FAQ: Batch conversion (esp RAW to JPG/JPEG)

[tim]

A common question that's asked here is "how do I convert a batch of RAW images to JPG?" This is one of the most common tasks that photographers need to do, so there's a bunch of different ways to achieve it.

EVERY Raw processing program can do this AFAIK. DPP, Lightroom, Photoshop, etc. I only know Photoshop, so i'll describe a few different ways to do it in there. If people want to PM me steps for other programs i'll add it into this post, with credit to the author.

This whole FAQ is from memory, if I got it wrong PM me and i'll update it.

Photoshop Image Processor: The Image processor script (File -> Scripts -> Image Processor) is the best general purpose batch conversion tool. It can convert any file format that photoshop recognises (JPG, TIFF, PSD, RAW, etc) to TIFF or JPG. It can also optionally resize the images to fit within dimensions you specify, and optionally convert the color space to sRgb, which is essential if you're putting the files on the web or sharing them with people who don't understand color management.

The script is in CS3 and I think CS2, for CS1 you can google "Dr Browns Image Processor" and add the script to Photoshop (see the install instructions).

Steps:

1. In CS3 choose File -> Script -> Image Processor
2. Choose your source and destination directories
3. If you want the dimensions to be limited check the box and enter the longest dimension you want. Note that it will resize down, but won't resize up.
4. Check the "convert to sRgb box" if the files are for the web, consumer printing labs, or the general public.
5. Hit go.

Bridge/Adobe Camera Raw (ACR)
These instructions are for CS3, but CS2 is similar. Note ACR can save as JPG, TIFF, or PSD.

1. Open your files in ACR via bridge, or drag and drop a set of RAW files into photoshop.
2. Make any changes you like.
3. Below the center of the image click the blue text and set your output options - color space, file size, etc.
4. Hit select all in the top left of ACR
5. Down the bottom left hit save files. Choose your directory and filenames, and hit go.

If ACR opens inside Bridge then Photoshop is usable during conversion. If ACR opens inside Photoshop then you can't use it. You should be able to open ACR in Bridge, but with CS3 it's is a known bug that sometimes it won't.

There's a limit to the number of images that will open in ACR. Personally I use this method for up to about 50 images, over that I use the Image Processor.

Image Processor via Bridge
This lets you choose individual files to process, but gives you the control of the image processor.

1. In bridge select the images to convert.
2. Choose tools -> photoshop services -> image processor (this is from memory, it's something like that).
3. Use image processor as usual

Note: If you're converting RAW files to JPEG Adobe Camera RAW is 2-4 times faster than using image processor. The only advantage image processor has is that it lets you precisely control the number of pixels in the image. Within ACR you can select from a number of sizes, but you can't specify it exactly.

Photoshop Elements 7 (care of batmite)

Click FILE> click PROCESS MULTIPLE FILE> a window will open then select the SOURCE and the DESTINATION> at the bottom there is a box you can click to check and select the type of conversion, that it says CONVERT FILES TO then click to select from a drop down window which kind if JPEG...PDF..TIFF...ETC.

And also you will notice, there is another box on the right hand side of the current window there is an option if want to use QUICK FIX and LABELS. This two options can help you automatically fix contrast, sharpen, etc. Hope this will help.

[S-Man]

This is great info...Someone finally explained it to me how to process files in CS2/Bridge, and it's easy as pie. I really don't see the need for Lightroom since it's this easy, but I'm saying this having never used LR.
Kudos to you sir, for putting it in writing so simply! I vote for a sticky!

[MaxxuM]

There is also a free way to batch convert pictures and the quality is on par with Photoshop, at least with JPEGs.

Download and install the freeware program called FastStone Image Viewer then follow these steps:

1. Go to Tools > Batch Convert/Rename
2. Go to the photo directory (you can select folders and it will recreate folder hierarchy in the new location so it will not just clump them all gotether... nice feature).
3. Drag folders or Add or Add All
4. Pick Output Format then Settings pick 100% quality & FLOAT
5. Select Output Location (create one anywhere you like)
6. Check "Use advanced options (Resize, Rotate, Crop, Color Depth, Adjustments, DPI, Text, Watermark and Border).
7. Next, check Rename, Keep Original Data/Time attribues and Ask before overwrite as needed.

Great little program IMO and I use it a lot to make contact sheets and to batch rename large amounts of directories of photos. Just be careful because their's no going back.

[tim]

Originally Posted by S-Man

This is great info...Someone finally explained it to me how to process files in CS2/Bridge, and it's easy as pie. I really don't see the need for Lightroom since it's this easy, but I'm saying this having never used LR.
Kudos to you sir, for putting it in writing so simply! I vote for a sticky!

It will probably be added within the forum FAQ links. Now we just have to persuade people to read the FAQs before they ask a question.

[Paul Tinworth]

Thanks for taking the time to write that, Tim! Useful stuff.

[davidcrebelxt]

I'll add here that if you shot RAW only and you need quick .jpgs batched out for sharing, or posting to web without processing AND you want it to match how camera would have done it, Zoombrowser left at its default settings tends to get you the closest.

(According to a reply I got from Canon Support, the processing algorithms in zoombrowser more closely match in-camera digic chip... DPP will get you close, but colors are often times muted, and other slight variations... not hard to overcome, but if you're after quick and dirty no-touch conversion to match camera, Zoombrowser seems to be the way to go.)

