[Kde-imaging] [Bug 92783] New: Usabilitiy of RAW file support

[Thorsten Schnebeck]

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http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=92783        
           Summary: Usabilitiy of RAW file support
           Product: kipiplugins
           Version: unspecified
          Platform: Compiled Sources
        OS/Version: Linux
            Status: UNCONFIRMED
          Severity: wishlist
          Priority: NOR
         Component: general
        AssignedTo: kde-imaging kde org
        ReportedBy: thorsten.schnebeck gmx net


Version:            (using KDE KDE 3.3.1)
Installed from:    Compiled From Sources

This ist about RAWfile support of digiKam. I *think* this is done by the corresponding kipiplugin(?)

Single RAW file support:
========================

RAW file support in digiKam is nice but not very usable. The interface gives the user control of dcraw parameter and can calculate a visual feedback. But the way to do this basicly right shows the new interface of the rawphoto plugin for GIMP

http://ptj.rozeta.com.pl/Soft/RawPhoto

Parameter and histogram give the better, the necessary  feedback to the users than the simple visual feedback. Please copy this interface for digiKam.

Batch RAW file support:
=======================

RAW files need a per picture setting. So there is normally no reason for batch processing. But as written in
http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=90875
many RAW file formats (Canon and Nikon for sure) have an embedded Jpeg. This Jpeg is not a simple thumbnail but a full developed and usable image. 

Meanwile we have created an extractor for embedded Jpegs that you can get here:
http://forum.ebv4linux.de/files/rawext.tar.gz
README so far is in German only but here is the short version:
rawext RAWfile.crw JPGFile.jpg
extracts the Jpeg embedded in RAWfile.crw and saves it as JPGFile.jpg. Program is tested for Canon RAW files but should also work with other formats.

So, what is the normal workflow:
- Take the photos in RAW format with Jpeg embedded
- download the photos digiKam. As preview digiKam only needs to show the embedded Jpeg - there is no need to use the time expensive dcraw!
- Than you review your photos upon these Jpegs.
- if Jpegs are fine there is often no need to use the time consuming RAW develop process. So take the Jpegs, drop the RAW
- if Jpegs shows problems (too dark/too light) you don't want the Jpeg but this time the RAW. And then you use the single RAW file converter to optimize this photo.

Ok, I know its a long text. So whats the matter? :-)

- Digikam needs a better single RAW file converter GUI
- Digikam needs to handle with in RAW file embedded Jpegs (#90875)
- Digikams batch RAW-file converter should have an option not to process dcraw with constant parameters but to extract the embedded Jpeg via e.g. rawext.

This is no demand but a whish :-)

Thanks for your patience

  Thorsten