To open raw files in Photoshop CS6, follow these steps, which will force Photoshop to use Adobe Camera Raw:
- Open Photoshop CS6.
- Go to File > Open. This will open the standard Open dialog box.
- Locate the raw file (e.g., CR2, NEF, ARW, DNG) on your computer.
- Important: Even if the file type is displayed, select it from the "Format" dropdown menu. At the bottom of the Open dialog box, look for a dropdown menu labeled "Format". Choose "Camera Raw" from this menu. This is key to forcing Photoshop to use the Camera Raw plugin.
- Click Open. This will launch Adobe Camera Raw, where you can edit the file.
Explanation:
Photoshop uses the Camera Raw plugin (Adobe Camera Raw, or ACR) to handle raw files. Sometimes, Photoshop might not automatically recognize a raw file format or might try to open it in a different way. By explicitly selecting "Camera Raw" as the format, you're telling Photoshop to use the appropriate plugin for processing the raw data. Once you've edited the image in Camera Raw, you can then open it in Photoshop for further adjustments and editing.
Alternative Method (If the above doesn't work):
If the Camera Raw dialog still doesn't appear, ensure that your Camera Raw plugin is up-to-date and compatible with your camera model. You can download the latest version from Adobe's website. Also, make sure your raw files are supported by the version of Camera Raw that is installed. Older versions of Camera Raw might not support newer camera models.
