is PP supposed to take so long?

[montreal]

Hello,

I use FileViewerUtility (came with the camera) to post-process my images from raw. I also use PS Elements 2.0 but it can't read raw files so I have to at least begin with FileViewerUtility and then convert to tif or jpg (otherwise there would be no point shooting raw)

Anyway, FVU takes so long to display the image (5-10 seconds)... and it takes just as long to "redisplay" it everytime I make an adjustment (contrast, saturation, white balance, whatever). And then when I convert&save it takes long again. Is my computer particularly slow or does PP just take time with big raw files?

What should I look for in a new comp to shorten PP time?

[ejwebb]

There are more efficient software solutions that allow you to see changes as you make them and even allow for batch processing multiple images. Elements 3.0 has a very good RAW converter - it doesn't do multiple images at once but it is quick and easy to use - try the free trial from the Adobe website.

Or you can try Rawshooter which is free forever (no trial period!!) - excellent features and the fastest that I have used:

http://shop.element5.com/product.html?productid=300013536&languageid=1&cart=1&currencies=EUR,all&noquickbuy=1

You do not say what your camera is but you may also be eligible to download the Digital Photo Professional (DPP) software for free from the Canon downloads at their website - it is also an excellent converter and also allows for real-time adjustments and multiple file processing.

I have no idea about your computer but try these to see how they work on your machine. If all you have used is FVU I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[montreal]

Thanks for your answer and suggestions. I'll check those out. By the way I have a 300d.

FVU allows processing several pics at the same time but of course that means the same adjustments have to be made on all the pictures.

[ejwebb]

Great camera! Same as mine. You can go to Canon's website and download DPP - go to the software download page and enter your camera, etc. to get to the software listing. I actually get the best results when converting with it but use the others I mentioned more out of convenience. It is much better than FVU but more complicated. I really think Rawshooter has a lot of promise and love its speed and interface. You have plenty to play with for a while!!

[abat]

I was initially put off RAW due to processing times in FVU (I have a PIII 1000 with only 256mb RAM). This has changed after using Rawshooter. It updates edits very quick despite claiming it needs 512M RAM. It also have a nice methodology from initial sorting right up to conversion. The 5MB download is also a bit faster than PSE3's 200MB or so on my 56K modem.

[montreal]

Ok... I'm embarrassed... :o

I started this thread last summer... took shots all summer... downloaded Rawshooter but never got to installing it...

I downloaded it again last week (there was a new version) and finally installed it. It's SO FAST compared to FileViewer!!!

I'm catching up on all the pp I had to do since I got that thing. And it's free!

So please if you're reading this and still using FileViewer to convert from raw hurry up and download RawShooter. I feel so silly not getting around to installing it earlier... I just didn't feel like learning how to use yet another piece of software... but it's quite intuitive really...

:cool: