Adobe Delivers Easy Access and Control of Raw Digital Camera Files With New Photoshop Plug-in

Business Wire, Feb 19, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 19, 2003

Photoshop Camera Raw Plug-in Supports Digital Cameras

and Uncompressed Formats From Leading Manufacturers;

New JPEG 2000 Plug-in Also Available

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE), the leader in network publishing, today announced the immediate availability of Photoshop(R) Camera Raw and JPEG 2000 plug-ins. The Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in delivers lightning-fast, easy access -- within Photoshop -- to "raw" image formats in professional and mid-range digital cameras from Canon, Fujifilm, Minolta, Nikon and Olympus.

Available as a software add-on that works with Photoshop 7.0.1 software, the Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in allows photographers to directly manipulate the original data captured by a digital camera sensor, producing images with superior tonal range and the maximum amount of detail.

This uncompressed raw image, a "digital negative," is often preferred by professional photographers because of the precise control over tonal range and image detail it allows. Accessing the raw image before conversion into formats like JPEG and TIFF allows users to adjust the white balance, saturation and sharpness instead of leaving these decisions to the camera's automatic settings. Bundled with an additional plug-in that adds Photoshop support for the recently released JPEG 2000 format, the Photoshop Camera Raw software can be downloaded today from Adobe's web site.

"We fast-tracked the availability of this technology because customers told us they wanted to view and work with raw camera formats in Photoshop, the software that is crucial to their art and their business," said Bryan Lamkin, senior vice president of Digital Imaging and Video Products at Adobe Systems. "While we expect to build this functionality into future versions of Photoshop, we wanted to put it into customer hands as soon as possible."

With Digital SLR cameras replacing traditional film across professional photographic disciplines, photographers require a standardized way of accessing and working with uncompressed digital negatives. Using the Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in, adjustments can be made to the uncompressed file, including: white balance; temperature; tint; exposure; shadows; contrast; color saturation; sharpness; and smoothness.

The plug-in also provides the ability to preview raw files within Photoshop software's File Browser, and files can be imported directly into Photoshop in full quality, 16-bit-per-channel mode. For each supported camera, default and custom raw image settings are available and can be adjusted and saved between sessions. With the ability to apply settings across multiple files from the same photo shoot, the result is increased quality in the final image, less after-import manipulation, and greater efficiency in the workflow for the photographic or graphic professional.

"The coolest thing about the Photoshop Camera Raw plug-in is the white balance feature," said Jeff Schewe, award-winning advertising photographer, and one of just 65 photographers worldwide to be named a Canon Explorers of Light. "Now photographers can adjust their images in terms familiar to them, quickly and accurately. Also, the ability to see a preview of the sharpening and smoothing is great. Photographers will love the raw format capabilities in this new plug-in."

A complete list of camera models and proprietary raw formats supported is available at: www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/cameraraw.html.> Pricing and Availability

The Photoshop Camera Raw and JPEG 2000 plug-ins are available together, as a single download, from www.adobe.com/store/products/master.jhtml?id=catPhotoshop for US$99. The software is also available, in English only, on Adobe's worldwide web sites today. The plug-ins will work with non-English language versions of Photoshop 7.0.1. Japanese versions of the plug-ins are expected to be available in the spring of 2003, and will be sold direct from www.adobe.co.jp.

About Adobe Systems Incorporated

Founded in 1982, Adobe Systems Incorporated (www.adobe.com), the leader in network publishing, offers a comprehensive line of software for enterprise and creative professional customers. Its products enable customers to create, manage and deliver visually rich, compelling and reliable content. Based in San Jose, Calif., Adobe is one of the world's largest software companies.

Adobe, the Adobe logo, and Photoshop are either registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.