While Adobe no longer officially supports Camera Raw updates for Photoshop CS6, you can still install a compatible version, but the latest Camera Raw features will not be available. Here's how:
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Identify your Current Camera Raw Version: Open Photoshop CS6, go to Help > About Plug-In > Camera Raw. Note the version number.
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Download a Compatible Camera Raw Installer: The last compatible version of Camera Raw for Photoshop CS6 is Camera Raw 9.1.1. Search online for "Camera Raw 9.1.1 download" from a reputable source (Adobe is unlikely to host it). Be cautious when downloading from third-party sites and scan the downloaded file for viruses.
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Close Photoshop CS6: Ensure Photoshop CS6 is completely closed before proceeding.
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Run the Installer: Double-click the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen instructions. The installer should automatically detect your Photoshop CS6 installation and install the Camera Raw plug-in in the correct location. If the installer doesn't detect your Photoshop CS6 installation automatically, you may have to manually point it to the Photoshop CS6 plug-ins folder, which is typically located at:
- Windows:
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS6\Plug-ins
- macOS:
/Applications/Adobe Photoshop CS6/Plug-ins
- Windows:
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Restart Photoshop CS6: After the installation is complete, restart Photoshop CS6.
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Verify the Installation: Open Photoshop CS6, go to Help > About Plug-In > Camera Raw. The version number should now be 9.1.1.
Important Considerations:
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Newer Cameras May Not Be Supported: Camera Raw 9.1.1 doesn't support newer cameras released after its release. If you are using a recent camera model, the RAW files may not open or may not be processed correctly. You would need to convert the RAW files to DNG format using Adobe's DNG Converter, which can support newer cameras. Then, open the DNG files in Photoshop CS6 with Camera Raw 9.1.1.
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Limited Feature Set: You won't have access to the latest Camera Raw features and lens profiles available in newer versions of Photoshop and Camera Raw.
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Unofficial Sources: Downloading the Camera Raw installer from unofficial sources carries a risk of malware. Exercise caution.
While installing Camera Raw 9.1.1 allows you to work with RAW files in CS6, remember that it has limitations, particularly regarding support for newer camera models and the lack of the newest features available in later versions of the Camera Raw plugin.