Mastering RAW and JPG Duo

Tags: fast previews, group, image formats, RAW + JPG, RAW and JPG

Many photographers are used to working with a combination of RAW and JPG images. We’ve discussed the advantages of each image format in the article RAW vs. JPG: The Eternal Struggle. This time, we’ll show you the advantages of working with photos in both formats. We’ll also discuss how the ZPS X Spring Update makes this process even easier.

If you have photos in RAW and JPG, working with them can seem complicated at first. With Zoner Photo Studio X, you can Group photos, making viewing and editing them easier.

Maximize the power of both formats

Whether you’re a fan of shooting in JPG, RAW, or a combination of both, Zoner Photo Studio X can adapt to your workflow.

JPG or JPEG? JPG is a generic file extension and JPEG is a technical parameter that is used in Zoner Photo Studio X. You can also find it in other technical materials.

To start, choose whether you most commonly edit in RAW or JPG format. Click Display and Sorting in the Toolbar and navigation panel. Then, choose RAW + JPEG or JPEG + RAW under Group. The format that comes first is set as your preferred image format.

RAW+JPG Duo, group — *Select the image format you prefer.*

You can see an icon at the top right that tells you which grouping you have selected for each thumbnail. The preferred format has a white background. For example, if you choose JPEG + RAW, this means that everything you see and edit in the grouped photos are the JPG versions.

RAW+JPG Duo, chosen format — *The first photo is set as JPEG + RAW, meaning JPEG is the preferred image format. For the second photo, it is RAW + JPEG.*

If you prefer to work with JPG and have RAW as a backup, use JPEG + RAW. Switch to RAW only when you need to do more advanced editing. You can manually switch between the formats while editing in the Develop module. Click the format icon below the histogram. The format that is underlined is the active image format.

RAW+JPG Duo, switch formats — *Switching between formats is simple.*

If you realize that JPG won’t cut it while editing, you can easily move or copy the edits to the other format.

We recommend the Copy adjustments option. This converts your adjustments to RAW but also keeps them in JPEG. However, keep in mind that the adjustments from JPEG won’t look the same in RAW format because RAW uses raw image data.

RAW+JPG Duo, change source — *Change or move adjustments to RAW in just two clicks. You don’t have to do anything manually.*

RAW for editing, JPG for previews

Use RAW + JPG if you prefer editing photos in RAW. Check the Fast Preview option to help with loading speed when sorting your photos. This feature allows the program to preload smaller files as thumbnails, allowing you to quickly scroll through even large files.

RAW+JPG Duo, Fast preview — *Set Fast Previews*

Enable the For undeveloped RAWs, prioritize JPG for previewing option you see in the Manager for camera-processed previews with style, colors, and corrections set. This is useful when you want to see what the photo might look like after processing, rather than just raw image data. This option is handy if you shoot in both RAW and JPG.

RAW and JPG side-by-side

You can change your preferences for RAW or JPG for each pair of files separately. If you want to use grouping, but disable it for some images, select these images in the Manager module, right click and choose Prevent RAW and JPG Grouping. The grouping icon will then be unchecked and you’ll see both files side by side. You can then work with the RAW and JPG versions of these files separately.

Advantages for shooting in both formats

Grouping and Fast Previews are just some of the ways you can make your life easier. Download the latest version of Zoner Photo Studio X free for 7 days and take advantage of the potential of both formats today.

And if you’re interested in more information about RAW, JPG, or their combination, take a look at our video.