Files with the CR2 extension are RAW images captured by Canon cameras. This file format will vary depending on the type of camera used. To edit a CR2 file, make sure you have the latest version of the Adobe Camera Raw plugin installed in Photoshop. This is because the file format of each camera model must be added to the plugin. If you're using an older version of Photoshop, you may need to convert the CR2 file to DNG first.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Updating Photoshop
Step 1. Open Photoshop to check for Adobe Camera Raw plugin updates
This plugin provides support for CR2 files, and is updated whenever a new camera model is released.
Step 2. Click "Help", then select "Check for Updates"
If you are using Photoshop CC, select the "Updates…" option. Photoshop will search online for updates to core programs and plugins, including Camera Raw. The Camera Raw plugin adds support for various RAW files, including CR2.
Step 3. Install Camera Raw updates if available by selecting the plugin name in Adobe Application Manager and clicking "Update"
Step 4. If automatic update fails, install plugin update manually
Download the latest Adobe Camera RAW (ACR) update for your version of Photoshop from the link below, then follow the on-screen instructions to install the update. Check which version of Photoshop you have in the title bar of the program.
- Adobe CS4 - ACR 5.7 (https://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/thankyou.jsp?ftpID=4683&fileID=4375)
- Adobe CS5 - ACR 6.7 (https://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/thankyou.jsp?ftpID=5603&fileID=5613)
- Adobe CS6 - ACR 9.1.1 (https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-in-installer.html)
- Adobe CC 2014/15 - 9.7 (https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-in-installer.html)
Step 5. After installing the ACR update for Photoshop, try opening the CR2 file again
If the ACR update supports your camera, the CR2 file will open in the Camera Raw window.
If you're using an older version of Photoshop with an older version of ACR, you may not be able to open photos created by the new camera (cameras released after the last ACR version was released). For example, CR2 files from the Canon EOS 5D Mark III are only supported by ACR 7.1 and above, and Photoshop CS4 and CS5 do not support this version of ACR. If you encounter a similar case, read the guide below to convert an ACR file
Method 2 of 2: Converting Files to DNG Format
Step 1. Collect all the CR2 files you want to convert in a special folder
The conversion program in this guide only lets you select a folder, not a file, to convert. Make sure the CR2 files are neatly organized in a folder so you can convert them easily. You can also convert CR2 files that are in a subfolder.
Step 2. Download Adobe DNG Converter
This program will convert the CR2 file to DNG format. DNG is an open RAW format that allows you to access all raw colors in an image. If your Photoshop version is too old to support CR2 images from your camera, you'll need to convert the CR2 files to DNG first.
Download the latest version of "DNG Converter" from the Adobe Updates webpage (https://www.adobe.com/downloads/updates.html). Select your operating system on the page to start the download
Step 3. Install the DNG Converter by double-clicking the EXE (Windows) or DMG (Mac) file, and following the on-screen instructions
If you are using Windows, follow the instructions on the installation screen. If you're using a Mac, drag the DNG Converter file to the Applications folder
Step 4. Once DNG Converter is installed, open the program from the Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac)
Step 5. Click "Select Folder" to select the folder containing the CR2 image you want to convert
If the folder also has a subfolder containing CR2 images, check the "Include images contained within subfolders" option.
If you rerun the program to add new files, you can check the "Skip source image if destination image already exists" option to prevent the old image from being converted twice
Step 6. Select the location to save the converted file
Generally, the converted file will be saved in the source folder. If you want, you can choose another folder to save it to.
Step 7. Enter the converted file name format
You can format the file name automatically by filling in the text box provided.
Click the first menu to select a file name format. Then, you can add text by adding columns. For example, you can use the first column to write the serial number of the photo, and the second column to date the file name
Step 8. Click "Change Preferences" to change the supported ACR version of the file
If you are using an older version of Photoshop, you may need to downgrade this ACR according to your Photoshop version.
In the "Change Preferences" menu, use the "Compatibility" option to select the appropriate ACR version. Refer to step 3 in the previous section to find out which version of ACR Photoshop supports
Step 9. Click "Convert" to start converting the CR2 file
If you are converting a lot of files, this process will take some time.
