Use of "Open Directly" Plug-in for Editing in Photoshop

[JimAscher]

I was wondering how really useful (or necessary?) is the use of this plug-in (http://photographers-toolbox.com/products/jbeardsworth/opendirectly/index.php?sec=main) for editing of a Lightroom processed RAW (ACR) image in Photoshop.  In my (usual) ignorance, I fail to see (understand) why it might be considered of help.  Any enlightenment would be appreciated.

[Schewe]

It allows the opening of raw files in other raw converters...normally when you do an Edit In from Lightroom, Lightroom renders a TIFF. With the plug-in you can bypass LR's rendering and open into another raw converter.

[JimAscher]

It allows the opening of raw files in other raw converters...normally when you do an Edit In from Lightroom, Lightroom renders a TIFF. With the plug-in you can bypass LR's rendering and open into another raw converter.

Jeff: Therefore, if I understand you right, if I modify (edit) my raw capture in Lightroom then seek to edit it further in Photoshop, Photoshop will see my Lightroom modified capture as a tiff.  But if I use "Open Directly" I will be sending to Photoshop my initial raw capture, but NOT my Lightroom modified raw capture.  Have I got it right?  Thanks.  Jim 

[Schewe]

You wouldn't want the plug-in simply to open your images in Photoshop...the plug-in can send the raw file (without LR adjustments) to another raw processor such as Canon's DPP or Nikon's Capture NX. Course, LR won't be able to see those settings in the raw file back in Lightroom because the raw processors can't share settings. You'll have to render a tiff from the other raw processor and bring that back into Lightroom.

[JimAscher]

You wouldn't want the plug-in simply to open your images in Photoshop...the plug-in can send the raw file (without LR adjustments) to another raw processor such as Canon's DPP or Nikon's Capture NX. Course, LR won't be able to see those settings in the raw file back in Lightroom because the raw processors can't share settings. You'll have to render a tiff from the other raw processor and bring that back into Lightroom.

Thanks.  I think what I'm taking from this is that I needn't bother with "Open Directly" in my current combined use of Lightroom and Photoshop.   

[john beardsworth]

Just to confirm what Jeff has said (thanks JS), as OpenDirectly's author I see no role for using the plug-in with Photoshop. The original intention was to send raw files directly to other raw converters, but it is designed so that you can choose to send the originals to any kind of 3rd party app. For instance, I use it most often for sending DNGs to geotagging apps such as Geosetter on Windows or HoudahGeo on Mac.

John

[JimAscher]

Just to confirm what Jeff has said (thanks JS), as OpenDirectly's author I see no role for using the plug-in with Photoshop. The original intention was to send raw files directly to other raw converters, but it is designed so that you can choose to send the originals to any kind of 3rd party app. For instance, I use it most often for sending DNGs to geotagging apps such as Geosetter on Windows or HoudahGeo on Mac.

John

John:  This is something of a belated follow-up.  Can I use "Open Directly" to send a raw file directly to Silver Efex Pro?  Many thanks.  Jim

[john beardsworth]

It'll send the raw files but AFAIK SilverEfex requires a TIF - that's why SilverEfex comes with its own LR plug-in and why the best route is to use the Edit With right click command.

[JimAscher]

It'll send the raw files but AFAIK SilverEfex requires a TIF - that's why SilverEfex comes with its own LR plug-in and why the best route is to use the Edit With right click command.

John:  With my considerably limited technical comprehension, I was assuming that Lightroom and Photoshop were passing to Silver Efex Pro through its plug-in to those two applications an ACR-converted image.  I personally have no problems with ACR, but I was curious in the abstract as to whether the "Open Directly" plug-in can pass a RAW image to a RAW converter other than ACR if itself is functioning as a LR and PS plug-in.  I was conjecturing that SEP contained its own RAW conversion algorithm.  I guess my understanding of this matter is really confused, if not totally dumb.