Nikon Z8 RAW

[default3oldep0uo42g]

I just bought a Nikon Z8 and the Elements 2021 I have will not read the RAW files. The plugin 15.3 did not do the trick, so I'm wondering if Elements2023 would work with the new formats of Nikon Z

[Greg_S. · Accepted solution]

Your new camera requires ACR 15.3.  Even if you purchased Elements 2023, it only updates natively to ACR 14.x.  However, there is a workaround that should work for your existing version of Elements (2021 aka version 19).  I assume that you tried to update to ACR 15.3 from the Adobe ACR installer page.  If so, the plug-in was installed in the Photoshop Creative Cloud directory: 

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Plug-Ins\CC\File Formats

You must copy the Camera Raw.8bi file from that directory to the plug-in folder for Elements 2021:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Plug-Ins\Elements 19\File Formats

I currently have ACR 15.2 working in Elements 2021, so there should be no reason why ACR 15.3 won't work.

You didn't say whether you have Windows or a Mac.   If you need instructions for Mac, check out this page.

[default3oldep0uo42g]

Yes it's for a new iMac with M1 chip. 

[default3oldep0uo42g]

Nothing worked, so I am not sure how I will get my version to read the new RAW files. Unless I have to upgrade to Elelements 2023.

[Pedrito 85750]

I hve used Elements 2023 on Dell Windows  for months on Nikon D500 RAW pictures and have now downloaded 15.5 multiple times, but Eleements still wont let me process Nikon Z8 RAW photos .  The Adobe supported versions page shows  Z8 "planned" camera matching profile available, now over 3 months since Z8 avaialble ! About ready to jumo ship to ON1.....

[Coldsnap]

Hi Greg

Exactly how do we go about copying this into PSE 2023.  This is frustrating.  I would expect Adobe to deal with this on a much more timely basis given Nikon is one of the 3 top camera brands or at least provide a detailed work around explaining each step.  Your help will be appreciated,  Thanks.

[default3oldep0uo42g]

Thanks. I never did add the plug-in to the folder and remember doing that with previous versions. Will try again 

[John30640415jate]

I'm having the same issue. Using the latest MacOS and the attached instructions with the file paths don't work, there aren't the same paths on my Mac. Hoping someone can weigh in with the correct paths and the workaround. I have downloaded Carmera Raw 15.4 but the Photoshop Elements 2023 is still showing the Camera Raw 14.4 plug-in. Thank you in advnace for the help!

[Greg_S.]

@John30640415jate, did you look at the linked article (now found on Archive.org)?  The path to copy the plug-in file for Macs is /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Plug-ins/CC/File Formats.  According to the instructions, the path to copy the file to is:  /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Plug-ins/Elements<Version Number>/File Formats.  The version number for Elements 2023 is 21. 

I know nothing about Macs.  So, if you are still having trouble finding the correct paths, we can call upon another Community Expert to help you.

[John30640415jate]

I ended up figuring it out. Apparently there are two different "Library" folder locations on a Mac. I was using the one under my UserId, not the one under the main hard drive. Appreciate the follow up!

[John Waller]

There are actually 3 Library folders: Local, User and System

https://cleanmymac.com/blog/macos-library-folder

Glad you got it sorted.

[Greg_S.]

@Pedrito 85750 the Adobe camera compatibility page shows that the Nikon Z8 requires ACR 15.3.  It is only the specific camera profile that is planned.  So, I'm assuming that ACR 15.3 or later will indeed be able to interpret your raw files for editing.  You say that you have now downloaded ACR 15.5 many times.  Simply downloading the plug-in is not sufficient to install the plug-in into Elements.  You must follow the instructions that I have provided in my earlier posts precisely.  As you can see from the following screenshot, I have ACR 15.5.x.x working in Elements 2023.

[Greg_S.]

@Coldsnap, detailed instructions can be found at this linked page.

[marcus lf66604685]

Here's my question - why is this necessary? Not as in why does the file need to be in that location but why can't Adobe generate an installer which puts the file where it needs to be in the first place? It seems like an actively user hostile procedure to install the file in the wrong location!