ON1 Photo RAW 2021.1 for Mac: A Comprehensive Guide

ON1 uses “Catalogs” to manage photo metadata and previews, but you can also browse folders directly.

• Method A (Recommended: Use a Catalog): On first launch, you will be prompted to create a new catalog. Alternatively, create one via File → New Catalog.... After creation, load it via File → Open Catalog....
• Method B (Browse Directly): In the “Folders” panel on the left, click the “Add Folder” button, navigate to and select a photo folder on your Mac, and you can browse the photos in it directly.
• Quickly open a single photo with a shortcut: Cmd + O, select the photo in the file picker and open it.

Import photos from your camera or memory card into the software for management.

• Click the “Import” button in the top toolbar, or use File → Import Photos....
• In the import window, select the source device or folder, set the destination (copy or move photos to a specified folder on your Mac), and optionally add keywords, copyright information, and more.
• After importing, the photos will appear in the “Recently Imported” collection under “Catalog” and in the corresponding folder. Use “Tags,” “Ratings” (shortcut keys 1-5), and “Color Labels” to sort and manage your photos.

Double-click a photo in the filmstrip or browser to enter the editing view. Make sure the right panel is switched to the “Develop” module.

1. Lens Correction: Usually, first check “Enable Lens Correction” and “Remove Chromatic Aberration.” The software will automatically match the lens profile.
2. Basic Exposure and Color Adjustment:
   • Use the “Exposure,” “Highlights,” “Shadows,” “Whites,” and “Blacks” sliders to recover detail.
   • Use the “White Balance” picker (shortcut W) to click on a neutral-colored area in the image to correct the color temperature.
   • Adjust “Vibrance” and “Saturation” to enhance the colors.
3. Details & Sharpening: Expand the “Details” sub-panel and adjust “Sharpening Amount,” “Radius,” and “Masking” (hold the Option key and drag the “Masking” slider to preview the sharpening area).
4. Local Adjustments: Use the “Graduated Filter” (shortcut G) or “Radial Filter” (shortcut Shift+R) for local exposure or color adjustments.

Click the “Effects” button at the top of the right panel to switch modules. This is a non-destructive filter library.

• In the “Presets” tab, browse and click various presets (such as Black & White, Cinematic Color Grading, etc.) to preview the effect in real time.
• After applying, you can control the visibility, opacity, and blend mode of that effect layer in the stack below.
• In the “Filters” tab, you can manually add and fine-tune individual filter parameters such as “Dynamic Contrast,” “Color Enhancement,” “Glow,” and more.
• Tip: Use the “Masking” brush (shortcut B) to locally erase an applied effect, achieving localized application.

Click the “Local” module button to enter the layer-based deep editing environment.

1. Click the “Add New Layer” button and choose “Blank Layer,” “Adjustment Layer” (such as brightness/contrast, color balance), or “Photo Layer” (for compositing multiple photos).
2. For adjustment layers, you will automatically enter mask drawing mode. Use the brush tool (B) to paint over the areas you want to adjust. Use the Option key to switch to “Erase” mode.
3. Use “Selection Tools” (such as Sky Selection, Subject Selection) to quickly create complex masks.
4. Layer opacity and blend modes can be adjusted at any time.

If you are editing a portrait photo, you can switch to the “Portrait” module.

• The software will usually detect faces automatically. Check features such as “Skin Smoothing” and “Blemish Removal,” and adjust the slider intensity as appropriate.
• Use “Eye Enhancement” to brighten the eyes and “Teeth Whitening” to improve the smile.
• All adjustments can be locally controlled via masks.