How a RAW file becomes a picture

Frames selects the newest RAW decoder supported by each file and shows the adjustments that decoder provides.

RAW 9. Apple’s newer decoder combines demosaicing and noise reduction in an on-device model using the Neural Engine. It is described in Enhance RAW image processing with Core Image, WWDC26 session 305. Core Image requires applications to opt in through decoderVersion; Frames does this for supported files.

The same selection is used for full-quality viewing, Develop and supported-control checks. Processing runs on the Mac without uploading photographs.

RAW 9 handles colour noise and moiré within the model, so those separate controls are absent. Frames checks each file’s supported properties at the chosen decoder version instead of relying on a camera-model list. This also handles DNG files whose supported versions are reported by the file but absent from that list.

RAW 9 supports only some cameras and formats. RAW 8 handles others. The histogram measures an original decode, and remains unavailable while only a proxy is present.

Decoder changes. There is no decoder-selection control. Existing recipes can contain a decoder pin, which is honoured if still supported, but current editing does not create one. A future decoder can therefore change the rendering of an existing unpinned edit.