Introduction to Camera Raw and importing camera raw files

You can import sequences of camera raw files much as you import sequences of other kinds of still image files.

After Effects applies the settings for the first camera raw image in the sequence to all of the images in the sequence that do not have their own XMP sidecar files. After Effects does not check the Camera Raw database for image settings.

Note: Camera raw files are uncompressed. Their large size may increase rendering time.

Choose File > Import > File.
Select the camera raw file, and click Open.
Make any necessary adjustments in the Camera Raw dialog box, and click OK.

You can adjust a camera raw image after importing it. To open the image in the Camera Raw dialog box, select the footage item in the Project panel, choose File > Interpret Footage > Main, and click More Options.

Note: You can’t assign an input color profile to a camera raw image for use in a color-managed project. For information on how colors are automatically interpreted, see Interpret a footage item by assigning an input color profile.

Todd Kopriva provides links to free excerpts from books about Camera Raw by Conrad Chavez, Bruce Fraser, Jeff Schewe, Ben Willmore, and Dan Ablan on his blog.