Do any of Magix's photo programs deal with RAW? Unsure about which photo program to reference.

SyncroScales wrote on 5/29/2011, 4:05 PM

I'm new to photography and photo editing. I currently am using a Generic camera, and the software that came with it. It is three old Ulead programs. The camera has been great. The old programs have been great, and taught me a lot.

Currently I am finishing up with the programs and trying to switch since sometimes there are glitches and problems. My camera is also being very glitchy and it will die very soon. So I need to get a new camera within a few weeks.

I'm planning to get a point and shoot since I need one. I am concidering a DSLR. Some of these cameras have RAW with them. I want to get into RAW and not just do jpg. I don't like working with lossy jpg. My current camera does tif and jpg. I shoot with tif.

Do any of Magix's programs handle RAW files? Do any handle certain types better than others? Or certain cameras better than others?

I have read about RAW and understand it is just stored information. If I want jpg's or tif's, etc I need to export the RAW data into photo files. But I also read there are a number of RAW types, and two most notably. The newer one that has been adapted apparently is taken much easier in photo programs.

If anyone has any recommendations on camera programs or cameras themselves, I would appriciate the help. Also, if you want specific cameras I have looked at, please ask because them range in price from $100 - under $2000.

Also, if a moderator wants to move this into the appropriate forum, please do so. I don't know where to put this.

Thank you.

Comments

john-auvil wrote on 5/30/2011, 10:00 AM

I do not know a great deal about RAW I am afraid. I would recommend that you download the trial of Photo & Graphic Designer 6.

http://www.magix.com/us/ca/xara-photo-graphic-designer/versionen/photo-graphic-designer-6-download-version/detail/popups/raw-support/

The link above shows what cameras RAW is supported.

SyncroScales wrote on 5/30/2011, 5:37 PM

Perfect. I did not know this existed. Pages like this are what I needed.

Thanks John.

chrisjw37 wrote on 11/26/2011, 6:18 AM

RAW files are huge!

They are the 'raw' data files from digital cameras and are used to get extra editing possibilities from the photos in file - programs like Photoshop will edit them, as such they are high-end photo files.

As such, common graphic programs can't and won't often handle them - they are not really designed for end user output or display and trying to put them into anything like a slideshow is not going to work - plus the file would be mega sized.

Solution: Edit the RAW files to get the perfect picture and export them into a more common format.

My favourite no-lossy format is *.png - which preserves the quality of the photo.

However most slideshow programs prefer *.jpg - which is a lossy format - ie you loose some of the detail, but the files are smaller. I suspect that why other users here have complained about the quality of Photostory slideshows when seen on a big TV screen!

PNG - Portable Network Graphics, standardized compression
JPG - Joint Photographic Experts Group, compressed format

So to summarize:

Convert your RAW files in common photo files and use them in your projects.

You will still have your RAW files to play with later.

SyncroScales wrote on 11/27/2011, 5:28 PM

I had done a lot of research and reading before and after I posted this, it's old now. Now I understand the difference between RAW and the other formats.

Currently I am using Corel's PaintShop Photo Pro X3 Ultimate. It supports RAW, and they released a service pack to do more newer RAW camera formats. I think Magix needs to be able to compete with the other retail versions of photo editing products.

RAW is becomming quite common and even in point and shoots now. Eg: FujifilmFinepix F550EXR Digital Camera (This is an older model now.). There are others. If anyone is interested READ the reviews and see if it's worth it to you. A DSLR or Interchangable Lens camera might be a lot better. I have a point and shoot with just jpeg, but I will get a DSLR or ICL camera later when I have money and get better at shooting and editing.

Right now: RAW is a bit much for me and I actually do not need it. I don't have as much time for more steps in my workflow. But later, when/if I need it, I will.

I have read about PNG and discovered some things. It has a transparency layer (when saved correctly and the software supports it) and some other benefits. But I save in TIF. It's huge, but that's my thing. If I need other formats or formats that are specific to what I do, I'll save in them like PNG, etc.

Thanks CjW for the reply.