RAWHide’s
Demosaicing Routines:
Bayer Pattern Demosaicing is one of the most crucial part of converting raw image data into a high quality aesthetically pleasing output image. Bayer Patterns (Raw Files) contain only 1/3 of the information of the “original” image or scene so the remaining 2/3’s of the information must be interpolated from the available data. This is no simple task as these examples show...
NO single routine (not even RAWHide's) can perfectly interpolate this data every time. All Routines have trade-offs. To address this, three advanced Demosaicing Routines were developed specifically for RAWHide to better cover the broad spectrum of images and subjects in your photographs. See the descriptions of RAWHide's available routines below.
Detail Accuracy:
Two of the Demosaicing Routines offered by RAWHide (ACC & AHD) are compared to the output of the best competitors. The crops shown are actual output from the same MRW raw file in which the test pattern photographed is at or very near the Nyquist Limit. RAWHide's ACC routine offers a series of manual adjustments that can help overcome a great number of the artifacts that befall others.
RAWHide’s Included Demosaicing Routines:
ACC Demosaicing:
ECW Demosaicing:
SNS Demosaicing:
AHD Demosaicing:
Fast Demosaicing:
Bayer Pattern Demosaicing is one of the most crucial part of converting raw image data into a high quality aesthetically pleasing output image. Bayer Patterns (Raw Files) contain only 1/3 of the information of the “original” image or scene so the remaining 2/3’s of the information must be interpolated from the available data. This is no simple task as these examples show...
This reveals an image as your camera records it. The Red, Green, & Blue "Bayer" pattern. Each Pixel only records one of the three colors required for a true RGB image. | Here we have the "20" after conversion. This example shows one of the simplest examples one could think of, a simple "black-n-white" test target |
NO single routine (not even RAWHide's) can perfectly interpolate this data every time. All Routines have trade-offs. To address this, three advanced Demosaicing Routines were developed specifically for RAWHide to better cover the broad spectrum of images and subjects in your photographs. See the descriptions of RAWHide's available routines below.
Detail Accuracy:
Two of the Demosaicing Routines offered by RAWHide (ACC & AHD) are compared to the output of the best competitors. The crops shown are actual output from the same MRW raw file in which the test pattern photographed is at or very near the Nyquist Limit. RAWHide's ACC routine offers a series of manual adjustments that can help overcome a great number of the artifacts that befall others.
RED area repeated below |
100%
ACC | AHD | ACR | JPE | RSE | RM | SP |
300% Enlargements
RAWHide's ACC | AHD | Adobe ACR | In Camera Jpeg | RawShooter | RawMagick | SlikyPix |
RAWHide’s Included Demosaicing Routines:
ACC Demosaicing:
Advanced Chroma Corrective
Demosaicing. This may be the one of most
accurate and advanced routines available. This routine extracts the
highest resolution and most detail with the lowest instance of moiré
and color artifacts. Where the routines used in other programs fail,
ACC excels. Trade-Offs: Best resolution and color artifact resistance
vs. Lower point data accuracy then EWC and less natural grain in images
with high ISO and extreme white balance. Red's can be "noisy".
ECW Demosaicing:
Expanding Chroma Weighted
Demosaicing. Creates images with very natural
film like characteristics and “grain”. Gives the best results when
small point like detail approaches the maximum resolution of the
sensor. Trade-Offs: Best point resolution and very natural image grain
vs. increased “zipper” and color artifacts.
SNS Demosaicing:
Smooth and Slow Demosaicing.
Ideally suited for portraits and skin.
While this routine naturally combats noise, it should be noted that NO
noise reduction employed. Perfect for cases where smooth natural
results are needed and images can tolerate a higher degree of color
artifacts. Trade-Offs: Smooth results vs. lower perceived resolution,
increased color artifacts, and speed.
AHD Demosaicing:
Adaptive Homogeneity-Directed
demosaicing algorithm by H. Keigo and T.
Park in Cornell University. This routine is often considered to be the
industry de facto standard. It appears this is the same routine used in
Adobe Camera RawTM (at least version 3.2) and a number of others.
Fast Demosaicing:
The name says it all. This routine
is meant to be fast. This routine
will often give fine results it the output will be size reduced in such
cases as web output or smaller prints, however, if the results are
intended to be used for critical work or enlargements you will likely
be happier with one of the other routines.