Adding Camera Tethering to RapidRAW
How I integrated real-time camera control and why Windows users are out of luck.
A beautiful, non-destructive, and GPU-accelerated RAW image editor built with performance in mind.
Just 20 MB - lighter than a RAW image.
Recognized & Featured By
All image adjustments are processed on the GPU for instant, real-time feedback on your edits.
Create masks with AI subject, sky, and foreground detection. Combine with masks.
Manage your entire photo collection in one streamlined interface.
Save your favorite looks to apply them instantly to any photo.
All edits are stored in a sidecar file, leaving your original images completely untouched.
Save time by applying adjustments to batches of images simultaneously.
Remove objects or add new elements with text prompts, powered by an optional ComfyUI backend.
Full control over Tone Curves, HSL Color Mixer, Detail Enhancement, Effects, and more.
RapidRAW's AI is built for flexibility. Choose your ideal workflow:
Integrated directly into RapidRAW, these features run entirely on your computer. They are fast, free, and require no setup.
For users with a capable GPU who want maximum control, connect RapidRAW to your own local ComfyUI server.
For those who want a simpler solution, an optional subscription provides the same high-quality results without any hassle, and directly funds RapidRAW's development.
I've built a minimalistic, focused guide. From first setup to advanced masking, presets, and workflows, it’s all here.
How I integrated real-time camera control and why Windows users are out of luck.
How I rebuilt the UI layout system to let you edit photos directly from your library grid.
How I learned to stop passing props and implement Zustand.
A brief history by Timon Käch
As a photography enthusiast, I often found existing software to be sluggish and resource-heavy on my machine. I wanted a faster, simpler photo editing experience, so I decided to build my own. The goal was to create a tool that was not only fast but also helped me learn the details of digital image processing and camera technology.
I started developing this project as a personal challenge when I was 18. I set an ambitious goal to rapidly build a functional, feature-rich application from an empty folder. This challenge pushed me to learn quickly and focus intensely on the core architecture and user experience.
The foundation is built on Rust for its safety and performance, and Tauri for its ability to create lightweight desktop apps. The entire image processing pipeline is offloaded to the GPU via WGPU and a custom WGSL shader, ensuring that even on complex edits with multiple masks, the UI remains fluid.
Timon Käch
Developer & Photographer • Lucerne, CH
As a young developer balancing this project with an apprenticeship, your support means the world. If you find RapidRAW useful, please consider donating to help me dedicate more time to its development.
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