RawTherapee Migration Guide - From Adobe Camera RAW
Version: 1.0 Created: 2026-05-05 Objective: Seamless transition from Adobe Camera RAW to RawTherapee Platform: RawTherapee 5.9+ (Linux, Windows, macOS)
Introduction
RawTherapee is an open-source, professional-grade RAW photo editor that serves as an excellent alternative to Adobe Camera RAW. It's completely free, highly powerful, and requires no subscription.
Why Choose RawTherapee?
Free and Open Source - No subscription, no license fees Professional Tools - Advanced color management, local corrections, HDR Complete RAW Processing - Supports all major camera RAW formats Non-destructive Workflow - Original files remain untouched Batch Processing - Mass processing with sidecar files Cross-platform - Linux, Windows, macOS No Vendor Lock-in - Open formats, exportable settings
1. Installation and Initial Setup
Linux (Fedora/RHEL)
# DNF installation
sudo dnf install rawtherapee
# Flatpak installation (newer version)
flatpak install flathub com.rawtherapee.RawTherapee
# Launch
rawtherapee
Windows
1. Download: https://www.rawtherapee.com/downloads
2. Run installer (rawtherapee-5.9-win64.exe)
3. Select installation directory
4. Create Start Menu shortcut
macOS
# Homebrew installation
brew install --cask rawtherapee
# Or download: https://www.rawtherapee.com/downloads
# Install DMG file
First Launch - Preferences
Preferences (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P)
1. General Tab
- Language: English
- Working Color Space: ProPhoto RGB (recommended for RAW)
- Theme: RawTherapee 5 (Dark) or GTK+
2. Color Management Tab
- Monitor Profile:
- If calibrated: Select ICC profile
- If not: sRGB IEC61966-2.1 (default)
- Output Profile (for export):
- Web: sRGB
- Print: Adobe RGB (1998)
- Professional: ProPhoto RGB
3. Image Processing Tab
4. File Browser Tab
- Thumbnail size: 200-250 px (preference)
- Show only supported formats: Enable
- Filmstrip: Enable (quick navigation)
2. Interface Overview - Camera RAW vs RawTherapee
Interface Comparison
| Interface Area | Adobe Camera RAW | RawTherapee |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Histogram + Tools Panel | Menu Bar (File, Edit, Image, Batch, Tools, Help) |
| Left Panel | - (not present) | File Browser + Thumbnails |
| Center | Main Image Preview | Main Image Preview + Histogram |
| Right Panel | - (tools embedded top) | Tool Tabs: Exposure, Detail, Color, Transform, Raw, Metadata |
| Bottom | Toolbar (Basic/Details/etc.) | - (not present) |
Key Differences: - Left Panel: File Browser - absent in Camera RAW - Center Area: Large image preview + Histogram + Tools - Right Panel: Editing tools organized by tabs
3. Basic Workflow - Step by Step
Workflow 1: Simple RAW Processing
Step 1: Opening RAW Files
1. File Browser (left side) → Navigate to RAW files directory
2. Click thumbnail → Image loads
3. Or: File → Open Image (Ctrl+O)
TIP: Use filmstrip (bottom) for quick switching between images.
Step 2: Basic Exposure Correction
Camera RAW Mapping:
| Adobe Camera RAW | RawTherapee | Tab |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure | Exposure Compensation | Exposure |
| Contrast | Contrast | Exposure |
| Highlights | Highlights | Exposure → Tone Mapping |
| Shadows | Shadows | Exposure → Shadows/Highlights |
| Whites | - | - |
| Blacks | Black | Exposure |
RawTherapee Exposure Tab:
Exposure → Exposure
Exposure Compensation: -2.0 to +5.0 EV (brightness)
Contrast: -100 to +100 (contrast)
Saturation: -100 to +100 (saturation)
Black: 0 to 65535 (black point)
Highlight Compression: 0-500 (save overexposed)
Exposure → Tone Mapping (Advanced)
Highlights: -100 to +100
Shadows: -100 to +100
Local Contrast: 0 to 100
Tone Curve: Linear, Film-like, etc.
Exercise 3.1: Fixing Underexposed Image
1. Open a dark RAW image
2. Exposure Tab → Exposure Compensation: +1.5 EV
3. Shadows/Highlights → Shadows: +50 (recover details)
4. Highlights: -20 (save sky)
5. Contrast: +10 (increase dynamics)
Step 3: White Balance
Camera RAW Mapping:
| Adobe Camera RAW | RawTherapee | Tab |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Temperature | Color → White Balance |
| Tint | Tint (Green/Magenta) | Color → White Balance |
| WB Presets (Daylight, etc.) | Method dropdown | Color → White Balance |
RawTherapee White Balance:
Color Tab → White Balance
Method:
Camera (camera setting)
Auto (automatic)
Daylight (5500K)
Cloudy (6500K)
Shade (7500K)
Tungsten (2850K)
Fluorescent (4000K)
Custom
Temperature: 2000K - 12000K (warm/cool)
Tint (Green <-> Magenta): -150 to +150
Exercise 3.2: Warm Sunset Mood
1. Color → White Balance
2. Method: Custom
3. Temperature: 6500K (slightly warm)
4. Tint: -10 (toward magenta)
5. Saturation: +15 (enhance colors)
Eyedropper Tool:
1. White Balance → Click Eyedropper icon
2. Click neutral gray area in image
3. RawTherapee auto-adjusts WB
Step 4: Sharpening and Detail
Camera RAW Mapping:
| Adobe Camera RAW | RawTherapee | Tab |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpening Amount | Amount | Detail → Sharpening |
| Radius | Radius | Detail → Sharpening |
| Detail | - | - |
| Masking | - | (Edge detection instead) |
| Noise Reduction Luminance | Luminance | Detail → Noise Reduction |
| Noise Reduction Color | Chrominance | Detail → Noise Reduction |
RawTherapee Sharpening:
Detail Tab → Sharpening
Sharpening Method:
Unsharp Mask (USM) - classic
RL Deconvolution - professional
Contrast by Detail Levels - detail-rich
Amount: 0-300 (strength)
Radius: 0.5-2.5 (scope)
Threshold: 0-2000 (edge detection)
Only Edges: Enable (sharpen edges only)
Exercise 3.3: Portrait Sharpening
1. Detail → Sharpening
2. Method: Unsharp Mask
3. Amount: 80
4. Radius: 0.8
5. Threshold: 20 (smooth skin)
6. Only Edges: Disable
Exercise 3.4: Landscape Sharpening
1. Detail → Sharpening
2. Method: RL Deconvolution
3. Iterations: 30
4. Damping: 0
5. Detail → Microcontrast: +20 (enhance details)
Step 5: Noise Reduction
Detail Tab → Noise Reduction
Luminance (brightness noise):
Luminance: 0-100 (strength)
Detail Recovery: 0-100 (preserve details)
Luminance Detail: 0-100
Chrominance (color noise):
Chrominance Master: 0-100
Red-Green: 0-100
Blue-Yellow: 0-100
Exercise 3.5: High ISO Noise Handling
1. Detail → Noise Reduction
2. Luminance: 40
3. Detail Recovery: 50 (avoid plastic look)
4. Chrominance Master: 60
5. Check: 100% zoom (Ctrl+1)
4. Advanced Color Management
Vibrance and Saturation
Camera RAW Mapping:
| Adobe Camera RAW | RawTherapee | Tab |
|---|---|---|
| Vibrance | - | (Saturation + Lab Adjustments) |
| Saturation | Saturation | Exposure Tab |
RawTherapee Approach:
Exposure Tab → Saturation: -100 to +100 (global saturation)
Color Tab → Vibrance
Pastels Saturation: -100 to +100 (pale colors)
Saturated Saturation: -100 to +100 (saturated colors)
Threshold: 0-100 (boundary)
Exercise 4.1: Natural Color Enhancement
1. Exposure → Saturation: +10
2. Color → Vibrance → Pastels Saturation: +30
3. Saturated Saturation: -10 (avoid over-saturation)
HSV / HSL Color Curve (Hue/Saturation/Value)
Camera RAW Mapping:
| Adobe Camera RAW | RawTherapee | Tab |
|---|---|---|
| HSL Panel (Hue/Sat/Lum) | HSV Equalizer | Color → HSV Equalizer |
RawTherapee HSV Equalizer:
Color Tab → HSV Equalizer
Hue:
- Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue, Magenta, Purple
- Shift hue: -180 to +180°
Saturation:
- Per-channel saturation: -100 to +100
Value (Brightness):
- Per-channel brightness: -100 to +100
Exercise 4.2: Blue Sky Enhancement
1. Color → HSV Equalizer
2. H (Hue) → Blue channel: +5 (deeper blue)
3. S (Saturation) → Blue channel: +20
4. V (Value) → Blue channel: -10 (darker)
Exercise 4.3: Skin Tone Correction (Portrait)
1. Color → HSV Equalizer
2. H → Orange channel: -5 (more natural skin)
3. S → Orange channel: -10 (reduce over-saturation)
4. V → Orange channel: +5 (brighter skin)
Lab Adjustments (Professional Color Control)
RawTherapee unique feature - no direct Camera RAW equivalent.
