Feature summary | Adobe Camera Raw (October 2021 release)

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Learn about new features and enhancements in the October 2021 release of Adobe Camera Raw (version 14.0)

Use Masking to make precise local adjustments

Reimagine local adjustments with the brand new Masking panel in the right-hand toolbar. Now use the Brush, Linear Gradient, Radial Gradient tools with greater precision and organization. You can also access the new Color Range and Luminance Range tools that help you adjust specific colors or brightness levels in a photo. Depth Range control is also available for photos containing depth information.

You can choose to combine multiple tools in a single photo to make complex local adjustments and easily access them in an organized Masking panel.

Here's how you can get started with Masking:

  1. Open a photo in Camera Raw.

  2. In the right-hand toolbar, select Masking.

    Masking in Camera Raw
    The brand new Masking panel in Adobe Camera Raw

  3. Use one of the following tools to make a selection:

    • Brush Click and drag the tool over the areas you want to edit. Adjust the Brush Size, Feather, Flow, and Density using the given sliders. Use the Eraser tool to refine areas of your selection.
    • Linear Gradient Click and drag the tool in the area you want to edit. This is useful to adjust a large portion of the photo with a gradually fading pattern that creates soft transitions. You can click Invert to select all areas except the initial selection.
    • Radial Gradient Click and drag the tool in the area you want to edit. This tool helps you make local adjustments inside or outside an oval shape. Use the Feather slider to determine how soft you want the adjustments to be. Click Invert to select all areas except the initial selection.
    Linear Gradient in Masking
    The Linear Gradient tool in Masking

    Note:

    To learn about Select Subject and Select Sky, see Select Subject and Sky.

  4. Details about the next set of Masking tools are here:

    • Color Range Use this tool to select a specific color. All areas with that specific color will be selected. The Refine slider helps you make an accurate color selection. Click+drag to select a range of colors or press Shift and click to add multiple color samples. 
    • Luminance Range Select a point or area in the photo using the tool. All areas with the selected range of brightness become a selection. This way, you can make precise adjustments to just those levels of brightness in a photo. The Select Luminance slider and Show Luminance Map option help you decide the exact level of brightness you want to select. Click + drag the tool to select a range of values.
    • Depth Range (This is enabled only for photos containing depth information) Use this tool to select areas based on their distance from the camera. The tool slider helps you quickly make this selection.
    Color Range in Masking
    The Color Range tool in Masking

  5. Once you're happy with your selection, use the editing sliders under Light, Color, Effects, and Detail in the right panel to make local adjustments. 

  6. To make a new selection, click Create New Mask and select the desired tool. The Masking panel gives you an organized and detailed view of the tools you've used and edits made to the selections. This way, you can combine multiple Masking tools and follow through with the edits you make to them.

  7. In the Masking panel, you can also do the following:

    • Click the three-dot icon next to the mask to view More options. You can find options to rename, intersect with another mask, duplicate, hide, or delete the mask.
    • Temporarily hide a mask. Long-press the eye icon next to the mask name. To temporarily hide all the masks, long-press the eye icon next to Create New Mask.
    • Hide the masking overlay. Deselect Show Overlay to hide the overlay.
    • Change the color of the overlay. Click the red radio button next to Show Overlay and select the desired color. You can also click the three-dot icon to view a range of preset overlay options such as Color Overlay on B&W, Image on B&W, White on Black, and more.
    The Mask three-dot menu in Camera Raw
    The Mask three-dot menu in Camera Raw

  8. After completing your edits, click OK.

To know more, see Masking in Camera Raw.

Quickly select and make edits to a subject or sky

Powered by AI, the Masking panel now offers two new options - Select Subject and Select Sky! Now with just a click, select the subject or sky in your photo and make adjustments to just the selection.

Easily select a subject (person, animal, or thing)

  1. Open the photo you want to edit.

  2. In the right-hand toolbar, select Masking > Select Subject.

  3. The subject is automatically selected. You can view the selection as a red overlay and a mask is created in the Masking panel.

    The subject is automatically selected in Adobe Camera Raw
    The subject is automatically selected in Adobe Camera Raw

  4. To refine the selection, click Add to add further areas to the selection or Subtract to erase areas of the selection. You can use any of the masking tools to do this. The easiest to use is the Brush tool where you can simply paint over the areas you want to edit.

    Add or Subtract from a mask
    Add or Subtract from a mask

  5. To invert the selection, click Invert. This will select everything else except the subject. You can also use the three-dot icon next to the Subject mask and select Invert.

    Invert the Subject selection
    Invert the Subject selection

  6. Once you're happy with the selection, use the editing sliders in the right panel to make local adjustments and then click OK.

Quickly select the sky in a photo

  1. In the right-hand toolbar, select Masking > Select Sky.

  2. Camera Raw runs an analysis of your photo and automatically selects the sky. The selection is shown as a red overlay, by default. To make further refinements, select Add or Subtract in the Masking panel to make additions to the selection or erase areas of the selection.

    Automatically select the sky in Adobe Camera Raw
    Automatically select the sky in Adobe Camera Raw

  3. Make the desired adjustments to the selection using the editing sliders on the right.

    • Deselect Show Overlay to hide the overlay.
    • Click Invert next to Select Sky to select all areas except the sky.
    Hide overlay or Invert the selection
    Hide overlay or Invert the selection

To know more, see Select Subject and Select Sky.

Feature enhancements

Access new Premium Presets

Select Presets in the right-hand toolbar and view new preset categories like Retro, Food, Urban Architecture, and more. Hover over a preset to preview it in the photo and click to apply the preset. Click the star icon to add it to Favorites so you can easily access it the next time.

New Premium Presets in the Presets panel
New Premium Presets in the Presets panel

Try the new Preset Amount slider

In the Presets panel, access the Amount slider after you've applied a preset. Drag the slider to adjust the intensity of the applied preset. 

Note: This is a beta feature. Your feedback will help in improving this feature. Click the Info icon below the slider to submit your feedback.

Camera matching Color Profiles for Canon Picture Styles 

Camera matching Color Profiles are added for Canon Picture Styles. Check this article to see if your Canon camera that has CR3 raw file support is included.

Support for new cameras and lenses

For the full list of supported cameras and lens profiles, see these resources:

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