Overview

RAW Fine Tuning controls overview

You can modify how OS X decodes RAW files using the adjustment controls in the RAW Fine Tuning area of the Adjustments inspector or the Adjustments pane of the Inspector HUD. OS X characterizes the RAW file format for each digital camera supported by Aperture. This calibration data usually results in the optimal decoding of the RAW image files for a particular camera. However, certain types of images may require adjustments to how OS X decodes the RAW image file.

The RAW Fine Tuning controls include the following parameters:

  • Boost: Use the Boost and Hue Boost sliders and value sliders to control image contrast.

    For more information, see Use the Boost controls.

  • Sharpening: Use the Sharpening and Edges sliders and value sliders to fine-tune the amount of sharpening you want applied to images during the RAW decoding process.

    For more information, see Use the Sharpening controls.

  • Moire: Use the Moire and Radius sliders and value sliders to correct color fringing in high-contrast edges and the moire pattern effect found in images with subjects whose linear patterns introduce the effect, such as a brick wall or a picket fence.

    For more information, see Use the Moire controls.

    Figure. Controls in the RAW Fine Tuning area of the Adjustments inspector.

Note: Some controls in the RAW Fine Tuning area of the Adjustments inspector and the Adjustments pane of the Inspector HUD appear dimmed if these settings aren’t available for use with images derived from a particular RAW file format. Some camera models can create multiple types of RAW file formats, and different controls may be available for each of these RAW file formats.

Using these controls, you can fine-tune your RAW decoding settings on an image-by-image basis. Aperture also enables you to save your customized RAW decoding settings as effects or as the default settings always used with a specific camera, so that you can easily apply them to newly imported images. For more information, see Set the camera default.

If the RAW Fine Tuning controls don’t appear, the selected photo is from a previous version of Aperture. You must first reprocess the image using the most current RAW image processing. For more information, see Reprocess photos from earlier versions of Aperture. If you do not see the Reprocess button, the image may not be a RAW photo.

Figure. Dialog for reprocessing an image from a previous version of Aperture.