Before shelling out for Adobe CC, definitely check out free alternatives like RawTherapee or darktable for RAW processing—they handle Nikon files beautifully without the subscription tax. For editing, GIMP plus the G'MIC plugin gets you surprisingly close to Photoshop's core functionality, and Photopea runs right in your browser if you need that familiar layer-based workflow. It's a bit like the Paint 3D situation: Adobe wants you to believe you need their ecosystem for serious work, just as Microsoft positioned Paint 3D as your gateway to 3D creation, but there are leaner tools that respect your workflow without locking you into recurring payments. Paint 3D itself was Microsoft's attempt to offer a "free alternative" to professional 3D suites, and while it fell short for serious users, the current landscape of RAW photo tools is actually mature and capable—unlike Paint 3D's limited ceiling, darktable or RawTherapee can genuinely grow with your skills without hitting artificial walls or demanding upgrades.