Color Tab → Lab Adjustments
Lightness (L): -100 to +100 (brightness)
a (Green-Red): -100 to +100
b (Blue-Yellow): -100 to +100
Chromaticity: -100 to +100 (color saturation)
Lightness Curve (tone curve for brightness)
Exercise 4.4: Cinematic Color Grading
1. Color → Lab Adjustments
2. a (Green-Red): +10 (warmer tint)
3. b (Blue-Yellow): -5 (slight blue shift)
4. Lightness Curve: Draw S-curve (contrast)
5. Exposure → Saturation: -10 (film look)
5. Local Corrections
Camera RAW Mapping:
| Adobe Camera RAW | RawTherapee | Tab |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustment Brush | - | (No native support) |
| Graduated Filter | Graduated Filter | Transform → Graduated Filter |
| Radial Filter | - | (Workaround: GIMP combo) |
RawTherapee Graduated Filter
Transform Tab → Graduated Filter
Strength: -2.0 to +2.0 EV (brightness change)
Feather: 0-100 (transition smoothing)
Angle: 0-360° (filter direction)
Center X/Y: 0-100% (position)
Exercise 5.1: Darken Sky
1. Transform → Graduated Filter
2. Strength: -0.8 EV
3. Angle: 0° (top to bottom)
4. Feather: 60 (soft transition)
5. Center Y: 70% (cover sky)
Workaround: GIMP + RawTherapee Workflow
For local corrections:
1. RawTherapee: RAW basic processing
2. Export → TIFF 16-bit (File → Save Image)
3. GIMP: Local brush/mask corrections
4. Export → Final JPEG/PNG
6. RAW Processing Settings
Demosaicing (RAW Interpolation)
RawTherapee unique feature - Camera RAW doesn't expose this.
Raw Tab → Demosaicing
Method:
AMaZE (best quality, slow)
DCB (balanced)
RCD (fast, good quality)
IGV (green channel optimized)
False Color Suppression: 0-100 (suppress false colors)
Iterations: 1-5 (refinement steps)
Recommendation: - Landscapes, detail-rich: AMaZE or RCD - Portrait: DCB - Fast preview: Fast (preprocessing)
Chromatic Aberration Correction
Raw Tab → Chromatic Aberration
Auto Correction: Enable (automatic)
Red: -3.0 to +3.0 (red shift)
Blue: -3.0 to +3.0 (blue shift)
Exercise 6.1: Lens Error Correction
1. Raw → Chromatic Aberration
2. Auto Correction: Enable
3. If visible purple/green fringe: manual adjustment
- 100% zoom (Ctrl+1) at edges
- Red/Blue slider fine-tuning
Vignetting Correction
Transform Tab → Vignetting Filter
Amount: -100 to +100 (darken/lighten)
Radius: 0-100 (distance from center)
Strength: 1-100 (effect strength)
Exercise 6.2: Creative Vignetting
1. Transform → Vignetting Filter
2. Amount: -40 (darken)
3. Radius: 60 (wide circle)
4. Strength: 50 (soft effect)
5. Goal: Direct attention to center
7. Export and Output Settings
Export Formats
File → Save Image (Ctrl+S)
JPEG (Quality 1-100)
- Web: 85-90 Quality
- Print: 95-100 Quality
- Chroma Subsampling: Best quality (4:4:4)
TIFF (8-bit or 16-bit)
- Uncompressed (highest quality)
- LZW Compression (lossless)
- ZIP Compression (smaller file size)
PNG (8-bit or 16-bit)
- Lossless compression
- Good for web with transparency
PPM/PGM (rare use)
Recommended Workflow:
1. RAW → RawTherapee editing
2. Export TIFF 16-bit (if further GIMP editing needed)
3. Export JPEG 95% (if finished)
Batch Processing
Difference from Camera RAW: RawTherapee uses .pp3 sidecar files.
