RAWformaateid

RAWformaateid is a generic term used to describe a unique identifier that software assigns to a raw image file format. It serves as an internal handle that enables decoders and processing pipelines to select the correct demosaicing and processing routines for a given file. While there is no universal standard with this exact name, the concept is widely used in digital photography workflows and metadata systems to distinguish between competing raw formats.

In practice, a RAW format id is derived from a combination of signals: file signatures or magic numbers found at the start of the file, container headers, vendor-specific headers, and sometimes the file extension as a fallback. Software libraries and asset management systems map these signals to a concrete format id, which is then stored in catalogs or databases to speed up batch processing and format-specific handling.

Common raw formats are defined by camera manufacturers, such as Canon's CR2 and CR3, Nikon's NEF, Sony's ARW, Fujifilm's RAF, Olympus's ORF, Panasonic's RW2, or other vendor-specific variants. There is also the open Digital Negative (DNG) format, which uses its own standard and can act as a universal wrapper for several raw types.

Limitations arise because RAW formats are proprietary and evolve over time; format ids may be internal or versioned, and different software implementations may recognize different subsets of formats. Open libraries like LibRAW and open standards like DNG aim to improve interoperability by providing documented decoders and mappings.

See also: raw image format, metadata, exif, libraw, dng, image processing pipeline.