RAW File Formats
Raster Image Formats or Audio Formats
RAW data format is used to identify unprocessed audio or graphic media. This format allows avoiding loss of data and it stores uncompressed, lossless or lossy compressed signals from the device it was taken with.
RAW Image Data File
.raw (Raw Image Data File)
Convert raw to jpg
Convert raw to png
Convert raw to svg
RAW image format is a common name for a family of related file extensions. The most general file extension of this family is RAW. RAW files are typically ones that are not processed, not compressed and therefore not ready for being edited with graphics redactor or to be printed.
RAW files can be described as “digital negatives”. The data containing in RAW file is coming from the image sensor of a motion picture film scanner or a digital camera. Pictures taken in RAW cannot be used as normal, familiar to everyone images, but the data those files contain has every bit of information to “develop” an actual image.
RAW format is beneficial for storing taken images in way better quality than JPEG files can offer. RAW file format supports more shades of color, higher potential of editing and saves more data. The possible drawbacks is that RAW files weight more than processed JPEG files and there would be lots of time needed to edit a RAW image to desired one.
The structure of RAW files follows a certain pattern. Within a RAW file's data can be found: a file header, a file identifier, camera sensor metadata, image metadata, an image thumbnail, a full-size JPEG conversion of the image, sometimes time code or frame code and the sensor image data.
To make a RAW file appropriate for printing or editing, accurate adjustments should be made using a RAW converter. After that procedure RAW files are ready to be stored and to be manipulated by any means.
A huge diversity of digital devices acquiring the ability to take pictures caused the creation of an enormous quantity of different RAW image extensions. Most of RAW file formats are based on TIFF file format but there is a possibility of deviation from TIFF standards.
Aside from the most common RAW file extension here are some of the other RAW image format extensions used by digital cameras: .NEF (Nikon), .RW2 (Panasonic), .ERF (Epson), .KDC (Kodak) and .SRF (Sony). Adobe also has its own digital negative extension – .DNG, which, nonetheless, is compatible with TIFF. Every file extension listed above is device-specific and should be converted to TIFF or JPEG to properly work with it.
How to Open and Edit RAW Files
There is a huge choice of software capable of handling RAW files. Starting with paid software like Photoshop, Aftershot and Corel PaintShop Pro, free RAW file viewers like Microsoft Windows Photos, Able RAWer, GIMP and RawTherapee, and ending with applications allowing the user to open and edit RAW files online.
There is also a proprietary software which usually comes with a bought camera and is used to open RAW images of a device-specific RAW format.
If those programs didn't help to open a RAW file, check the extension to make sure that this file is not a RAR one – those are easy to misread!
How to Convert RAW Image Files to Other Formats
To convert RAW files there is no online solution or any particular application, but most RAW file editors can be used successfully enough to be called RAW file converters. If RAW viewer has an option of File> Save as… in their menu, the user should be able to convert RAW file to any format (PNG, JPEG, SVG) of their choice.
RAW Audio Format
RAW audio is used for high-quality sampling, memory or ROM dumps and sample playback on embedded devices. RAW audio files contain binary data of an uncompressed audio without headers. RAW files store information such as sampling rate, resolution, number of channels or signedness.
Nowadays RAW audio files are not as common as they were once before due to existence of more popular and convenient, header-equipped audio formats such as WAV. Still the RAW audio format provides full quality while storing massive amounts of audio data.
How to Open RAW Audio Files
The best choice to open a RAW file is the free software Audacity which is also provides an option to edit a RAW file. VLC, Windows Media Player and Comboplayer are also capable of playing RAW audio files, but it might require converting the RAW file to WAV file first.
There are few RAW file players available online.
How to Convert Audio Files to Other Formats
RAW audio files can be converted using Audacity software by saving RAW files as a MP3, FLAC or OGG audio file. To do so one must pick File>Export Audio menu option. There are also RAW file converters to be found online.