File Formats

RAW formats

RAW files are decoded with rawler, the decoding library of the dnglab project, in a version maintained for RapidRAW. On macOS you can alternatively use Apple's own RAW engine (Settings → Apple RAW 9 Engine).

Manufacturer	Extensions
Adobe DNG	`.dng` (also DJI, Leica, Ricoh, Pentax, phones and others that save DNG)
Apple	`.dng` (ProRAW), `.pro`
ARRI	`.ari`
Canon	`.crw`, `.cr2`, `.cr3`
Casio	`.bay`
Epson	`.erf`
Fujifilm	`.raf`
Hasselblad	`.3fr`, `.fff`
Kodak	`.kdc`, `.k25`, `.dcs`, `.dcr`
Leaf	`.mos`
Leica	`.rwl` (newer models use `.dng`)
Mamiya	`.mef`
Minolta	`.mrw`
Nikon	`.nef`, `.nrw`
Olympus / OM System	`.orf`
Panasonic	`.rw2`, `.raw`
Pentax	`.pef`, `.ptx`
Phase One	`.iiq`
Samsung	`.srw`
Sigma	`.x3f`
Sony	`.arw`, `.srf`, `.sr2`

A supported extension does not guarantee every camera model is supported. See the camera list for tested models.

For RAW files, RapidRAW automatically:

uses the camera's color matrices, blended between the two calibration illuminants for the white balance you shot with,
smoothly compresses very saturated colors the camera recorded outside the working color space, instead of clipping them,
reconstructs clipped highlights from the channels that still have data,
compensates highlight-preserving camera modes (Fujifilm DR, Canon HTP and others, can be turned off).

If a RAW file cannot be decoded, RapidRAW shows the JPEG preview embedded in the file instead, so you can still view it. See File Issues.

My camera isn't supported

RAW support comes from the dnglab project. To get a camera added:

Read the RAW sample guidelines and upload a complete CC0 sample set to RawDB. Samples shared on Google Drive and similar can't be used.
Open an issue at dnglab with the link.
Once support is added there, open an issue at RapidRAW so it's included in the next release.

Until then, Adobe DNG Converter (free) can convert your files to DNG, which RapidRAW opens.

Lens profiles

Lens corrections come from Lensfun, a separate project. Missing lenses have to be added there.

Standard formats

Type	Extensions
Common	`.jpg`, `.jpeg`, `.png`, `.gif`, `.bmp`, `.tif`, `.tiff`, `.webp`, `.jxl`
HDR	`.exr`, `.hdr`
Other	`.tga`, `.ico`, `.dds`, `.qoi`, `.ff` (farbfeld), `.pnm`, `.pbm`, `.pgm`, `.ppm`, `.pam`

HEIC and AVIF files cannot be opened.

All adjustments work on JPEG and other standard files, but there is much less room for recovery than with RAW: highlights that are white in a JPEG cannot be brought back.

Export formats

Format	Settings	Notes
JPEG	Quality 1–100	sRGB profile embedded.
PNG	lossless, 8 or 16-bit	sRGB profile embedded.
TIFF	8 or 16-bit, uncompressed	Best for printing and editing elsewhere.
WebP	Quality 1–100	Smaller than JPEG.
JPEG XL	Quality 1–100, 100 = lossless	Best quality per byte.
AVIF	fixed quality	Very small files.
CUBE LUT	33-point 3D LUT	Your global color and tone edit as a LUT for video apps.

Metadata (camera data, author fields, rating, label, tags) is written into JPEG, PNG and WebP. See Export for all options.

Sidecar files

File	What it is
`.rrdata`	Your edits for a photo: adjustments, masks, crop, rating, flag, color label and tags, as JSON. Named after the full file name, e.g. `DSC04512.ARW.rrdata`. Created when you first change something; removed again if everything is back to default. For HDR, panorama and focus-stack results it also stores the camera data of the source photos.
`<name>.<id>.rrdata`	A virtual copy, e.g. `DSC04512.ARW.3f9a1c.rrdata`.
`.xmp`	Rating, label and tags for other apps (when XMP sync is on). Named without the original extension, e.g. `DSC04512.xmp`.
`.rrexif`	Old versions of RapidRAW stored camera data of merged images in this file. RapidRAW now reads such files once, moves the data into its cache, and deletes them.
`.rrpreset`	Not a sidecar: a preset file you export from the Presets panel. Contains one or more presets and folders.

Back up .rrdata files together with your photos. Most backup and sync tools copy them automatically. If yours skips unknown file types, add *.rrdata.

XMP sync

With Settings → General → XMP Metadata Sync on (default):

RapidRAW writes rating, color label and tags to the photo's .xmp file. Rejected photos get rating −1.
It reads the same fields from .xmp files written by Lightroom, Bridge, darktable, Capture One and others.
By default it only updates .xmp files that already exist. Turn on Create Missing XMP Files to create them for every photo you rate.
Develop settings from other apps (exposure, curves and so on) are not imported. To bring over a Lightroom look, import the Lightroom preset in the Presets panel.

File associations

On Windows and macOS the installer registers RapidRAW for all RAW formats and for JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, EXR and QOI. Double-click such a file to open it in RapidRAW, or use "Open with".