Is It Me? Or Is RAW File Conversion Confusing for G1 Users?

I am actually so confussed on RAW, I don't know where to start. Let's just start with what I have software and hardware wise:

Paint Shop Pro 8
ZoomBrowser EX 4.5.1a
Current Camera trying to work with is a G1 and I havn't even started with the Digital Rebel yet for RAW file usage.
My PC is running XP Pro.

Now, I have read all the manuals (which are not good at all in relation with how and what to do with RAW files). So I have spent all my free time looking on this site and anywhere else my Yahoo Search took me and for the last 3 days trying to figure out what I need to do to be able to work with the RAW file or even a file converted to a Tiff file. So I will make my assumptions/questions below and number them for ease of responding to:

1.) I have been able to shoot pictures in RAW format and have downloaded onto my computer hardrive. I beleive there are two files associated with each picture. One files extension was .CRW and the other name escapes me because I am at work trying to remember this. Now should I have tried to convert the files during the download of the RAW files?

2.) When in the Zoombrowser, I try opening the .CRW file but only get a error message. So my question is, can Zoombrowser open the .CRW file and then I can save it to a Tiff file? Or is it quircky because of the G1 process of the RAW file?

3.) I went onto Canons Power Shot Site and there is a updates for various softwares and drivers. There is a little statement in the page stating "* For PowerShot S40, S30, G2, G2 Black, Pro 90 IS and G1 users interested in the older software, RAW Image Converter v2.0.2:
Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP users please click here".
So does this mean Zoombrowser can't convert or read RAW file format from the specified cameras?

4.) I use PSP 8 Software and I had no luck there either. I can see the file in the open dialog box but I get an error trying to open the .CRW file.

5.) I am aware there is other softwares out there that CAN convert to RAW to Tiff files (like Breeze Browser) but I would like to try to use something I already own.

I know there's a lot here so if you want just address them by a given question number, a little help can go a long way. I hope somone can help me because I am lost.

1. CRW is the raw file the other file THM is just a thumbnail file.

2. Not ever owning a G1 I don't know the version of ZoomBrowser you have but would suggest updating it if at all possible. I beleive I read at http://www.canon.co.jp​/Imaging/BeBit-e.html versions of ZB having problems with CRW conversion. I also read that with the first G3 (which is what I own) a firmware update was required to make ZB work correctly with CRW. You might want to check out the bebit site.

3. Now ZB will convert CRW for me to jpg or tiff, however I highly recommend you invest in BreezeBrowser

4. Though PSP will read basic RAW files camera manufactures change the formats to suit themselves. PSP will not read CRW format files and Photoshop needs a plugin to do it. PSP will read Tiff format and Jpg without problem.

Hope this will help you at least get started on getting it fixed.

Joe

I switched from ZoomBrowser to BreezeBrowser (http://www.breezesys.c​om) and never had any problems since then.

Use FVU

What you should do is install the RAW Image Converter off the original CD, then go to http://www.powershot.c​om …shot2/customer/​fvu-e.html and download the File Viewer Utility. The RAW image Converter software has been replaced by the FVU (much better and easier to use).

You should probably also know be able to open the RAW image from ZB 4.5.

Good luck!

I use PSP 8.10 also and I don't think it has the ability to open RAW files directly. If it does, I haven't figured it out yet. Bummer.

I use ZB to convert the RAW file to a .TIFF file or FVU or Irfanview - http://www.irfanview.c​om.
Irfanview is a free program and quite nice and fully functional. It's been around a long time.

To all,

Thanks so much so far and I can see this is all not very straight forward until you go thru the total process. Now, I did download Irfanview where the .CRW Files can be recognized. Now when I open the "RAW" (.CRW) file (which is a 2.5 meg file), the picture looks all grainy and even the window size it opens it to is quite small (1/4 of the screen opposed to opening a jpeg where it is so large I have to zoom out). I then tried a "Save As" to a .TIF. The .TIF files quality looks the same when also viewed but the size of the file when converted went to about 900k and looks just as bad. There has to be something I am missing here.

And again, thanks for everyones help thus far and I can't wait to see if someone can point me in a direction from the point of where I am right now. Is there a site that explains the process in general? I have done searches but I seem to be going down paths with dead ends.

That's very strange because when I open a 3 meg CRW-file in Irfanview and save it as TIFF the result is a 11 meg file. What happens when you use the Ctrl+H command in Irfanview, it should show the CRW-file in the original size (larger then your screen).

BJClarke001

Irfanview works OK for CRW files on my system.

In order for IrfanView to handle Canon CRW files it needs the CRW Plugin installed - part of the PlugIn Pack.

It also requires additional Canon dlls installed - information is in the i_plugins.txt file.

Hope this helps

Geoff

Canon ZoomBrowser, Raw Image Converter or BreezeBrowser

Check my previous post:
http://www.dpreview.co​m …orum=1010&messa​ge=3621836

Greetings,
Roumen

To all,

Thanks again for your info. and guidence. I think maybe I will start over and maybe use the Digital Rebel (my wifes) to practice this with. I am wondering if I am going through all the right motions but there may be something unique with the G1 that is giving me a problem/s. When I get to this point, I will post my findings here. I am really interested in the RAW format to see what all the hype is but have not got to that point yet. So my plan is to start over and go from there. Thanks again and see you soon.