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J
Jonathan Levin
Known Participant
February 27, 2020
Question

DNG files only work with Photoshop and Bridge???

  • February 27, 2020
  • 1 reply
  • 1390 views

Hi all.

 

I have a library of images that were originally 16 bit scans from B&W negatives done on a Nikon Coolscan 4000. I adjusted all the images, and thought for archive puposes that I would save images as tif files. As time went on, DNG sounded like a better way to archive, so I converted all those tif files to DNG.

 

The problem I am encountering it seems that the only two programs that "read" the initial adjustments, crop, etc. is PS and Bridge. If I view in a program like Apple's Photo app, the images show up, but they are in their uncorrected/cropped state and look awful. Apples own Preview app doesn't open DNG.

 

So my question is what app other than PS or Bridge support opening these types of files with their corrections. I'm thinkin' when I'm dead or something, who will be able to access the corrected images, and what if they don't have/use PS or Bridge????

 

BTW- this only happens with the iamges that were scans from B&W negatives >Tif>DNG. The raw NEF files from my Nikons converted to DNG work fine in Apple Photos. I just use Apple Photos to test how files open.

 

I realize I can re-open all those scanned tiff images, re-save them as PS, jpg, or tiff again, but I thought that DNG would retain the adjustment data reguardless of file type. One other thing I notice is on the converted tiff>DNG, no file previews are generated.

 

Any ideas?

 

I'm trying to figure out the best solution for archiving so someone can open my images and have them look as I intended.

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

L
Lumigraphics
Legend
February 27, 2020

Adjustments are specific to Adobe. You need to render them out as a PSD or TIFF or JPEG so other software can read the edits.

J
Jonathan LevinAuthor
Known Participant
February 27, 2020

I have to re-think the way I am going to archive. I'm not certain what use DNG will have if it is Adobe specific. If someone should open a file that I "processed" and it opens on their end un-adjusted, cropped, etc. that is not goingto work. I was hoping DNG would solve this. I am aware i can re-save everything as Tif, jpg, but I would be hesitant to save to psd. Although once saved, I assume that all my changes are "baked in" meaning that tey will open in any number of apps and look (sort of) like my original intention.

 

Jst trying to figure a workflow.

 

I also just noticed that nef's converted to DNG after editing don't hold those changes when in Apple's Photos. So now I am really scratching my head as to DNG's usefulness. Or maybe I am approaching this all wrong. Teach an old dog new tricks please.

 

Jonathan

L
Lumigraphics
Legend
February 28, 2020

DNG is a RAW format. Just like propietatry RAW files. Just think of it that way. If you need to archive edited files, save as PSD or TIFF. Just remember that those formats have features (say, layers) that may not be read by all software.

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