Hello,
I am trying to learn to use LR4 and have the latest Camera Raw 7 for LR4. I am still on CS5 with Photoshop and that involves Camera Raw 6.7.
Can someone explain:
1. When I use develop module in LR4 for a NEF photo, then just when is Camera Raw 7 invoked? I see the sliders for develop but have not used Develop module much so is Camera Raw 7 inside all of the sliders to the right side in the develop menu?
2. When I choose edit in - Photoshop, and then the Lightroom software tells me that I will need Camera Raw 7(which is not allowed with CS5) and so do I want to render with LR4 or open anyway, what is involved with these two choices? Is "render with LR4" using Camera Raw 7? And is "open anyway" opening in CS5 with Camera Raw 6.7 ?
My head is spinning from all the updates, camera raw options and workflow that is involved here.
Thanks,
Debra

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Debra

Strictly speaking, Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) is the raw conversion module of Photoshop and Elements. Lightroom has the same raw processing functionality, albeit with a different user interface, and of course, the cataloging functions. So, if you keep within LR, ACR will not be invoked. ACR is invoked when you bring the photo from LR to PS and let the ACR or PS do the raw-to-pixel rendering. If you do so, you won’t typically notice ACR in action because ACR inherits the adjustment settings from LR, and ACR applies the same adjustments as LR did. Now, this obviously requires that your LR and PS/ACR are of the same generation (LR3.x - CS5/ACR6.x or LR4.x - CS6/ACR7.x). If they are of different generations, as they are in your case (and mine), there are two options: let LR do the rendering, in which case LR performs the raw-to-pixel rendering. Or, you can choose “open anyway”, which (methinks) LR tries to convert the current version’s (process 2012) adjustments to the previous version’s (process 2010) adjustments and allow CS5/ACR6.x do its thing.

Unless you need the added features of CS6, you don’t suffer severely from using LR4 and CS5/ACR6. Obviously, you cannot open the raw photo in CS5 as a smart object if it was processed by process 2012 in LR.

Regards, Antero

Antero -

I haven't followed all the ins/outs during this transition period, but ACR6.7 will recognize and accommodate LR4 (PV2012) files with 'Open as smart object...', but will not allow editing of the raw file as it only supports the PV2010 user interface.

Paul
My Nikonians Gallery

That's correct. If you do this, you retain the option for updating the raw conversion parameters within the smart object if you ever upgrade to CS6 in the future.

Rick Walker

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GeoVista Photography

Download from our library of Image Doctor podcasts here

Thank you Antero, Paul and Rick; I will have to study LR and ACR and PS 5/6 more so I can understand this software.
Debra

Visit My Nikonian Gallery: http://www.nikonians-images.com/galleries/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=94067
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Mea culpa. I thought opening an LR4-adjusted image as a smart raw object in ACR6.7 couldn't work, so I didn't try it. On the other hand, the primary reason for opening an image as a smart raw object (vs. immediately rendering it to a pixel layer) is the ability to return to the raw conversion settings. And if that can't be done, the ability to open as a smart raw object doesn't seem too useful. Ok, you could work on an image, leaving the raw image as a smart object and be able to adjust the raw conversion when you have upgraded to CS6/ACR7.

Regards, Antero

>Mea culpa. I thought opening an LR4-adjusted image as a smart
>raw object in ACR6.7 couldn't work, so I didn't try it. On the
>other hand, the primary reason for opening an image as a smart
>raw object (vs. immediately rendering it to a pixel layer) is
>the ability to return to the raw conversion settings. And if
>that can't be done, the ability to open as a smart raw object
>doesn't seem too useful. Ok, you could work on an image,
>leaving the raw image as a smart object and be able to adjust
>the raw conversion when you have upgraded to CS6/ACR7.
>
>Regards, Antero


While you can't update the full set of raw parameters when operating in this hybrid fashion, you can still do quite a bit. Those items include white balance, clarity, saturation and vibrance, curves, sharpening and NR, all the color and tinting adjustments, lens corrections plus color profiles. When then combined with the thought that you're also leaving open the option for complete updating with CS6 down the road, it's a pretty reasonable option.

Rick Walker

My photos:
GeoVista Photography

Download from our library of Image Doctor podcasts here