MS's RAW Image Viewer looks and works much like XP's built in Picture and Fax Viewer
An ever-increasing number of digital stills cameras are able to record images in high-quality RAW format that retains everything a camera's sensor captures and uses no compression. RAW images also contain a lot of useful information about each exposure - including details of shutter speed, lens length, aperture, ISO setting and even white balance, plus date and time.
So, back at base, with high-quality originals and lots of relevant shot information, the photographer should, with the right editing software, be able to squeeze the maximum quality out of each image.
It's RAW, but not as we know it, Jim
Trouble is, there is no one RAW format – each camera or family of cameras has its own - so you can't just send someone a RAW that you've shot and assume they'll be able to open it. Unless, that is, you know they've already got suitable image-editing or browsing software installed.
Windows XP has native support for viewing and browsing many still image formats but not RAW files – Microsoft, understandably, says RAW's camera-specific nature is the reason. Raw support is expected to come as standard in the next iteration of Windows but it's possible to have built-in support in XP, too, after Microsoft made available a very useful Powertoy applet, the RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer for Windows XP.
This free download (6.4MB or 54.1MB) lets anyone get at RAW files captured from 26 models of camera - 18 Canon and 8 Nikon. However, anyone, in this context, means the user of a decent modern Windows XP PC running an up-to-date and kosher version of the operating system (including Tablet PC and MC Editions).
The applet handles three types of Canon RAW image (.crw, .cr2, .tif); plus Nikon .nef. It also works with a variety of non-RAW files – bitmaps (.bmp); JPEGs (.jpg, .jpe, .jpeg); Windows Metafile (.wmf); Tagged Image File (.tif, .tiff); Graphics Interchange Format (.gif); and Portable Network Graphics(.png). A list of the applet's supported cameras is given at the end of an informative white paper available for download (2.16MB) in MS Word format.
The RAW Image Viewer looks and works much like XP's built in Picture and Fax Viewer. It allows folders of images to be browsed as thumbnails. Folders of RAW images can also be viewed as slideshows and the individual files viewed at high res and printed, too. In addition, there are some enhancements over the Picture and Fax Viewer, such as a Properties button to display shot-settings and other in-file metadata; and an option to choose which program to use by default to edit RAW files.
With the applet installed,
hovering the mouse pointer over a Raw file displays
shooting info, while a right click lets you action the file, including choosing what program to
use to open it for viewing or editing (instead of double-clicking to activate the default program)
shooting info, while a right click lets you action the file, including choosing what program to
use to open it for viewing or editing (instead of double-clicking to activate the default program)
Seen here with a RAW file open,
the RAW Image Viewer offers some
enhancements over XP's built-in Picture and Fax Viewer, such as a Properties
button to display shot-settings and other in-file metadata; and an option to choose
which program to use by default to edit RAW files
enhancements over XP's built-in Picture and Fax Viewer, such as a Properties
button to display shot-settings and other in-file metadata; and an option to choose
which program to use by default to edit RAW files
Microsoft doesn't pretend that the applet is any kind of substitute for a dedicated RAW-image editing program. But that's not the aim. Instead, it's to provide a freebie that allows anyone you choose to take a detailed look at your original RAW files without having to install your camera-maker's own software or any other programs – apart from Version 1.1 of Microsoft's .NET Framework.
And, the need for .NET Framework explains why there are two sizes of downloadable installer – the larger one includes .NET Framework 1.1, the smaller is for those who have it installed already.
Even after only a short time of fiddling, it's clear this is a Powertoy that's definitely worth getting hold of by anyone who shoots in Canon or Nikon RAW formats or needs to check out such images on a PC that doesn't have fancy RAW software installed. And we say that whether the download will be a conveniently fast via broadband or a major chore over a modem.
Boating pictures and Nikon D70 Raw files courtesy of marine photographer Nigel Pert.
