Best way to convert raw file to tiff?

[mrdavie99]

I want to convert a raw file to a tiff file and have that tiff file be catalogued in Lightroom. The options I have are:

1. Export to tiff and then import that file into Lightroom

2. Tell Lightroom to edit the file in Photoshop and then just save without doing any edits. That places it in the LR database.

3. Optionally edit the file in another add-in which converts it to tiff and then save which places it in the LR database.

These methods require multiple steps. Is there not a way to simply create a tiff (or jpeg, etc) in one step inside of Lightroom?

[JP Hess · Accepted solution]

Lightroom never modifies master images. They always remain unchanged, in their pristine state as they were when they were downloaded from the camera. When you want to create a tiff image, it's necessary to export a copy of the image including all of the adjustments that were made using Lightroom. You can specify the destination to be the same folder as the original, and you can choose the option in the export dialog to add the new tiff image to the catalog. But there is no way to "convert" a raw image to a tiff or JPEG image.

[mrdavie99]

Thank you. I missed the option to have the export process add the new image to the catalogue.

[mrdavie99]

In rereading your response, I realized "convert" was the wrong term to use. I needed to "bake" the reversed tone curve into the image, which is the reason for creating a tiff file.

[Rob_Cullen]

Your workflow-

1. Export to tiff and then import that file into Lightroom

2. Tell Lightroom to edit the file in Photoshop and then just save without doing any edits.

From the raw in Lightroom- Why don't you simply 'Edit-In' [Ctrl+E] to open the (raw) image in Photoshop (as TIFF- set in preferences), Invert the curve by an action, [Save] & [Close]. (Hint: even place the Save & Close in the Action!)

Then your workflow would be-

1. [Edit In]

2. Run Action in Photoshop.

This eliminates any 'Export' step, and it automatically adds the TIFF to the Catalog.

[mrdavie99]

Photoshop is a clean alternative. JimHess's clarification that the export process allows automatically saving tiff back to the original folder (or other folder) and adding to catalog is also a streamlined step. With a preset for the export, I now just have to click export, select the preset, and go. It's done. Thanks for your suggestion.

[Rob_Cullen]

[Ctrl+E] is easier than an 'Export' Preset function!