How can I reopen an image in Adobe Camera Raw after opening it in Photoshop?
Asked 12/7/2011
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I often open several RAW files in Adobe Camera Raw, review them in the filmstrip, and click Open Image to continue editing one in Photoshop. Later, I may want to return to Camera Raw for more RAW-style adjustments without reselecting all the files. Is there a way to reopen that image in Camera Raw from Photoshop, or preserve a link back to Camera Raw when opening the file?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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When you are in Camera RAW, make whatever adjustments you like, then press the shift key. The open button changes to Open Object. This gives you a re-editable object -- i.e., you can dive back into Camera RAW if you like simply by double-clicking the smart object layer.
All of that said, if you make any raster level adjustments in Photoshop -- say a spotting / healing layer, then go back into Camera RAW to tweak the color balance, all your dust busting will be the wrong color. There are techniques for working with Smart Objects, but at the end of most post-processing, you have to commit to some pixel-level stuff otherwise you wouldn't have broken out a big hammer like Photoshop in the first place, right?
Do you have a use-case for this extra level of flexibility? That would help with a more complete answer that addresses specific concerns.
Originally by user5270. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user5270
14y ago
0
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Yes—if you want to return to Camera Raw later, open the file as a Smart Object instead of a normal raster layer.
In Camera Raw, hold Shift and the Open Image button changes to Open Object. You can also enable opening as Smart Objects in the Camera Raw workflow options. Once opened in Photoshop, double-click the Smart Object layer thumbnail to reopen it in Camera Raw and continue adjusting the RAW settings.
If the image was opened normally, you generally can’t restore the original Camera Raw session. In newer Photoshop versions, you can use Filter > Camera Raw Filter to open the Camera Raw interface on the current layer, but that works on the rendered image rather than taking you back to the original RAW editing state.
Be aware that changing RAW settings after doing pixel-level retouching in Photoshop can affect how those later edits look, so Smart Objects are most useful when you want that flexibility.
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