Introduction to DNG
RAW file formats are very popular in digital photography workflows these days because they offer digital photographers greater control of their photographs. But unfortunately digital cameras use very different formats of raw files, specifications of which are often not publicly available, that means that not all software applications can read these formats properly. Thats why processing of these files, archival and storage could lead to difficulties in usability, increase in processing cost, and more complex workflows.
Adobe introduced its solution in this situation. It is called the Digital Negative (DNG), a publicly available archival format for the raw files generated by digital cameras. Using DNG ensures photographers ability to use their files in the future.
In addition to Digital Negative specifications Adobe provides free Adobe DNG Converter which easily converts raw files from many of today’s popular cameras to DNG format. Adobe DNG Converter supports lossless data compression when converting.
Key benefits for photographers:
- The DNG format helps promote archival confidence, since digital-imaging software solutions will be able to open your raw files more easily in the future.
- A single raw processing solution enables a more efficient workflow when handling raw files from multiple camera models and manufacturers.
- A publicly documented and readily available specification can be easily adopted by camera manufacturers and updated to accommodate future technological changes.
Key benefits for hardware and software manufacturers:
- DNG removes a potential barrier to new camera adoption, since raw files from new models will be instantly supported by Photoshop and other applications.
- The DNG format allows for R&D savings by eliminating the need to develop new formats and simplifying camera testing.
- A common format allows for greater control over the quality of conversions by third-party applications.
- The specification allows for the addition of private metadata to DNG files, enabling differentiation.
Digital cameras that supports DNG
Hasselblad, Leica, Pentax, Ricoh, Samsung and others have included support of DNG files in some of their cameras since the announcement of DNG format.
Other software that supports DNG
Besides Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom, several other software programs provide read and sometimes write support for DNG files including: GIMP, FuturixImager, ImageMagick, ExifTool.
Larger list of software that supports DNG format you could find at Adobe - Digital Negative (DNG): Supporters.
October 4th, 2007 at 3:23 am
[...] you have read my previous article about DNG format, you may hay decided to convert your photos to Digital Negative format. So how can you do it in [...]