Batch Workflow
1. Edit one image
2. File → Save Current Profile (Ctrl+S) → Saves .pp3 file
3. File Browser → Select multiple images (Ctrl+Click)
4. Batch Queue (Ctrl+B)
5. Add images → Queue Tab
6. Select Output Directory
7. Start Batch Processing
Exercise 7.1: Batch Processing 50 Wedding Photos
1. Edit first image:
- Exposure: +0.5 EV
- WB: Daylight
- Saturation: +10
- Sharpening: Amount 100
2. Save Profile as "Wedding_Preset.pp3"
3. File Browser → Select all 50 RAW files (Ctrl+A)
4. Batch → Add to Queue
5. Output:
- Format: JPEG
- Quality: 95
- Directory: /home/user/processed/
6. Start Processing
8. Presets and Processing Profiles
Built-in Profiles
Exposure Tab → Processing Profile Dropdown
Neutral (default, neutral)
Standard (mild contrast)
Landscape (saturated colors)
Portrait (soft skin)
Sunset (warm tones)
Night (noise reduction)
Custom (saved profiles)
Saving Custom Processing Profile
1. Complete editing
2. Processing Profile Dropdown → Save Current Profile
3. Filename: "MyPortrait.pp3"
4. Save location: ~/.config/RawTherapee/profiles/ (Linux)
or C:\Users\<User>\AppData\Local\RawTherapee\profiles\ (Windows)
Exercise 8.1: Creating "Film Look" Profile
1. Exposure:
- Contrast: -10 (flatter)
- Saturation: -15
- Tone Curve: Film-like (built-in)
2. Color → Lab Adjustments:
- a (Green-Red): +5
- b (Blue-Yellow): -3
3. Detail → Sharpening:
- Amount: 60 (mild)
4. Save Profile → "Film_Look.pp3"
Sharing Profiles
# Linux
~/.config/RawTherapee/profiles/MyProfile.pp3
# Share:
1. Copy .pp3 file
2. On another machine: paste into profiles/ directory
3. Restart RawTherapee
4. Profile available in dropdown
9. Keyboard Shortcuts
Boost Productivity - Learn at least 10-15 shortcuts!
Basic Navigation
| Function | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Open Image | Ctrl+O | Open RAW file |
| Save Image | Ctrl+S | Export (JPEG/TIFF) |
| Preferences | Ctrl+P | Settings |
| Quit | Ctrl+Q | Exit |
| Undo | Ctrl+Z | Undo |
| Redo | Ctrl+Y | Redo |
Zoom and View
| Function | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fit to Screen | Ctrl+F | Fit entire image |
| 100% Zoom | Ctrl+1 | 1:1 size (details) |
| 200% Zoom | Ctrl+2 | 200% magnification |
| Zoom In | Ctrl++ | Zoom in |
| Zoom Out | Ctrl+- | Zoom out |
| Full Screen | F11 | Full screen mode |
Comparison (Before/After)
| Function | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle Before/After | B | Original ↔ Edited |
| Show Original | Hold Spacebar | View original |
Batch and Queue
| Function | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Add to Queue | Ctrl+B | Add to batch queue |
| Next Image | → or Page Down | Next image |
| Previous Image | ← or Page Up | Previous image |
10. Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Non-Destructive Workflow
RawTherapee does NOT modify original RAW files!
