DxO PureRAW does not have any image correction or processing tools. Instead, it is designed to produce a linear DNG file in which any noise or lens flaws have been thoroughly accounted for. However, you can open linear DNG files in any photo program that supports this format.
DxO PureRAW 2 features a workflow that is fully integrated with Adobe Lightroom Classic. Read the section about this topic in the user guide.




To export optimized images, do as follows:
- In the Add photos screen, select the optimized images you want to export. You can use the Optimized filter, which displays only those images.
- Click on the Export to… button in the upper right corner.
- You can also right-click on the selected images and, in the context menu, choose Export X photo(s) to application…
- The floating window shows the number of images to be exported.
- By default, the Export to… section features a list of Adobe programs. You can also choose another application. In this case, click Select custom software. Next, in the Applications folder (Mac) or the Programs folder (PC), select the desired program, and click Open.
- The name of the destination program will appear in the window.
- By clicking on the checkbox, you can merge original RAW files with files that have been optimized by DxO PureRAW 2.
- Click Export.
- The destination program opens and displays the exported images.
Note that the Export window remembers the destination program.
Exporting does not move the processed files; they remain in the same destination folder set during the processing stage.
Workflow integrated with Adobe Lightroom Classic
With the external module designed for Lightroom Classic, you can process your images directly from the Adobe program:






- In Lightroom Classic, select the image or images you would like to process.
- In the Library module, under the File > menu, click on External Module – Extras, then select Edit with the DxO PureRAW 2 plugin.
- The first time you use the module, or if you are using a new camera and/or a new lens, a dialog box will ask you to download and install the relevant DxO Optics Module. If a dialog box does not open, skip to Step 4. Click on Download the selection. After installion, Click on Save. You will not need to restart your computer.*
- In the options window, select the editing method, optics editing options, and output settings.
- Also in the options window, select the destination folder (either a new DXO sub-folder in the original folders or a customized folder).*
- Click Process.
- A dialog box will show a progress bar and the estimated remaining time. You can cancel by clicking “X” at the end of the progress bar.
- A new dialog box will confirm that the photos have been processed. Click OK. You can disactivate this window by clicking Don’t show again.
- After processing, Lightroom Classic automatically shows the collection generated. This collection, identified by the date and time the photos were processed, is filed under a larger collection named DxO PureRAW 2.
All DxO PureRAW 2 collections are created automatically starting with the first time it is used, and new collections are added as photos are processed.
Processed images are titled as follows: original name-original extension_DxO_editing method used.dng:
DSC01234.arw > DSC01234-ARW_DxO_DeepPrime.dng
If you process images a second time, the suffix “-2” is simply added to the name of the processed images. Further edits are tagged with “-3,” “-4,” etc.
*The installation of DxO’s Optics Module, editing method, file format, and destination folder are the same when using DxO PureRAW 2’s standalone mode.
Please note:
- All metadata from the original images are transfered to the processed images, including the star rating, keywords, IPTC fields, EXIF data, etc.
- If you process images that have already been edited in Lightroom Classic, the corrections to the originals will be automatically applied to the processed images. This applies to all tools in the Processing module, including the Mask (local adjustment), crop, and black-and-white conversion tools as well as the application of input profiles and pre-defined development settings.
- To avoid applying the same correction twice, only the corrections from the Detail panel (Sharpness and Noise Reduction) and the Lens Correction panel are not transfered. The sliders in the Detail panel are set to 0, and no chromatic aberration profiles are activated in the Lens Correction panel.
- Of course, after processing, you can use all the tools in Lightroom Classic’s Processing module with the same range of editing options and possibilities as with the original RAW files. Corrections made after processing can be reversed, edited, and removed as many times as you like.
Possible corrections with Lightroom Classic
While the JPEG files produced by DxO PureRAW 2 should be thought of as finished files ready to be shared or printed, linear DNGs are more like RAW files that you can edit without restrictions in Lightroom Classic:
- White Balance.
- Tone, automatic or manual (exposure, highlights, etc.), tone curve
- Presence (slarity, texture, haze correction, saturation, vibrancy)
- Color (HSL, color gradient, black & white conversion, etc.)
- Mask (local adjustments).
- Export to external editors (Photoshop, Nik Collection by DxO, DxO ViewPoint, DxO FilmPack, etc.)
- Creative tools
- Photo Merge (HDR, Panorama, Panorama HDR)
- Enhance (Super Resolution)
Corrections to avoid
On the other hand, because the following corrections have already been applied by DxO PureRAW 2, you should not use the following tools:
- Lens corrections: Do not combine DxO and Adobe optical corrections.
- Noise Reduction: May smooth out details and thus counteract the action of DxO denoising tools, especially DeepPRIME.
- Sharpness (in the Processing and Output Sharpness module): Use sparingly, as DxO PureRAW 2 has already optimized sharpness.
Workflow integrated with Windows Explorer (PC) and Finder (Mac)
DxO PureRAW 2 lets you optimize your images directly from your Windows Explorer (PC) or Finder (Mac) window:




- In Windows Explorer or the Finder window on your Mac, open your photo folder.
- Right-click on an image or selection of images.
- In the context menu, select DxO PureRAW 2: Edit in DNG (or Edit in JPEG). Next, under the sub-menu, select the processing method (HQ, PRIME, or DeepPRIME).
- If the DxO Optics Module has not yet been installed, a window will open prompting you to download and install it. The module will activate immediately, and you will not need to restart. If the DxO Optics Module is already installed, skip to Step 5.
- A dialog box will appear showing the progress bar and the estimated remaining time. You can cancel by clicking on the “X” at the end of the progress bar.
- Your images are available in the DxO sub-folder under your list of files in Windows Explorer or the Finder window on your Mac.
Please note:
- When using a system explorer to guide your workflow, the options regarding optical corrections (disactivating sharpness and distorsion) and destination folder selection are not available.
- The DxO PureRAW 2 option: Editing your photos with the last settings used allows you to start processing with the same editing method and output format you used the last time.