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Pohanginapete
Inspiring
March 3, 2018
Answered

Photoshop CC won't open DNG or other Raw files

  • March 3, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 31372 views

For years now, I've been processing photographs in Lightroom then sending them to Photoshop (CTRL E) for final editing. Recently, after updating to the latest versions of Lightroom Classic CC (7.2 release) and Photoshop CC (19.1.1 release), Photoshop stopped loading the photographs and opened an explorer window instead, requiring me to choose a file to edit. However, the list of accepted file formats not only does not include .dng files, it includes no other Raw formats except Photoshop Raw. If I try to open a .dng file (created by Lightroom), I get the error message 'Could not complete your request because it is not the right kind of document.'

I tried reverting to the previous version of Photoshop CC but the problem persisted. This is a major loss of functionality in Photoshop CC and I'd greatly appreciate any help in trying to fix it. Thanks.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Pohanginapete

    OK, I have solved the problem, which appeared to be that Photoshop could not find the Camera Raw plug-in (ACR). I downloaded the Camera Raw plug-in installer from this Adobe webpage, unzipped it, closed all apps and ran the installer. I then restarted the computer and Photoshop CC 2018 now finds the ACR plug-in and I can once again send raw files directly from Lightroom to Photoshop.

    4 replies

    D
    Dechilito
    Participant
    March 3, 2019

    I'm having this problem now with the latest Photoshop (20.0.3) Lightroom (8.2) and Camera Raw (11.2). The message from Photoshop when I try to open a .dng file from Lightroom is that Photoshop cannot find the file, though it certainly is there. This is tragic; I have ten's of thousands .dng files that I cannot work with Photoshop now. PLEASE help!

    B
    brich4d
    Participating Frequently
    March 8, 2019

    I have a similar problem with two different Macs. Both can't open a DNG off a network drive. Copy to a local drive works. A local network drive such as a Drobo works. I have found a work around for Photoshop and Bridge that might help but it doesn't work in Lightroom. If you change one setting in Camera Raw in either Photoshop or Bridge by increasing or decreasing a value in any choice I can get it to open in Photoshop. Return settings to previous problem settings and the problem still exits. For example, change Clarity by increasing or decreasing your number by 1. If its at zero, put it to +1 or -1. And then chose open. Return that value to zero and it again doesn't work. I have done this to two different Macs at my place or work, operated by myself and another employee and the results are the same. This only happens if the drive is not local. You can change anything from color temp, tint, exposure, blacks and whites and even highlights and shadows by a tiny increment and it works here. Again, return settings to previous problematic settings and the problem returns.

    D
    Dechilito
    Participant
    March 10, 2019

    I have problems solved the issue of Dechilito and myself that the issue is with Camera Raw 11.2. Installing 11.1 over it has solved all my issues with accessing dng files off of a network drive


    I did what brich4d said and re-installed Camera Raw 11.1 and the problem has been solved. It seems, then, that the problem is with Camera Raw 11.2. Hopefully Adobe will fix this soon. Thanks a gazillion, brich4d!

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    PohanginapeteAuthorCorrect answer
    Inspiring
    March 18, 2018

    OK, I have solved the problem, which appeared to be that Photoshop could not find the Camera Raw plug-in (ACR). I downloaded the Camera Raw plug-in installer from this Adobe webpage, unzipped it, closed all apps and ran the installer. I then restarted the computer and Photoshop CC 2018 now finds the ACR plug-in and I can once again send raw files directly from Lightroom to Photoshop.

      D Fosse
      Community Expert
      D FosseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 17, 2018

      Can you open Bridge Preferences > File associations and check that DNG (or camera native raw format) is really set to Photoshop 2018?

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      PohanginapeteAuthor
      Inspiring
      March 17, 2018

      Yes, in Bridge the file association for Digital negative (.dng) is set to 'Adobe Photoshop CC 2018'.

      I updated Photoshop CC 2018 yesterday and the problem still persists. My guess is that Photoshop is somehow not linking to Adobe Camera Raw.

      D Fosse
      Community Expert
      D FosseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 17, 2018

      Skipping Lightroom for a second - can you open raw files through ACR?

      If you can, this is likely a Lightroom problem rather than a PS problem. Check Lr preferences for "external editing", if everything looks normal there, try to reset Lr preferences, or uninstall/reinstall.

      ramanb16
      ramanb16
      Participant
      March 17, 2018

      I am experiencing the same issue. ADOBE pls help rectify this error.

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