Lightroom supports the following image file
formats:
Camera raw formats
Camera raw file formats
contain unprocessed data from a digital camera’s sensor. Most camera
manufacturers save image data in a proprietary camera format. Lightroom
reads the data from most cameras and processes it into a full-color photo.
You use the controls in the Develop module to process and interpret
the raw image data for your photo.
For a list of supported
cameras and camera raw formats, see www.adobe.com/go/learn_ps_cameraraw.
Digital Negative format (DNG)
The Digital
Negative (DNG) is a publicly available archival format for raw files generated
by digital cameras. DNG addresses the lack of an open standard for
the raw files created by individual camera models, helping ensure
that photographers will be able to access their files in the future.
You can convert proprietary raw files to DNG from within Lightroom.
For more information about the Digital Negative (DNG) file format,
visit www.adobe.com/dng.
You’ll find comprehensive information and a link to a user forum.
TIFF format
Tagged-Image File Format (TIFF,
TIF) is used to exchange files between applications and computer
platforms. TIFF is a flexible bitmap image format supported by virtually
all paint, image-editing, and page-layout applications. Also, virtually all
desktop scanners can produce TIFF images. Lightroom supports large documents
saved in TIFF format (up to 65,000 pixels per side). However, most other
applications, including older versions of Photoshop (pre-Photoshop CS), do
not support documents with file sizes greater than 2 GB.
The
TIFF format provides greater compression and industry compatibility
than Photoshop format (PSD), and is the recommended format for exchanging
files between Lightroom and Photoshop. In Lightroom, you can export
TIFF image files with a bit depth of 8 bits or 16 bits
per channel.
JPEG format
Joint Photographic Experts
Group (JPEG) format is commonly used to display photographs and
other continuous-tone images in web photo galleries, slide shows,
presentations, and other online services. JPEG retains all color
information in an RGB image but compresses file size by selectively
discarding data. A JPEG image is automatically decompressed when
opened. In most cases, the Best Quality setting produces a result
indistinguishable from the original.
Photoshop format (PSD)
Photoshop format
(PSD) is the standard Photoshop file format. To import and work
with a multi-layered PSD file in Lightroom, the file must be saved
in Photoshop with the Maximize PSD and PSB File Compatibility preference
turned on. You’ll find the option in the Photoshop file handling
preferences. Lightroom saves PSD files with a bit depth of 8 bits
or 16 bits per channel.
CMYK files
Lightroom imports CMYK files
but adjustments and output are performed in the RGB color space.
Video files
Lightroom imports AVI, MOV,
and MP4 digital video files from digital still cameras. For more
information, see Work with video in Lightroom.
File format exceptions
Lightroom does
not support the following types of files: 32-bit images; PNG; Adobe Illustrator®;
Nikon scanner NEF; files with dimensions greater than 65,000 pixels
per side or larger than 512 megapixels.
Note: To import photos
from a scanner, use your scanner’s software to scan to TIFF or DNG
format, and then import those files into Lightroom.
If you have trouble opening camera raw files in
Lightroom, see 