What are .DNG Files?
DNG means Digital Negative and is identified by the .DNG file extension. It was created and launched by Adobe Inc. to serve as a universal raw image format.
DNG is unique from other file formats because it acts as a homogenous format for RAW files used by photographers. Its files contain the maximum number of details and dynamic range, allowing users to fully and creatively control how images are developed and edited.
The invention of the DNG format relieved users from the camera manufacturers' proprietary formats, which became outdated over time. The format streamlines photographers' workflows and offers improved support and compatibility with different image resizing and editing software programs.
DNG format helps photographers preserve image data for a long time and ensures that each user can access and edit RAW files intermittently over a long period.
The DNG format is an extension of the TIFF format and is compatible with the TIFF-EP standard. It is based on the TIFF/EP, the Tagged Image File Format, or Electronic Photography standard, an extension of the widely used TIFF format.
It stores image data and metadata using a hierarchical structure of tags. The format is designed to be extensible and flexible, allowing for the inclusion of new tags and features as needed. In a DNG file, the image data and metadata are organized into a series of Image File Directory (IFD) entries.
Each IFD entry contains a set of tags that describe a specific aspect of the image, such as its dimensions, color profile, or compression method. The DNG format also supports embedding additional data, such as thumbnail images and proprietary metadata from the camera manufacturer.
DNG files store data and metadata, such as technical information about the camera and lens and graphic data regarding the images. The metadata found in DNG files includes Camera make and model, lens model and focal length, ISO sensitivity and exposure settings, and white balance and color profile.
The file format further stores copyright and other rights management information, GPS coordinates and other location data, keywords, and other descriptive information. Such extensive metadata lets photographers better shape, search, and manage DNG images and offers valuable data for image manipulation and future processing.
History of DNG Image Files
Adobe Inc. developed and launched the DNG format in September 2004. The format was created to address the problems associated with the durability and compatibility of the RAW file formats.
Software developers and photographers encountered difficulties using the customized and patented RAW format generated by each camera producer. The advent of new cameras and formats forced software developers to incessantly modernize their applications to support such formats.
On the other hand, users such as photographers risked losing access to their RAW files whenever camera producers stopped supporting a specific file or image format. Since its inception, the DNG format has become popular among camera manufacturers, photographers, and software developers.
Adobe Inc. persuaded camera makers to adopt the DNG format by offering built-in support for converting patented RAW files to DNG or using it as an inherent RAW format. Currently, most camera producers, including Ricoh, Hasselblad, and Leica, use the DNG format.
Many software developers and applications, such as Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop, support and use DNG as a standardized, open-source, or free format for RAW image data.
Types of DNG Files
The three types of DNG files include Converted DNG (Linear), Converted DNG (Raw), and In-Camera DNG.
In-camera DNG
Such files are created using cameras that embrace the DNG format as their raw image file type. This occurs when a photographer uses cameras like Pentax K5 or Leica M9 to take raw photos. The in-camera files are widely supported and easily edited/archived using raw-processing software.
Converted DNG (RAW)
These files result from converting a camera-generated raw file into a DNG file. To create a converted DNG, the user can save the primary raw image data as it is, ensuring that all file information is preserved as written by the camera in the principal raw file.
Converted DNG (Linear)
These are DNG files with raw data generated from the original file. Converted DNG (linear) files enhance the format's compatibility with most software programs. A linear DNG file can be produced by converting TIFF or JPEG to DNG.
Linear DNG is a versatile format, although it does not contain data similar to raw DNG. The file type is universally supported and compatible with most software applications.
What are DNG Files Used for?
DNG files are used to store uncompressed or unprocessed image data from various producers on digital cameras. This allows users such as photographers to edit, share, or store their work without encountering software application support and compatibility issues.
Pros and Cons of DNG Files
While DNG files have numerous benefits in their specific application areas, they also have demerits, as highlighted and discussed below.
Advantages of DNG Files
- Long-Term Preservation and Viability: The format was developed to offer lifelong access to and preservation of RAW image data. Its checksum embedding features detect and correct data corruption while ensuring DNG files are always intact and consumable over time.
