How to Open a Nikon D300 Raw Image in Photoshop CS

Raw files produced by the Nikon D300 act as a digital negative.

The raw-image format in digital cameras records the unprocessed data from the camera sensor. Unlike the JPEG format, raw files are not compressed and have more room for editing. Raw-file formats differ from camera to camera, with Nikon using NEF files. Adobe Photoshop CS is capable of accessing these raw files, but the software must be updated to accommodate new camera models. A plug-in is available from Adobe that is updated regularly to include these new models. Once it is installed, Photoshop CS will open the raw files.

Instructions

Mac OS

1. Download the Mac update from the Adobe website. (See Resources)

2. Double-click the file to open "Disk Copy," which will mount the image to your desktop.

3. Close Photoshop CS. The program must be closed for the update to complete.

4. Open the downloaded file and double-click "AdobePatchInstaller." Follow the onscreen instructions to install the update.

5. Open Photoshop CS. Open the file by selecting it from the browser window and clicking "Open."

Windows

1. Download the Windows update .zip file from the Adobe website. (See Resources) Unzip the file using a utility such as WinZip or WinRar if Windows does not automatically unzip the file.

2. Exit Photoshop CS. The program must be closed for the update to complete.

3. Open the folder where the downloaded file was extracted and double-click "AdobePatchInstaller." Follow the onscreen instructions to install the update.

4. Open Photoshop CS. Open the file by selecting it from the browser window and clicking "Open."

Tips & Warnings

• Some updates can be installed automatically by clicking on "Updates ..." in the "Help" menu in Photoshop.

References

• Adobe: Digital Camera Raw File Support
• Adobe: Understanding Digital Raw Capture (pdf)

Resources

• Camera Raw Update for Mac OS
• Camera Raw Update for Windows
• WinRar Downloads