How to open any Camera Raw image files when using discontinued versions of Abobe Photoshop, by Trevor Clowes.

In this workshop Trevor will explain how to Download and use the Adobe Digital Negative Converter.

Please note: It would be beneficial to read the complete workshop before you attempt to follow the procedure. If you would like a print out to read, please follow the links at the end of this workshop.

1. 0 Introduction.
1.1 Camera Raw image files from different brands of camera manufacturers are incompatible and files from more recent camera models from the same brand of camera may be incompatible with those from previous camera models.
1.2 Adobe provides regular updates to the Photoshop Camera Raw Plug-in to comply with the most recent camera models issued. These up-dates, however, are only compatible with the most recent version of Adobe Photoshop Creative Suite. (CS4 as at September 09)
1.3 When older versions of Photoshop are used, attempts to open unsupported Camera Raw files results in a message “X Could not complete your request, because it is not the right kind of document – OK” (CS2).
1.4 To address this problem Adobe have developed a standard Camera Raw image file format called a Digital Negative with a .dng file extension. This format is supported with conversion software for free download of the program Adobe Digital Negative Converter, which will convert any Camera Raw file, from any manufacturer’s present or, with assured converter update support, future camera models, to a Digital Negative.
1.5 The software operates as a batch process addressing any folder containing Camera Raw image files.
1.6 Any version of Photoshop will open a Digital Negative image file.
1.7 Adobe pledges to support the Digital Negative for long term archive use.

2. 0 How to obtain The Adobe Digital Negative Converter.
2.1 Visit the adobe web site www.adobe.com and you should see something similar to below. (As at September 09, but subject to site up-dates.)
2.2 Click on “Downloads” as shown below and from the drop down menu list select ‘more’ at the bottom.

2.3 From the next screen below, select DNG Converter 5.5 up-date (or whatever the latest version is) from the right-hand list.

2.4 Now select “Proceed to Download” below.

2.5 Leading to “Download Now” below.