- Non-Destructive Editing Features: The DNG format permits users to easily adjust their images without changing the primary RAW data or creating multiple copies of the same file. Instead, it allows adjustments and edits to be kept as metadata inside the DNG file.
- Universal Software Support and Compatibility: The DNG format is royalty-free and open-source, which increases its use in software development and support. Users can avoid the urge to transcode their RAW files among software and formats and streamline their workflow.
Disadvantages of DNG Files
- Software Support Problems: DNG files enjoy universal software applications support, although specific software does not entirely support its metadata or some features, limiting the format's editing compatibility or functionality. Other camera producers may also use their customized DNG features or profiles, leading to compatibility issues.
- Possible Loss of Primary RAW Data: Although the DNG format was developed to contain all image data, certain features of the proprietary format may not be captured, especially where camera producers decide to integrate processing algorithms or unique features.
- Complex and time-consuming: Converting a proprietary RAW file to DNG format can take more time by adding additional steps to the users' workflow. Most cameras inherently support the format, but others require additional programs like Adobe DNG converter to complete the conversion process.
How to Open DNG Files
DNG files can be opened using some of the most common photo viewing applications, such as Nikon's View NX and Capture NX programs, Canon's DPP (Digital Photo Professional) program, and Sony's Imaging Edge software.
The files can be opened from your desktop, hard drive, or the cloud. For instance, use your standard photo viewing software, such as Apple Photos, Apple Previews, and Microsoft Photos, to open DNG files on Windows or Mac.
Start by right-clicking on the image on your desktop or in the file explorer window. However, on Mac, that should be the Command button plus click. Then, scroll down to Open With, then move right to see the programs set up to open DNG files.
How to Create and Edit DNG Files
Adobe Lightroom can create a DNG file. First, download and install the program on your PC. Second, import your photo by selecting File > Export > Export to DNG. Third, save the DNG file to a preferred folder for use. Note: It will have the .DNG file extension.
To edit your DNG file in Adobe Lightroom, locate the folder where you saved it and Open it. Once opened, click the Edit icon and make the required adjustments, including contrast, color, and white balance. After editing, return to the File menu and select Save.
Users can then return to edit the image anytime: Open Photoshop, select the File menu, and then Open to locate the DNG file in the Explorer window.
How to Convert DNG Files with Convertjack
While other DNG file converters exist, including FreeConvert and PicFlow, Convertjack is the most simple and outstanding free online DNG converter. DNG can be converted to JPEG, PS, XMP, WebP, EPS, PSD, GIF, ODD, PDF, PNG, SVG, BMP, or TIFF formats.
Using Convertjack, you can complete your DNG image to any file format conversion process in only four steps.
- Step 1: Upload the DNG image
- Step 2: Choose the desired format to convert to
- Step 3: Press the convert button
- Step 4: Download the converted file for review
Digital Negative (DNG) Frequently Asked Questions
1 How Do You Convert DNG to JPG in Windows?
To convert DNG to JPG in Windows, download and install Batch Picture Resizer on your computer. It is a handy program for Windows users who want to convert DNG files to JPG (JPEG). Second, drag and drop the DNG file into the application’s interface.
Third, select JPG as your output format and choose the preferred quality settings. Fourth, choose the quality and size of the output JPG. When done, click start to allow the program to run. Fifth, download and save your file.
2 Is DNG better than JPEG?
Comparing DNG vs. JPG, DNG files are larger, unprocessed, high-quality, and need more storage space, making them ideal for users with unlimited memory card space. In contrast, JPEGs are compressed and smaller but of low quality because they suffer from compression artifacts. Hence, each file format is ideal, depending on the usage.
3 Is DNG the Same as RAW?
A DNG file is not the same as a RAW file. It is a type of RAW file created by Adobe Inc. to serve as a universal raw image format used by photographers. DNG files are created and stored in a compatible format supported by almost all editing software, and their files are 15-20% smaller than other RAW files.