to "help" which is on the upper right or the last selection starting from "menu" > then click that for the dropdown menu and click "updates..".
Once you click on updates, it would automatically update and should install all the available plug-ins so you can view RAW files.
Hope this helps!

02-03-2010, 04:08 PM	#1
MikesChevelle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: STL Photos: Gallery Posts: 119	Cant open RAW files in CS4 For some reason I cannot open RAW files in CS4. I am using Picasa as a cataloger/importer, but I do not think that it is doing anything to my files.

02-03-2010, 10:57 PM	#4
mysticcowboy Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: port townsend, wa Photos: Albums Posts: 968	Try Bridge Since you have CS4 you also have Adobe Bridge. Try opening that, browsing to your photos and opening them. If that works then the problem is Picasa. michael mckee My Port Townsend – A City in Photographs – 365

02-04-2010, 05:40 AM	#8
tokyoso Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 723	does UFraw 0.16 render K-x PEF files correctly without color shifts? I used 0.13 but it opens K-x PEF files with colors shifted. Last edited by tokyoso; 02-04-2010 at 07:18 AM.

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02-03-2010, 04:40 PM	#2
Photo Tramp Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lancaster, PA. Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,041	In your CS4 program what is your Camera Raw version? And what camera are you using? There is a new Camera RAW download for the cameras that have come out within the past year. If you don't have the newest camera RAW file I would suggest going to the ADOBE web site and download the newest camera RAW file and follow the instructions to the letter of how to place it into CS4. Now this said I'll ask this Question. do any of your photos show up in the bridge. If they do and you want to open a photo from bridge you need to go up to file and open the photo in camera RAW. This bridge is totally different from CS2 and 3 where all you had to do is click on the photo in bridge and click open and it opened into Photoshop.

02-03-2010, 08:17 PM	#3
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by MikesChevelle For some reason I cannot open RAW files in CS4. I am using Picasa as a cataloger/importer, but I do not think that it is doing anything to my files. Why are you screwing around with Picasa when you have CS4? CS4 should be working with up to the K7/Kx right out of the gate. What happens when you open a RAW file straight from the camera without the 'help' of Picasa? I don't know why it would matter what you use to catalog your files btw..

02-03-2010, 11:00 PM	#5
MikesChevelle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: STL Photos: Gallery Posts: 119 Original Poster	Well I was given CS4 and have since learned it may have been acquired via torrent. Goes with out saying I guess Im SOL

02-03-2010, 11:02 PM	#6
MikesChevelle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: STL Photos: Gallery Posts: 119 Original Poster	I will just stick with using GIMP. I use Picasa to view my pic in mass upload to decide which toi keep and what not, instaed of having to manually open each pic in Gimp.

02-04-2010, 01:37 AM	#7
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by MikesChevelle I will just stick with using GIMP. I use Picasa to view my pic in mass upload to decide which toi keep and what not, instaed of having to manually open each pic in Gimp. Good choice! The latest version of Gimp (2.6.8) with UFraw (0.16) fully support the newest Pentax formats without issues. Personally, I prefer UFraw for processing RAW files. The tools it provides allow me to get better results than with Adobe Camera RAW. But other people who are more used to ACR will say the opposite

02-04-2010, 09:25 AM	#9
MikesChevelle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: STL Photos: Gallery Posts: 119 Original Poster	I only picked up CS4 thinking I was missing something with Gimp, Im guessing not since I do not know what Im doing anyway LOL

02-04-2010, 11:53 AM	#10
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Are you just double clicking the file, or trying to open it from within Photoshop? If when you installed Picasa the RAW filetype association may have been set for Picasa. Try opening Photoshop then use the File>Open method or drag-and-drop.

02-04-2010, 02:12 PM	#11
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by tokyoso does UFraw 0.16 render K-x PEF files correctly without color shifts? I used 0.13 but it opens K-x PEF files with colors shifted. I don't know about the K-x, but UFraw 0.13 is SUPER OLD! It's way older than the K-x itself, so it's no wonder it messed up the colours. UFraw 0.15 did not support my K-7's PEF files, but 0.16 does. Again, I'm not sure about K-x PEF files, but the K-x is explicitly mentioned in the documentation. Also, what difference does it really make? DNG files are fully supported, so why not just use that instead?

02-04-2010, 02:15 PM	#12
GoremanX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Georgia, VT Photos: Albums Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by MikesChevelle I only picked up CS4 thinking I was missing something with Gimp, Im guessing not since I do not know what Im doing anyway LOL Instead of wasting your money on other applications, or using super-advanced applications with a bunch of features you'll never need, why not just buy a good book on Gimp and learn that really well? I'm an old Photoshop pro, I've been pushing it to its limits for over a decade, but I still found a lot of great information in Akkana Peck's book "Beginning Gimp". I think that's a much better investment than buying something like Photoshop Elements, which is far too restrictive.

02-05-2010, 01:26 PM	#13
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	I use Elements and Picasa.I always upload my pictures with the Elements organizer so anything I want to edit with Elements is right there for me. Picasa will pick them up automaticly. I think CS4 works very similar. Picasa and Adobe don't always play well together. Delete a photo in Picasa that you loaded with Adobe and organizer will spend forever looking for it.

02-05-2010, 03:24 PM	#14
MikesChevelle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: STL Photos: Gallery Posts: 119 Original Poster	Thanks for the advice

02-05-2010, 05:05 PM	#15
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by MikesChevelle For some reason I cannot open RAW files in CS4. I am using Picasa as a cataloger/importer, but I do not think that it is doing anything to my files. You should be able to do it all on CS4 which you would also have the Adobe bridge. I was on the same boat with CS3 but after a bit of googling, I was able to make it see the RAW thumbnails and open the RAW files. One of the easiest way to do this is open CS4 > go to "help" which is on the upper right or the last selection starting from "menu" > then click that for the dropdown menu and click "updates..". Once you click on updates, it would automatically update and should install all the available plug-ins so you can view RAW files. Hope this helps!