[blinded]

Too bad you can't have lots of RAW converters all listed in the post.

[tim]

Originally Posted by blinded

Too bad you can't have lots of RAW converters all listed in the post.

I only know Adobe Camera RAW. As I said in the post if anyone can contribute information i'll copy it into the first post of the thread.

[St1ll]

Guys i've got a question for you; I have a + 4 sharpening setting on the camera; is it only working for jpgs or it works on raws though?

[blinded]

Originally Posted by tim

I only know Adobe Camera RAW. As I said in the post if anyone can contribute information i'll copy it into the first post of the thread.

Oh, I didn't see that. I'm not a detail oriented person. Anyways, mind if I put instructions up for DPP and Bibble? And any others I can think of and you can append them to the first post? Maybe I'd help to put them in alphabetical order so others can find them the fastest if I end up posting lots of different postings. Also, you included a lot of information under Photoshop Image Processor. It might help to just list the steps and not really go into options, just to keep everything clean and organized. You can say at the top that the output format is dependent on the program you use, rather than listing the format each program can do. But that's up to you. And it might help to move the version you based your instructions on in the title of the program in captions and small fonts like I did, or say that they also work for ___. You can also remove the line about CS2/CS3 for ACR. It's identical. These are just suggestions though.

THESE INSTRUCTIONS ASSUME YOU HAVE MADE ALL THE INITIAL TWEAKS (EXPOSURE/WB/ETC) TO YOUR IMAGE AND JUST WANT TO OUTPUT TO JPEG/TIFF/ETC. If you want to batch a group of images with the same settings, most programs have easy copy/paste features, or a synchronize feature (just select the source image first).

Digital Photo Professional (instructions based off v3.4.1.1)
1. Select the thumbnails of photos to batch process with shift or control keys.
2. File -> Batch Process
3. Now you can set destination, file names, output quality, etc.
4. Press "Execute" to start. A progress bar will come up showing what it's working on.

Bibble (based off Bibble Pro v4.10a)
NOTE: Bibble handles Batch Queues with mostly predetermined settings in the form of presets. You can edit these in the Batch Queues tab in the Folder View panel by right clicking a method and choosing Settings. Color management is dependent on each image though, so copy/paste color management settings if you want consistency. Once a batch as started, progress percentage will be shown next to the method chosen (full details: right click method -> Show). You can also speed up batch processing by enabling the "Process process foreground images" in preferences, though this will slow down Save As or zooming.

Way 1 - folder of RAW images to be converted
1. File -> Batch Convert
2. Choose a batch method and source folder, then click Start Batch. Depending on the method, you may not get to set an output folder.
3. Images start processing, check status in Batch Queues tab (see above note).

Way 2 - select images
1. Select the thumbnails of photos to batch process with shift or control keys.
2. Drag the selection to method of batch processing in the Batch Queues tab or click the hotkey that's associated with the batch method. Depending on the method, you may not get to set an output folder.
3. Images start processing, check status in Batch Queues tab (see above note).

Silkypix (based off v3.0.19.0)
1. Open images through File -> Open file/Open folder.
2. Select the thumbnails of photos to batch process with shift or control keys.
3. Development -> Batch development for selected scene.
4. Now you can set destination, file names, output quality, etc. The settings button at the bottom gives you more control.
5. Press "Execute" to start. A progress bar will come up showing what it's working on.

Lightroom (based v1.4.1)
1. In the Library, select thumbnails of photos to batch process with shift or control keys.
2. Click Export. This can be found at the bottom of the right browsing panel or File -> Export (if you won't need to check or change output settings, use File -> Export with Preset and skip to step 4).
3. Now you can set destination, file names, output quality, etc based off presets, but also edit the presets too. Unless you right click and update a preset, all changes are temporary. Click "Export" to start.
4. In the top right, a progress bar starts, with thumbnails of the file being processed.

Photoshop Elements
No instructions yet, but I will post if I find some. Version 5 and below don't have any batch processing, only 6 and up.

[tim]

Originally Posted by St1ll

Guys i've got a question for you; I have a + 4 sharpening setting on the camera; is it only working for jpgs or it works on raws though?

This is not a question thread, it's an FAQ, please start a thread with any questions you have.

[bond007]

what about adobe elements 5.0, do not see A FUNCTION THERE. It can read the RAW file just does not convert it into a non RAW file

[tim]

Originally Posted by bond007

what about adobe elements 5.0, do not see A FUNCTION THERE. It can read the RAW file just does not convert it into a non RAW file

No idea, i've never used it. We need people to contribute to the FAQ.

[René Damkot]

Originally Posted by blinded

Digital Photo Professional (instructions based off v3.4.1.1)
1. Select the thumbnails of photos to batch process with shift or control keys.
2. File -> Batch Process

I'd insert a step 1a: You can change a few settings on all files you selected here (say all are underexposed 1/2 a stop): Just hit Cmd+T to bring up the Tool Palette.

[blinded]

Originally Posted by René Damkot

I'd insert a step 1a: You can change a few settings on all files you selected here (say all are underexposed 1/2 a stop): Just hit Cmd+T to bring up the Tool Palette.

I'm not saying that. I'm just talking about batch processing. Sorry. I only mention something when it directly has to do with output. I'm assuming anyways that all the tweaking for each image is already done you just want a format other than RAW to work with.