It would be extremely useful to me if it were possible to change ACR versions quickly in the CC app, rather than with the installer packages (see: https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-in-installer.html#12_x). This would let me easily use the superior user interface of 12.2.1 and also the masking features in the newer versions of ACR.
Even better if this could be done at-will within the photoshop Preferences menus somehow.
It would be extremely useful to me if it were possible to change ACR versions at will in a Preference menu before opening raw files, or within ACR after opening files. This would let me use the UI and features of both my prefered version (12.2.1) and the newer versions.
Not going to fly. For one, older versions of Adobe Camera Raw will not run on newer versions of Photoshop (you asked in another thread, I tested, and no go).
Next, the installer installs a lot more than just the plug-in. It installs hundreds of lens and camera profiles that are specific to that version of ACR/Installer placing these documents in various locations on the computer.
So as of today, you can't use what you feel is a 'superior' UI in 12.1 in the current version of Photoshop.
Your options:
Stick with an older version of Photoshop that supports 12.1. NEVER upgrade Photoshop (each time you do, Adobe Camera Raw gets installed with it).
Update to the latest version of both and move on.
If you wish to stick with an older version of ANY Adobe software, you must disable Auto Update in Adobe Creative Cloud.
Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
Hi all. With the rather unfortunate move to the new Lightroom-inspired camera raw interface 12.3 and up I was quickly forced to remain on the older 12.1 version. This has always also been indicated as the go-to solution, by Adobe itself. "We don't force anything on you, you can always roll back".
Unfortunately this seems to have gotten to an end. Photoshop 2023 - the latest versions - do not work well when ACR 12.1 is installed. It just simply crashes when opening raw files, and in general becomes unstable (even if not opening raw files, sometimes, just multiple of any files). Installing the latest camera raw solves this issue.
Now, I could simply stay with older photoshop versions but unfortunately anything post 2021 barley works on Intel XE videocards. On multiple laptops the 2022 versions which offer more advanced functionality simply are not stable, especially the AI features often don't work and Adobe support cannot seem to resolve this. Ergo, I now have to choose between a 2023 with the inefficient and clunky modern CRAW interface or 2021 with the old, fast and logical 12.1 CRAW interface.
As a sidenote, it's also pretty obvious Adobe doesn't care at all about this issue - they force-feed you new Camera raw updates when you update photoshop (it overwrites older versions, even though I didn't press "update camera raw".
Alas, I digress. Anyone else found a way to have 2023 be backwards compatible with the 12.1 Camera RAW?
Your comments highlight that you don't really use camera raw (old version or new) in the way some other users do, like for example Charles or myself. There is quantiable and measurable inefficiency in the newer camera raw interface compared to the older ones. The amount of mouse clicks made + distances covered is *vastly* worse compared to 12.1 interface. It's really sad that both Adobe and some - supposedly knowledgable - fans of Adobe software are either not caring or not aware of the highly inefficient nature of the new camera raw interface.
It's the worst downgrade I've had in 25+ years of working with imaging software (or in general, *any* software). Well, except maybe Windows 8 coming from Windows 7.
The reason why Adobe did this is simple : Seamless operation between Lightroom and Photoshop. Many lightroom users can hence step-up to Photoshop, making for a more attractive and easier upgrade path. This does not however reduce the reality that any power user that does a lot of single-image editing (what ACR excelled in) has felt : My work now is around half as slow, even after trying to get used to the old interface for weeks.
Oddly enough, when I switch to non-Adobe software (curious to try) I find their interface to edit raw imagery highly intuitive straight from the bat. In around a day I can get used to them. I've had this experience with several pieces of RAW editing software from competing brands, and it's rather shocking that I cannot replicate that experience with the Lightroom interface. It's just broken. From a UI/UX standpoint it cannot match up to the old ACR interface, and any person with any UI/UX background will tell you the same. Perhaps something to consider before you are so cold/negative about people who struggle with the 'upgrade' - which is in reality a downgrade. A downgrade not felt by many users - possibly you - because they came from Lightroom. It just feels like home to those, not like hell.
michaelgfx one thing that might get Adobe to rethink this consumer based UIX strategy is the class action lawsuits that can be filed against Adobe for purposely causing people to get arthiritis and carpal tunnel syndrome entirely due to their purposeful design flaws that have the user perfoming substantially more unnessary mousing clicking and scrolling.
The irony is people coming from Lightroom have no clue just how horrible ACR was set up in Lightroom from the beginning it was useless for Pro users from the start. These same users have no clue how much more efficient ACR was before the change. They don't realize the reason their eyes heads arms and hands hurt is because of the consumer based UIX.
The Pro version of ACR version 12.2.1 worked so seamlessly for the user that switching from icon tab to icon tab the eye does not even notice it happening. Even simple things like getting input fields to highlight. In the past just clicking on the slider or input window highlighted that field to input a value. Now you must physically mouse click mouse to highlight anything.
This hot mess is so bad I am not sure it is even legal for Adobe to deny the use of older versions. I am paying for something now that is causing a loss of personal time and leading to physical disabilities. This is happening to every user whether they know or accept it or not.
11
Replies
AdChoices
