Camera Raw and HEIC files problem

[trwalp]

I want to convert a folder full of HEIC files to JPEG and I was hoping Bridge could do this as a batch process.

I am getting the following error message in Bridge (which spawns Photoshop CC in the process) when I try to open an HEIC image file:

"Photoshop Camera Raw does not support HEIC files on windows".

The Adobe Help page titled HEIC and HEVC media files support in Lightroom and Camera Raw says:

"In the Camera Raw Preferences dialog box, ensure that the JPEG/HEIC field is set to either Automatically open JPEGs and HEICs with settings or Automatically open all supported JPEGs and HEICs. To access Camera Raw Preferences, click the Open Preferences Dialog button  in the Camera Raw dialog box."

Whether from Bridge or PS I do not see the above text in my Camera Raw Preferences dialog box even though I just updated LR Classic CC, PS CC 2019 and Camera Raw this morning.

Camera Raw Prefs ver 11.3.9.197

Bridge ver 9.0.3.279 x64

Adobe Photoshop Version: 20.0.4 20190227.r.76 2019/02/27: 1205725  x64

Windows 10 Pro ver 1809.

I tried an Adobe support chat with Rahul about the disconnect between the Help Page and my Camera Raw Preferences. After he "researched" the subject he referred me to the same help page with the assertion that it will help. Things went downhill from there. I kept trying to get him to address the disconnect between the help page's references to JPEG/HEIC and that option not appearing at my end. He danced around it with all kinds of recommendations. "you need to convert the images to  HEIC/HEVC media to JPEG/H.264 while transferring to a Mac or PC." and "Actually we cannot open the HEIC files directly we have to first convert the images into JPEG or some other format which is supported on the application." and "Actually you can use the current version and it is not only for Lightroom application for the Photoshop application as well you have to first convert it and then import it into the application."

The chat ended up being an endless loop so I clicked off.

I am not seeking concurrence about Adobe's deplorable support. Does anyone know about the error message I cite and in what universe does the referenced Help page apply?

[Sergiu_M-D]

I don't know about iphone pictures (Apple is well-known for various unnecessary quirks in their support of various file formats and codecs), but I can open HEIF files generated by a Samsung phone with just the HEIF codec installed (as the name states, HEVC is for video, so, logically, not needed).

[Sergiu_M-D]

Just tested with a HEIC file made by an American friend with his iphone, and it opens without any hitch.

P.S. For non-believers, see the image below:

[simond5514767]

https://community.adobe.com/t5/camera-raw-ideas/heif-and-heic-files-import/idi-p/12411440#M3933 

Maybe you wanna Support my request on Adobe to fix this heic import option 

[sjc88]

iMazing HEIC converter (Freeware) is very good and will convert to jpeg or tiff and then allow Photoshop editing.

Whatever anyone says, Apple products are poorly featured or function poorly these days, apart maybe from the high end iPads.

What were wonderful Macbook Pros until around 2014 (mine will be obsolete by the end of the year) have been replaced by overpriced non-upgradeable heaps of excrement with low capacity SSD/RAM etc soldered onto the mainboard unless big bucks have been spent, forcing many savvy creatives who prefer to have data both in the cloud and fully stored on their computers onto the handful of decent upgradeable Windows machines, only to suffer photo downloading issues from iPhones particularly (solved by SanDisk double-ended flash sticks USB3/Lightning and their wonderful bundled app).

Instead of directing subscribers to Microsoft Shop Codecs (video chargeable) that don't seem to work, Adobe should be building this in as many creatives now use iPhones/iPads for serious work.

I for one have had enough of this poor service.

[Lumigraphics]

I'm not sure how this rant applies, the topic is Windows support for an open standard image format. The workaround seems pretty easy to me, even if it does cost US$0.99.

And we will just disagree on what Apple is doing, IMHO they are continuing to distance themselves from the mass PC market.

Finally, as a working pro photographer, I have over 8TB of image data stored on hard drives. That's not going in the cloud unless I decide to use something like Carbonite for cold storage. Again, though, not on-topic for this post.

[Sergiu_M-D]

I really, and I mean REALLY, don't understand why everyone says you have to pay the US$0.99 for HEVC. As I explained in earlier posts, I have only installed the "HEIF Image Extensions" and I can open HEIC/HEIF files, even ones coming from iphones. I could chalk it up to the behaviour type "pay first, (maybe) inquire later" that I observed in the absolute majority of people that use apple products, but this seems just too much (even if the amount is just one dollar).

So I make myself avalable (as much as possible) to anyone who wants to identify the reason why this works for me and doesn't for so many other people and find a fix. Because this would be a fix; having to pay for a video codec in order to open an image file is not normal at all.

[Lumigraphics]

Because some files require both codecs to open.

[Sergiu_M-D]

I haven't encoutered any file that would not open on my system, could you send me one of those that "require both codecs to open" and I will give it a try?

[Lumigraphics]

I haven't done testing but I have seen plenty of reports of this. I use Macs and rarely take photos with my iPhone so I'm not someone who would run into the issue.

[kmilos]

Perhaps you had one pre-installed by e.g. your graphics card vendor. There used to be a "free" version of this codec until October 2020.

[Sergiu_M-D]

I only have the GeForce driver and EVGA Precision X1 software installed for my graphics card (nothing has been preinstalled as I installed Windows myself, on a system built by me), and I don't know them to contain any codecs.

I don't remember installing the free version of the codec, but I would not exclude it (it has been some time since I installed Windows on this machine in 2017); any idea how to check that?

[Phoebe25448360wqgy]

Hello all, 

Not sure if everyone figured it out as of yet. I'm new and doing editing for my school's yearbook. I've been able to open HEIC files as a Smart Objcxt (found in the File tab menu). Then it opens - Yay! You don't have to edit the extension or save as anything until you are done with the picture. But honestly, always save just in case.

Windows, imo, should have this fix-"ed" asap. Why should Adobe charge for such an "extra," not impressed.

Cheers, Feebs

[Rune5E09]

According to Adobe, one need to install both applications, HEIC and HEVC from Windows Store.
Source: Download and Install Windows HEIF and HEVC codecs (adobe.com)

But for employees that is a problem. Because very few companies allows their employees to buy software from Windows Store. Besides, it also would be against companies security policy to allow uncritical downloads from Windows Store.

Also, if one take into account  Adobes price level, it´s totally strange and very anooying that they  don´t just embed those codecs into their software, since they allready support most of the codecs out there.

A lot of big companies have dozens employees taking photos with the file-format setting set to .heic, both with iPhone and Android phone. For security reasons, in addittion to reasons of cost and logistics, a lot companies won´t allow more applications than strictly needed. So it would be very nice and polite of Adobe to take care of their customers and embed these codecs, for HEIC and HEVC, very soon. It would also have been nice if Adobe got a much better public roadmap for their customers and especially enterprise customers.