Unfortunately, the Camera Raw filter is not directly added to the "Filter" menu in Photoshop CS6 in the traditional sense. However, you can still use Camera Raw to edit your images. Here's how:
Method: Opening Images As Camera Raw
This is the standard way to utilize Camera Raw in Photoshop CS6.
- Open the Image: In Photoshop CS6, go to File > Open As....
- Select Camera Raw: In the "Open As" dialog box, choose "Camera Raw" from the dropdown menu.
- Choose Your File: Select the image file (RAW, JPEG, TIFF, etc.) you wish to edit and click Open.
When you open an image using the "Open As" > "Camera Raw" method, the Camera Raw editor will automatically launch. You can then make your adjustments. Once you click "OK" or "Open", the edited image will be opened in Photoshop as a regular layer.
Important Considerations:
- File Types: Camera Raw can handle RAW files (like .CR2, .NEF, etc.) directly, allowing for non-destructive editing. It also works with JPEG, TIFF, and other image formats. However, editing non-RAW files this way is still destructive, meaning the original image data is altered.
- Non-Destructive Editing: When working with RAW files, Camera Raw edits are saved as metadata (sidecar files or embedded within the RAW file itself), preserving the original image. Opening other file types (.jpeg, .tiff) applies the changes directly to the file.
Why it's not a traditional filter:
The Camera Raw tool is more of a preprocessing step rather than a typical filter applied to an existing Photoshop layer. It's designed for making initial adjustments to image files before bringing them into Photoshop for further editing and compositing.
