Adobe Camera Raw question

drummerJ99

Senior Member
Hey guys. Right now I'm using Photoshop Elements for cataloging and editing my raw photos. The organizer part works fine, other then sometimes it can take 30-45 seconds to unblur or load the photo. However my main problem comes from the editor side. When I go to open a raw file, it takes a good 45 seconds for it to open the Adobe Camera Raw screen. After I make my edits and click open image, it'll take another 45 seconds or so to open it up for editing.

Not at home right now so can't find out exact specs on PC with Windows 7 but I know on the windows experience it was rated 4.0-4.5 across the board.

My question is, will a faster computer get from point a to point b faster to allow faster editing? I'm assuming yes, as. I don't see professionals wasting that much time just opening files. So didn't know if my work flow was wrong or if my PC just needs upgrading.

Sorry for long post, tried to Word it as best as possible.

Thanks In Advance,
Jeffrey
 

Eyelight

Senior Member
My Windows 7 laptop using PSE 11 opens a raw file in 3-4 seconds and will then open it in PSE in 4-5 seconds.

I would think the average Windows 7 machine would not be nearly so slow. It maybe that you can add some memory, or make some other adjustments.
 
The first thing I would do is to Defrag the computer. Then make sure you are running the latest virus scans ans they are up to date. Then add as much memory as you can afford.
 

STM

Senior Member
I have no idea why it is taking so long to load a file. I am using CS5 and it is nearly instantaneous on my desktop and nearly so on my laptop. I would think that the two programs would have the same routine for opening up a .nef file.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Where are the original images stored? Are you talking about images that you just transferred from the camera, or pictures already transferred on a hard disk? I suspect that reading and transferring the file is what takes time in your case. Unless your hard disk is getting close to full capacity or your RAM memory is either defective or too small. If you give us more infos about your system, maybe someone could help you out.
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
I agree with Don
Also how much Ram have you got and what other programs do you have running at the same time. All can have an impact on speed.
Hope you sort it out soon …
although a new MAC would be nice - trust me.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
What Don said and what Marcus said. The truth is, without knowing specifics about RAM and processor speed it's difficult to help you out with specifics. What you are doing between each of these steps is going from one module to another, so if your computer has not yet started the program it needs to do just that. This involves managing whatever other programs you have in memory, along with doing whatever is necessary to get these running.

I'd suggest opening at least both the Organizer and Editor up front, so you don't have to wait for these to open (this act alone takes 15-20 seconds on my 3 year old Windows 7 desktop). Now, all you need to wait for is ACR (lite) to open, and for files to be transferred. I'd also suggest closing things like internet browsers, which can actually be rather piggish when it comes to sucking up memory. Add to that recommendation those above and at least you should see wait the minimal amount of time for your configuration.
 

FastGlass

Senior Member
I learned a while ago that the cleaner the desktop is the faster your computer. And sure enough it works. When you turn on your computer, how many icons are splattered all over the screen? The more you have the more items sit at idol waiting for you to click on them. Items sitting at idol takes up memory which in turn slows down the computer. What I do with all the icons is categorize them. All the security programs get put into their own icon call security programs. All the photography icons get put into their own icon called photography programs and so on. Cleans up the screen and seems to work. May or may not be your issue but if you add all the little things up, it may turn into a big one.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
This is gospel!!

I had no idea that the OS will attempt to make anything on the desktop as immediately accessible as possible, so while a clean desk may be the sign of a sick mind, a dirty desktop is the sign of a slow computer.
 

drummerJ99

Senior Member
Thanks for all the replies. I've finally had a chance to look at PC specs and here they are:

Processor: Intel Celeron D CPU 3.20GHZ
RAM: 2gb (according to manual on motherboard, it's max is 2gb. Motheboard is Intel D101GGC)
Video Card: PNY GT610 1GB

It's actually quicker transferring files from my card reader to the pc then actually loading the files to edit. I'm assuming new pc is best bet? Any recommendations on minimum requirements?
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Thanks for all the replies. I've finally had a chance to look at PC specs and here they are:

Processor: Intel Celeron D CPU 3.20GHZ
RAM: 2gb (according to manual on motherboard, it's max is 2gb. Motheboard is Intel D101GGC)
Video Card: PNY GT610 1GB

It's actually quicker transferring files from my card reader to the pc then actually loading the files to edit. I'm assuming new pc is best bet? Any recommendations on minimum requirements?
There's a couple issues with that hardware profile. As has already been mentioned as a possible issue, you don't have enough RAM. That 2GB of system memory is just not enough. Twice that amount would be a bare minimum in my opinion with 8GB being preferable. The other issue is your Celeron D processor. Celerons are fine for spreadsheets and emails but anything graphic-intensive is going to pummel it. The combination of an overwhelmed processor and too little system RAM clearly explains why you're having a less than optimal experience with processing your RAW files.

...
 

WayneF

Senior Member
Thanks for all the replies. I've finally had a chance to look at PC specs and here they are:

Processor: Intel Celeron D CPU 3.20GHZ
RAM: 2gb (according to manual on motherboard, it's max is 2gb. Motheboard is Intel D101GGC)
Video Card: PNY GT610 1GB


Right, you would prefer 8 GB of memory.. And a faster CPU.

Meanwhile, until that day, when using Adobe, shut down your web browser and your email, and whatever else, etc, to free more memory for the photo processing.
 

Eyelight

Senior Member
If the specs quoted are from the manuals, double check them on the PC. Manuals sometimes are not updated.

Click Start, right click computer and select properties.
 

STM

Senior Member
Thanks for all the replies. I've finally had a chance to look at PC specs and here they are:

Processor: Intel Celeron D CPU 3.20GHZ
RAM: 2gb (according to manual on motherboard, it's max is 2gb. Motheboard is Intel D101GGC)
Video Card: PNY GT610 1GB

It's actually quicker transferring files from my card reader to the pc then actually loading the files to edit. I'm assuming new pc is best bet? Any recommendations on minimum requirements?

Given the information you provided, I would say that a shortage of RAM is most likely your problem. As has been mentioned, close all non-essential programs and proceed with your editing.
 

Browncoat

Senior Member
I'm assuming new pc is best bet? Any recommendations on minimum requirements?

3.9GHz i7 processor
8GB RAM (12+ would be ideal)
2TB HD

What is your budget?

I've built my own PCs for years, and there are several of my fellow tech nerds here who can help point you in the right direction. My personal suggestion is to avoid brands with proprietary parts such as Dell, Sony, etc. You can have a PC built to your exact specs using OEM parts for far less $$$, and it will take upgrades for many, many years.

If you must buy name brand, look at the gaming PCs. They're the only ones with enough balls to effectively work on photos.
 
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STM

Senior Member
3.9GHz i7 processor
8GB RAM (12+ would be ideal)
2GB HD

What is your budget?

I've built my own PCs for years, and there are several of my fellow tech nerds here who can help point you in the right direction. My personal suggestion is to avoid brands with proprietary parts such as Dell, Sony, etc. You can have a PC built to your exact specs using OEM parts for far less $$$, and it will take upgrades for many, many years.

If you must buy name brand, look at the gaming PCs. They're the only ones with enough balls to effectively work on photos.

Did you mean a 2 TERABYTE hard drive?
 
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