What is an ARW file?

This article describes two file formats that use the ARW extension, including how to open and convert both types.

 

What is an ARW file?

The file has the ARW extension, which stands for Sony Alpha Raw and is therefore a Sony RAW Image file. It is based on the TIF file format and is similar to other RAW files from Sony cameras, such as SR2 and SRF files.

A raw image format simply means that the file has not been compressed or processed in any way. It is in its raw form, as it was when the camera first captured it. Although the Sony RAW file type is more common, an ARW file can also be an ArtStudio Scene file.

 

How to open ARW file

ARW files are Sony RAW image formats (i.e. from Sony digital cameras) that can be opened with various graphics programs. Microsoft Windows Photos and Windows Live Photo Gallery are two examples.

Other graphics programs such as Able RAWer, Adobe Photoshop , Adobe Photoshop Elements, ACDSee , and ImageMagick can also open this file type.

You can also upload the file to the raw.pics.io website to view or edit it in your browser without installing a dedicated viewer on your computer.

ARW files (ArtStudio Scene files) can be opened with ArtStudio.

How to convert ARW files

The best way to convert a Sony RAW Image file is to open it in one of the programs mentioned above. For example, Photoshop can convert ARW files to RAW, TIFF, PSD, TGA, and several other formats, via the File > Safe As menu .

If you convert a file on the raw.pics.io website , you can save it back to your computer as a JPG or PNG.

 

Adobe DNG Converter is a free tool for Windows and Mac that can convert ARW to DNG.

Another way to convert this type of file is to use a free file converter like ARW Viewer or Zamzar . With Zamzar, you first have to upload the image to the website, then you can convert it to JPG, PDF, TIFF, PNG, BMP, AI, GIF, PCX, and several other similar formats.

If your ARW file is an ArtStudio Scene file, use ArtStudio's File > Export menu to save the file as a BMP, JPG, or PNG image file. You can also export as an AVI , EXE, SCR, SWF, or animated GIF video file.

Still can't open the file?

One possible reason why you can't open a file is because you're misreading the letters/numbers that follow the file name. If the file extension ends with something that looks like ARW, you may be mistaking another file format for this one, meaning it should actually open in a completely different program.

For example, your file might end in .ARR, which looks a lot like ARW but probably only works in a program like Clickteam Fusion because some files using that file extension are MultiMedia Fusion Array files.

The same can happen to AWW files used with Microsoft Office or XAR files created by MS Excel. Other examples include ARD and GRD files.

If you find that you don't actually have an ARW file, research the file extension you see, either on TipsMake or on Google, to learn more about the format and what programs are capable of opening or converting it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to preview ARW files on Mac?

In Finder, select the ARW file and select Info . Select Open with set to Preview . Alternatively, download Imaging Edge Desktop from Sony to preview ARW files on your Mac.

Why won't Lightroom import Sony ARW files?

First, check the list of supported cameras for Adobe Camera Raw to make sure your Sony camera is supported. Then, make sure you have the latest version of Lightroom and install any updates if necessary. If you still can't open the file, sign out of Lightroom and sign back in to complete the update.

See also:

1. What is an SVG file?