All settings saved to .pp3 sidecar files
Can always return to original
File Structure:
photos/
IMG_0001.CR2 (Canon RAW - original)
IMG_0001.CR2.pp3 (RawTherapee settings)
IMG_0002.NEF (Nikon RAW - original)
IMG_0002.NEF.pp3 (RawTherapee settings)
Tip 2: Using Histogram
Histogram Panel (above image)
Left edge (Black): Shadows clipping (too dark)
Right edge (White): Highlights clipping (overexposed)
Center: Midtones
Clipping Warning:
View → Show Clipped Highlights (Ctrl+H)
- Red: Overexposed areas
- Blue: Underexposed areas (Ctrl+Shift+H)
11. Workflow Examples - Different Genres
11.1 Portrait Photo Workflow
1. RAW Import
2. Exposure Tab
- Exposure Compensation: +0.3 EV (brighter skin)
- Contrast: -5 (softer)
- Saturation: -5 (more natural)
3. Color Tab
- White Balance: Auto or Daylight
- HSV Equalizer → Orange (skin):
* Hue: -3
* Saturation: -10
* Value: +5
4. Detail Tab
- Sharpening: Amount 60, Radius 0.8
- Noise Reduction: Luminance 20 (if high ISO)
5. Transform Tab
- Vignetting: -15 (darken background)
6. Export
- JPEG, Quality 95
11.2 Landscape Photo Workflow
1. RAW Import
2. Exposure Tab
- Exposure Compensation: According to histogram
- Contrast: +15 (dramatic sky)
- Saturation: +20 (vivid colors)
3. Color Tab
- Vibrance: Pastels +30, Saturated +10
- HSV Equalizer:
* Blue (sky): H +5, S +25, V -5
* Green (foliage): H -5, S +15, V +5
4. Detail Tab
- Sharpening Method: RL Deconvolution
- Iterations: 40
- Microcontrast: +25 (enhance details)
5. Transform Tab
- Graduated Filter (darken sky):
* Strength: -0.6 EV
* Feather: 70
* Angle: 0°
6. Raw Tab
- Demosaicing: AMaZE (best quality)
7. Export
- JPEG, Quality 98 (for print)
12. Camera RAW → RawTherapee Migration Checklist
Week 1 - Master Basics
- [ ] Install and configure RawTherapee
- [ ] Learn interface (File Browser, Tool Tabs)
- [ ] Process 10 images: Exposure, WB, Saturation
- [ ] Practice export workflow (JPEG 90%)
- [ ] Shortcuts: Ctrl+O, Ctrl+S, Ctrl+1, B (before/after)
Week 2 - Color Management and Detail
- [ ] Use HSV Equalizer (5 image practice)
- [ ] Sharpening techniques (Portrait vs Landscape)
- [ ] Noise Reduction (high ISO images)
- [ ] Vibrance vs Saturation differences
- [ ] Try Lab Adjustments
Week 3 - Advanced RAW Settings
- [ ] Compare Demosaicing methods (AMaZE, DCB, RCD)
- [ ] Chromatic Aberration correction
- [ ] Creative Vignetting Filter
- [ ] Tone Mapping (HDR-like effects)
- [ ] Practice Graduated Filter
Week 4 - Batch Processing and Automation
- [ ] Save first Processing Profile
- [ ] Create 3 custom profiles (Portrait, Landscape, Night)
- [ ] Batch Queue with 50+ images
- [ ] Speed up filmstrip navigation
- [ ] Setup .pp3 sidecar backup system
13. Resources and Further Learning
Official Documentation
- RawPedia: https://rawpedia.rawtherapee.com/ (complete reference)
- Official Manual: https://rawtherapee.com/documentation
- Forum: https://discuss.pixls.us/c/software/rawtherapee
YouTube Channels
- Harry Durgin - RawTherapee tutorials
- The Photographer's Workflow - RAW processing
- GIMP & RawTherapee Combined - Full workflow
Communities
- r/RawTherapee (Reddit)
- Pixls.us (Open source photography community)
- RawTherapee Facebook Group
Summary
RawTherapee advantages over Adobe Camera RAW:
| Aspect | Adobe Camera RAW | RawTherapee |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $54.99/mo (LR+PS) | Free |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Linux, Windows, macOS |
| RAW Support | Extensive | Extensive (with DNG) |
| Color Management | Good | Excellent (Lab, HSV) |
| Batch Processing | Limited | Strong (.pp3 profiles) |
| Local Corrections | Excellent (Brush, Radial) | Limited (Grad Filter) |
| Demosaicing Control | None | Full (AMaZE, DCB, etc.) |
| Learning Curve | Easier | Steeper |
Conclusion:
RawTherapee is an excellent free alternative if: - You don't want Adobe subscription - You use Linux - You need batch processing - You focus on RAW development (vs local corrections)
Recommended Combination: - RawTherapee - RAW development - GIMP - Local corrections, retouching - Darktable - If you need Lightroom-like workflow
Created: 2026-05-05 Author: AI Assistant for portfolio demonstration Purpose: Adobe Camera RAW → RawTherapee migration
**Happy Photo Editing! **
License
This guide is released under the MIT License.
Contributing
Contributions welcome! Found an error or want to add techniques:
- Fork the repository
- Create feature branch (
git checkout -b feature/new-technique) - Commit changes (
git commit -m 'Add HSV color grading technique') - Push (
git push origin feature/new-technique) - Open Pull Request