The first thing we did was click the Auto button. We started by opening the same Raw file in both programs. We tested the difference between Camera Raw and Lightroom head-to-head to see if either produced better results. Comparison of menu panels of Lightroom Classic (left), Lightroom CC (centre), and Adobe Camera Raw (right) Image Editing Results The 2021 version of ACR feels a bit more like Lightroom CC than Lightroom Classic. The icons and location of the local adjustments are like those found in Lightroom CC. You can make local adjustments using Radial and Graduated filters as well as an adjustment Brush. In both Lightroom and Camera Raw, you can crop, heal spots, and clone. But the Effects and Calibration panels are more like Classic. The Optics and Geometry panel are the same as those found in Lightroom CC. Camera Raw uses the term ‘Color Mixer’ like Lightroom CC rather than the HSL panel of Classic. The expanded Curve / Tone Curve panel also looks similar. The Basic panel includes the same controls as Lightroom Classic. Most tools are organised into panels like Lightroom Classic, but Camera Raw uses a few tool labels updated in CC. The 2021 version of ACR (13.3.0.807) is a hybrid of Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic. Open a panel to reveal sliders that control individual adjustments. Image adjustments are grouped into panels. The workspace in Adobe Camera Raw looks like the Develop Module in Lightroom. Let’s take a deep look, comparing Lightroom vs Camera Raw.

Even today, the user interfaces of the two programs have a lot in common. They based the Develop module on Adobe Camera Raw. But there are some differences between ACR and Lightroom. Camera Raw developed into what photographers now recognise as the Develop module in Lightroom. You can change settings like white balance, contrast, saturation, and sharpness. These allow you to make adjustments that Raw files need to look good.

Adobe Camera Raw decodes these files into a format that Photoshop can read.įrom the start, Adobe Camera Raw has included image editing tools. There are dozens of different types of Raw files. Raw files are unique to each camera manufacturer. This means they start out looking dull in comparison to their edited JPEG cousins. Essentially, your camera post-processes JPEGS and removes the unused information. Your camera applies settings like white balance and colour saturation to the image. The files contain all the information collected by a digital camera.

Raw images are uncompressed digital image files. It needs another program to decode the files. Photoshop cannot directly open Raw files. But if you use Adobe products to edit your images, this program has been working away in the background.Īdobe developed Camera Raw in 2003 as a Raw image converter for Photoshop. You may not have noticed the Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) program before.

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