Is editing RAW files really non-destructive in PSE6?

[Digital1Image]

Hello all!

I'm new here, and had a question about editing RAW files in Elements 6.

I read in Brundage's "Photoshop Elements 6: The Missing Manual" book (p. 216) that: "One important point about RAW files: Elements never overwrites your original file. As a metter of fact, Elements can't in any way modify the original RAW file."

Is this accurate?

Either it's changed, or my original file got put somewhere and I haven't found it. I pulled up a RAW file in the Converter, and made a few change. Then I clicked the "DONE" button in the bottom right corner of the edit screen.

The hourglass came up, and the comp was saving the changes without asking me where, if, or what format I wanted the changes saved under!

When I went to the Organizer, there was the .CR2 file (Canon's format for RAW files) with the changes I had made. But there was no stack of images like there usually is with .jpeg files, and the original file was gone.

I repeated the same process with a different .CR2 file, and the same thing happened. It's interesting to note that when I try to quick edit a RAW file, I get a dialog box asking me what format I want the changes saved under before it will let me make any changes.

Anyone have any insights?

Thanks!

"D"

[kImages]

Yes, a RAW file is not changed. The RAW file processor that the Editor calls, Adobe Camera Raw (ACR), makes a sidecar file that contains your changes. The sidecar file (.xmp) will be saved on your hard drive in the same folder as the .CR2 file. The .xmp file is not editable in PSE and will not show in the Organizer.

Your .CR2 file will automatically have the .xmp setting applied anytime the RAW file is subsequently opened in PSE. If at any point you decide to share your RAW file and you want the recipient to see your ACR changes you need to send them both the .CR2 and the .xmp.

I can't address the stacking issue as I don't use Organizer to manage my photos. Nor can I address Quick Edit because I've never been able to do anything quick! :p However there are a lot of RAW fans here on the forum and its likely someone will be along with some insightful response.

[Digital1Image]

Very helpful response, Kim! Thanks!

I went looking for the files you mentioned in the folder, and sure enough! There they were! My original .CR2 file was there, and so was the little 8KB .XMP file.

Now this is interesting... If I'm understanding you correctly, every time I open the thumbnail for this image that appears in the Organizer, it will display with the changes I made that are stored in this little sidecar file.

So what do I need to do if I want to discard these changes? Will deleting the .XMP file do it? (seems reasonable...) This seems very awkward, and not very intuitive at all, doesn't it? To make changes, I need to kick out of PSE6, and go poking around in folders in Explorer.

And how about dabbling with more changes to the same file? Version 1, version 2, version 3, etc. Will more .XMP files be created? Which one will load when I click the thumbnail? Will I get 2 or more thumbnails now? (hee..you don't have to answer all these questions. I can go experiment and find out for myself. I'm just thinking out loud...)

This really seems awkward and time consuming! One more strike against working with RAW files. I suppose there is a simple workflow fix like copying the original image before editing, or something.

I will wait to see if anyone else chimes in with suggestions.

Thanks for the help, Kim!

"D"

[Codebreaker]

D....

A couple of points of interest for you.

Processing of RAW files is certainly non-destructive of the original. The processing changes can be stored in one of two places. In ACR you can set it to either save the changes in an XMP sidecar file or just have them stored in the Elements RAW database. (Open ACR and press Ctrl+K).

The advantage of creating XMP files is that you can then share the processed image with another application - say Lightroom or full Photoshop or even another user of Elements - by giving them the RAW + XMP file.

Elements is a little lacking in the respect you mention in that to reset a processed image back to the original is not immediately obvious. While actually performing the processing you can reset by just holding down the ALT key and then you'll notice the Cancel button becomes Reset.

However, if you come back later after closing the image this will not reset the image back to the original state. To do this ýou need to click on the right most tab just under the Histrogram on the same level as Basic/Detail. Then choose Camera Raw Defaults.

If you are seriously intent on RAW images why not take a look at Lightroom which is better suited for this purpose.

Colin

[Digital1Image]

Thanks, Colin! Another very helpful reply!

I just started looking into the RAW format, and I like the results so far. I may have to make a move to Lightroom soon.

"D"