RAW files

[Tom Fuldner]

What exactly is a RAW file, and what advantages, if any, does this format have over TIFF? I use both SF6 ai (Nikon LS4000) and SF6 HDR and normally save scanned images in 48-bit HDR Color.

Thanks,

Tom Fuldner
Raleigh, NC

[ilyons]

Don't confuse the Photoshop RAW format with Raw image. Tiff is a file format just lile PSD, JPG, etc. Raw as we normally use it is a conidtion used to describe an image.


So far as scanning and digicams go Raw is a term used to describe an image that has undergone NO processing - straight from the scanner or digital camera. I have an example at he following page:

http://www.rgbnet.co.uk/ilyons/16bit/16bit_1.htm


No processing means that it will tend to be dark and uggly. Usually the first adjustment that the scanning software applies after the image is imported into the preview window is to apply a gamma curve - in very simplistic terms this will brighten the image to a point whcih is more acceptable. After that you can apply whatever colour/tone corrections you choose.



Ian