One other downside to RAW files is that their format is not standardized across the industry. RAW format is different not only from manufacturer to manufacturer but also from camera model to camera model. This means that if you look for a RAW processing program other than that supplied by the camera manufacturer, you need to make sure that your camera’s format is specifically included. Software publishers stay pretty much on top of what is available on the market, but if you purchase a camera that is new to the market, the number of available RAW software packages may be limited.

RAW converters are not to be confused with photo editing software. A photo editing software package may contain a RAW processor, but it is usually a distinctly different program from the editor itself. RAW converters apply modifications to the entire picture, not to selected portions of it. Also RAW converters really allow you to control how the photo is to be displayed. If you like what you see, the results can be saved to another file, typically JPG or TIFF. RAW converters do not modify the original RAW file.

SilkyPix is a RAW converter only. If you want to process a photo further, you will need a photo editing package. As a RAW converter, SilkyPix provides extensive control over how a RAW file is interpreted. Opening the software, the user is presented with an array of controls, many of which are self-explanatory, but some have odd names and appear to be included in odd locations. However, processing a RAW file is made straightforward with a large collection of presets. Any of the presets can be selected, then further modified to suit your taste.

The default screen lists a logical progression of available controls, starting with exposure, then going on to white balance, contrast, color (hue and saturation variations), and noise reduction/sharpness. At the very top of this list is a pull down menu listing what SilkyPix refers to as ‘tastes’. Tastes is SilkyPix’s term for defined presets. The presets may be global or limited to a subset of adjustments. You can save you own set of presets under a new taste, allowing you to apply the same set of actions to a series of photos individually or in batch mode.