Expert: LizaL - 7/4/2006

Question
I would like to process raw files from my powershot G3 canon and currently have photoshop 5.0LE and another version 2.0 which came w/equip .  I understand there is a raw file processing utility (zoombrowser Ex cant moify raw but you can at least veiw them) available from canon which I am pursuing.  But with 5.0LE I cant even open the .CRW files since it is not a listed file format. I understand there is a raw plug-in for adobe photoshop that will accomplish this - is it worth getting, how to get, any free download info., any help appreciated. Also I would like to do a collage in PS but can't figure out how to open multiple pics and place them on a single layer, shink and fit, like I would simply in Powerpoint.  Any help would be appreciated.  

Answer
Hi Randy,

Bad news -- Photoshop 5.0LE will not process Camera Raw files. You're right, there are plug-ins (many) that will allow Photoshop to process Camera Raw, but you need Photoshop version 7, or greater.

Layers, on the other hand, were introduced in Photoshop version 3. So it's possible for you to do a collage.

What you'll want to do in order to create a collage is open all your pictures in Photoshop, and instead of placing them all in the same layer, put them on separate layers. At this point, you can do any kind of editing to the pictures individually -- for instance, cropping, color correction, feathering edges. Then move the pictures around until you achieve the collage you want.

At this point, save the file as a Photoshop file (.psd). This will allow you to go back and edit, if you wish -- in other words, this will serve as your backup copy. When you have the collage the way you want it, you can then use the Merge Down command (found when you click the little triangle on the upper right of the Layers palette) to compress the layers into one. (You can also use Merge Visible, or Flatten Image, but I've been told it's less destructive to the images if you Merge Down instead.)

I did a very rough little collage to give you an idea of what to do:

http://little-works.com/all_experts/collage.mov

(Might take a minute to load; it's about 5MB.)

That said, I'll tell you that your earlier version of Photoshop won't look the same as mine (i.e., the palettes, especially, and some of the wordage in the commands might not be exactly the same as mine), but those are the basic steps behind making a collage.


Back to Camera Raw --

If you're very serious about pursuing image editing with Photoshop, you couldn't go wrong to purchase at least Photoshop CS. There are numerous features you'll use and I'm sure you'll find it a worthwhile purchase, especially since you'd be able to take advantage of Camera RAW processing.

if you do decide to purchase a newer version of Photoshop that supports Raw, here are some links for information:

1. creativepro.com:
http://www.creativepro.com/story/review/19008.html

2. Luminous Landscape:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/software/camera-raw.shtml

3. A personal photography site:
http://www.sphoto.com/techinfo/rawconverters/pages/adobecameraraw.htm

4. Info from Adobe on Camera Raw:
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/cameraraw.html?camerarawnav

Hope this helps!

Lisa