Opening Camara Raw images, Help please!

samshal · 09-09-2009

Hi, I'm new at Photoshop and am having a bit of a problem. I'm using CS4 basically for photography, I need it to retouch pictures from camara raw format. I am able to open the picture, the preview screen opens up with the image, then I hit open image and I just get a black screen. I can see the original image in the history, channels, and layers tabs on the right, but the main screen, which is where I would be able to work with the picture, is black. If I go to Edit, Select all, then a blurry, pixel like image opens. No one else that I know of is having this issue, so no one is able to help. I'm taking photography classes and a photoshop for photographers class also, but no clue there either. I have Windows Vista if that helps.

**Tamlin** · 09-09-2009

Hmm...that's a puzzle. I've never heard of this problem before.

First of all, I'd check you have the most up to date versions of both CS4 and ACR. The latest version of PS CS4 is 11.0.1 and Camera Raw is 5.4

Secondly, try trashing your Photoshop preferences. This often fixes random weirdness in Photoshop. Here's some instructions:
Photoshop Tips - Reset Photoshop Preferences

If none of the above work, some more info could be helpful:
Have you ever been able to open Raw files, or has this always been a problem?
What make/model of camera are you using?
What bit-depth/colour space are you opening your Raw files in?

PS: Welcome to BioRUST!

samshal · 09-09-2009

HI Tamlin, thanks for your quick response. I did the reseting option, and it seems to have helped a bit, however my images are still distorsioned. They are full of lines, and it's not only camara raw images but also jpeg images, do you think it might have to do with my video card?

**supertackyman** · 09-09-2009

could it be your camera?

samshal · 09-09-2009

supertacky, I've tried uploading from images from different camaras, just images on my computer, and still the same. I think I'm going to uninstall photoshop and install it again and see what happens.

**Tamlin** · 09-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by samshal

do you think it might have to do with my video card?

It's a possibility - CS4 does have issues with some older video cards. What make of card do you have? Here is a list of display cards that have been tested with CS4:
List of tested graphics display cards for Photoshop CS4
But note that just because a card isn't in the list doesn't mean it's automatically incompatible.

Have you had this problem from the beginning, or is it a recent phenomenon? Have you tried opening your image files on a different machine or in a different application (just to make sure it's not down to corruption of your images, rather than a fault with Photoshop)?

**kokopedal** · 09-09-2009

Rather than going to photoshop, have you tried opening your images in adobe bridge? That is where you want to do most of your post editing anyway for raw.

**Tamlin** · 09-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokopedal

Rather than going to photoshop, have you tried opening your images in adobe bridge? That is where you want to do most of your post editing anyway for raw.

Um...are you sure about that? I don't think there are many image editing tools in Bridge. Lightroom, maybe.

**kokopedal** · 09-10-2009

Yes,I always start my post editing in bridge

**Tamlin** · 09-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokopedal

Yes,I always start my post editing in bridge

Really? So what is your typical workflow, from Raw file to finished product?

PS: Sorry to samshal - this thread seems to have sort of gone off-topic, but I'm curious.

samshal · 09-10-2009

It's ok, anything that might help is appreciated.
I downloaded the updates of the video card, but it's still the same. I don't know how you'd be able to edit in Bridge?
Forgot to add: I also uninstalled CS4 and reinstalled it, still the same.

**Tamlin** · 09-10-2009

What make/model of video card do you have?

samshal · 09-10-2009

I have an ATI Mobility Radeon X1400. I have Windows Vista with 2 GB Ram if that helps. I'm installing CS4 in another computer now to see if the problem is the program or my laptop.
Edited to add: Installed the program on another computer, I am able to work with everything, so obviously the problem is my laptop. The question now is.... WHAT????

**Tamlin** · 09-10-2009

I've done a bit of research. Apparently there are some "issues" around certain ATI video cards and the OpenGL Drawing feature in CS4. Some ATI cards, although nominally OpenGL compatible, seem to experience problems in CS4 if OpenGL Drawing is enabled.

If you currently have OpenGL Drawing enabled in CS4, try disabling it and see if that solves the problem.

The below-linked post relates to enabling OpenGL Drawing, but just do the reverse to disable it:
http://forums.biorust.com/adobe-phot...html#post57407 (Adobe Photoshop CS4 help)

samshal · 09-10-2009

Tamlin, where are you so I can give you a big big hug???????? Virtual hug for you!!!!!! did as you said with the OpenGL and it worked!!!!!!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!