DNG files from Project Indigo won't open in PSE2025 Editor from Camera RAW Addin

Report · Sep 30, 2025

I recently used Project Indigo for my photos of my vacation. I can open the DNG iles in the Camera RAW add-in, but once I adjust them, I can't send them to the PSE2025 editor using Open or Open as Copy. I also can't save them in any other format than DNG. When I finish editing and select Open (or Open as Copy), the PSE Editor says that Camera RAW isn't installed. Which it is. Both PSE2025 and CR are at the most current versions. Also I am using a Macbook Pro with an Apple M4 Max chip running Sequoia 15.6.1.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I know that PI also gives me a .jpg, but I would rather use the DNG version of the file, if possible.

Report · Sep 30, 2025

Did you by chance use HDR on those dngs?

Report · Sep 30, 2025

I'm not sure what you mean. I am using Project Indigo with it's default settings. When I bring it into CR Add-in, I use the auto adjust button then move sliders to improve various setting to my liking. I have changed the setting from 16 bit to 8 bit color since I know PSE doesn't like 16 bit. IDK if my question should be in a camera raw forum, but I don't see one for the elements add in and know I'll just get confusing answers from adobe cc users.

Report · Oct 13, 2025

I am the PM for Project Indigo, and talking to the PSE team, it seems that the problem is related to PSE not supporting 32-bit inputs, which Indigo DNGs are. From the Camera Raw side of things, once Camera Raw reads the DNG in, saving it back as a DNG likely just keeps the 32-bit data... I'll confirm that with the Camera Raw team. I am not sure why you are not allowed to use Camera Raw to save as any other format... I assume that Camera Raw plug-in is independent of the host app it is launched from, so the fact that you are running it from PSE should not matter, but I am not certain. Please bear with me as I dig to find some of these answers. Thanks.

Report · Oct 13, 2025

Thank you for your reply and any clarification. I love the PI app. It takes amazing pictures. But, unfortunately, I have no way to use the DNG version of the file bc PSE can't open it and the CR add-in can't send it back to PSE in a format that PSE can't use either. Luckily I also saved the jpg files, but they just aren't as good as the DNGs, but are better than nothing since I only used PI on my recent vacation. I look forward to hearing what other options might be available to me.

Report · Oct 13, 2025

Thank you for your reply and any clarification. I love the PI app. It takes amazing pictures. But, unfortunately, I have no way to use the DNG version of the file bc PSE can't open it and the CR add-in can't send it back to PSE in a format that PSE can't use either. Luckily I also saved the jpg files, but they just aren't as good as the DNGs, but are better than nothing since I only used PI on my recent vacation. I look forward to hearing what other options might be available to me.

By @lmlevesque

Depending on what you are trying to do, you can give Lightroom mobile app a go. It has a free use option, which is limited but that may be all you need. And it definitely works with Indigo DNGs well. I may add one question here: are you at all interested in HDR or not? Because if yes, then PSE is probably not the best tool for your needs. If SDR is all you need, then I'll see whether there is a better workflow which allows you to use Indigo DNGs in PSE.

Report · Oct 18, 2025

I did find a work around that isn't perfect, but it is better than using the .jpg files. I open the .DNG with the Preview app on my Mac, then export to jpg, then bring into the CR add-in and then I'm good. I loose a little quality (expected), but it is better than the straight .jpg files. And then PSE is happy. I am a digital scrapbooker, so I don't necessarily need HDR, but I love the quality. I've had an Adobe photography subscription in the past, but the cost just isn't worth it when I really on use Photoshop and Bridge. So now I use the free Bridge (not as good, but good enough) and buy PSE and it is a huge cost savings, (even with the 3 year license). I will try the lightroom mobile app and see if it speeds up my workflow, since the files start out on my phone anyways. Thank you so much for your replies.

Report · Oct 17, 2025

I confirmed with the PSE and Camera Raw teams that the version of Camera Raw offered as a plug-in in PSE is indeed only a subset of the full Camera Raw offered in Photoshop or Bridge (and which is included natively in Lightroom). That is why you are running into issues such as no 32-bit DNG support, inability to save files in other formats, etc. It does not seem there is much demand for 32-bti file support in PSE, in which case it is unlikely that this situation will change until more users come forward with a demand to support it. I am sorry that your workflow from Indigo to PSE is not fitting your needs... but do let me know if I can help in another way to enable you to use Indigo DNGs for editing.

Report · Oct 17, 2025

Hi lmlevesque

A work around is to import the DNG's into the Organizer and convert them.

Select the thumbnails
From the menu click File > Export As New Files
I choose PSD which also support layers
Choose Original for photo size
Select Original Names unless you wish to rename
Click the Browse button to choose a folder for the saved files
Click Export

Then go to the Editor and click File > Open in Camera Raw

Browse to your new folder of exported images.

Report · Oct 18, 2025

Very Creative!! I did find a workflow where I use the Preview App on my Mac, and someone also recommended using Lightroom Mobile. But I'll try this one too and see what works best! Honestly, I never use Organizer bc I use Adobe Bridge, so it will be interesting to see how Organizer will work! Thank you so much for replying. Now I have several options in my bag of tricks!

Report · Oct 19, 2025

You could also use the Export panel in Bridge to convert the DNG files to Tiff files, which should then open in Photoshop Elements via File>Open in Camera Raw.

Report · Oct 19, 2025

Thanks so much for this tip. I have the free version of Bridge so my only options for Export are Custom and DNG. But from your suggestion, I played around with the custom option and buried 2 screens deep was the option to save as .tif!!! This will make my workflow easier bc I can batch process the .dng files rather than doing them one at a time! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!!!