Workflow issues

flatfoot471 · Post by **flatfoot471** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:02 am

Hi
I am looking for some assistance with PSP.
I have a Fuji S7000 and shoot all my images in RAW.
When I open the images in the Fujifinepix the image size is 4048x3040 pixels and a file size of 12.75Mb.

Without editing, if I open the same image as a RAW file in PSP X1, I see that the image is shown as 2888x2175 pixxels with a file size 12.8Mb.

Wht is there a difference betweeen Fuji Finepix and PSP X1 for the same image.

Should I be opening the Fuji RAW file in PSP X1 for editing?
Should I do anything to the RAW file before I open it in PSP?

I ahve noticed that if I use the Fuji software and convert the image to a TIFF, when I open the Tiff in PSP, the sizes of the images are then the same.

Can anybody offer some help in what my workflow should be.

MTIA

michaeltee · Post by **michaeltee** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 6:53 pm

My knowledge of the RAW format is very limited but one possibility might be...

"RAW graphics images are basic raster data format images with no compression, and may include an optional non-standard header which is not supported by Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo. These graphics images are used primarily by game developers and by the scientific community. Game developers use RAW graphics images for custom image texturing, bumpmapping, and shading. The scientific community uses these images for custom application-based image analysis."

pdxrjt · Post by **pdxrjt** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 2:17 pm

Well, I am certainly no expert, but have been struggling with similar issues. PSP does not support my camera's RAW files. So, in doing explorations, I found a program that does a much nicer job than the included version with the camera..... why is that you ask? Well, as RAW is NOT a picture, it is plain data, there may be several ways to convert it. That is more than a workflow issue, it becomes an "artistic" choice... kind of like what kind of sound system do you use...one in your car, an iPod or $10,000 home unit.

Sooooooo, this may be painful for others to do (as a workflow issue), but... I open my RAW files in another program and do things (that RAW is good for) in it. Then I queue it up and transfer it as a TIFF for further processing in PSP (which does some things that the other program does not do, or makes it easier to do them.) The reason I use TIFF is because it is a non-lossy file. If you open and re save jpegs, you lose photo quality.

There are different types of data and slightly different types of RAW processing depending on you RAW file converter, which may explain the difference in file size.

michaeltee · Post by **michaeltee** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:52 pm

Sooooooo, this may be painful for others to do (as a workflow issue), but... I open my RAW files in another program and do things (that RAW is good for) in it.

Yes, painful or not I absolutely agree. In general, utilizing each and every capability of a given application doesn't necessarily equate to maximum workflow efficiency and/or achievement of the highest quality output. That said, in flatfoot471's case I'm guessing the Finepix application is reporting true RAW date (unfiltered) whereas PSP (by design) is simply ignoring unsupported header data that isn't applicable for most users. If I'm correct (and assuming of course that flatfoot471 is satisfied with PSP's read) I see no reason for concern and wouldn't hesitate to take Finefix out of the workflow loop. Still, I'd be remiss if I didn't emphasize that my theory is pure speculation based on what little info Corel has provided on the subject. I'm sure we'd all benefit from a definitive response