Open a jpg in RAW format

In Elements 8, how can a jpg file be opened in RAW format?
I know it remains jpg quality, but I like some of the tools available in RAW.

Thanks

You can't, they are two completely different animals. RAW can be converted to JPEG, either in camera or by post software, but you can't go the other way.

Having said that, it is possible to open a JPEG file in Adobe ACR which will give you the tools used on RAW files, but the file you open will still be a JPEG file.

I'm familiar with the differences, just need to know how to simply open a jpg in RAW window, to make use of some of the RAW tools.
I'm actually asking for a friend who uses PE8.
I use CS4 and LR, but seldom shoot in jpg.

File > Open As > Raw

trailguy wrote in post #10535111
I'm familiar with the differences, just need to know how to simply open a jpg in RAW window, to make use of some of the RAW tools.
I'm actually asking for a friend who uses PE8.
I use CS4 and LR, but seldom shoot in jpg.

The reason you can't is because in the jpg file the information is gone to be able to use those RAW tools. With a RAW file the information is still there and that's why the tools are available. The main thing is that the information those RAW tools work with are not there in a jpg so they can't do anything.

We got thrown by your wording. You can not open a jprg in raw FORMAT. That is the same as saying you want to seperate the ingredients back out of a loaf of bread.

What you mean is "How to open a jpeg in ACR?" Adobe Camera Raw. Tha is exactly as mentioned above. .... File, Open As, --find your file you want to open--...Camera Raw

You can also open camera RAW preferences and set it to always open jpegs if you load then in PS.

I don't have Elements 8, but I may be able to contribute:

First, in CSx to open a jpeg in Camera Raw you can take different approaches using Bridge. You can right-click on the picture and select Open in Camera Raw or you can choose File/Open in Camera Raw or, as has been said also, use the Edit/Camera Raw Preferences and choose the option to always open jpegs in Camera Raw.

Now, the question: I'm not sure if Elements handles all those options in the Elements Organizer. Try these and see if they or one of these works.

Now for the question of jpegs and Raw processers, ACR (and Lightroom) handle jpegs and tiff very much the same but with some restrictions and different under-the-hood activities.

The jpeg has been processed already, so doesn't require the initial demosaicing and rasterizing that a Raw file does, but despite all that all the Raw development tools are available (unlike, say, DPP). What you will see, though, is less latitude in a few ways: White Balance has been written into the jpeg and can't be reversed (it will have a slider with less latitude), you won't be able to undo highlight clipping, contrast has been set in a "destructive" way that may have clipped highlights and shadows, sharpening and noise reduction have also been set in a "destructive" way that may have wiped detail or caused artifacts that you can't undo, and because of the conversion to 8 bits you will have less latitude in different adjustments before problems set in. But you can still do a lot with a jpeg, just get a feel of things.