ON1 Photo RAW 2023.5 for Mac: Complete Guide and Tutorial

ON1 Photo RAW 2023.5 is an all-in-one post-processing software for photography that combines photo management, RAW file processing, layer editing, and special effects. It aims to provide photographers with a seamless, non-destructive editing workflow from import to export. This guide will detail its core interface, complete operation workflow, advanced tips, and solutions to common problems.

I. Detailed Explanation of the Software’s Core Interface and Workspace

After launching ON1 Photo RAW, you will see a highly integrated and customizable workspace, mainly divided into the following core modules:

• Browse Module: The default view after the software starts, used for importing, managing, culling, and rating photos. The left side is the folder directory, the middle is the thumbnail grid, and the right side is the metadata and keyword panel.
• Edit Module: The core image processing area. After entering, the interface is divided into:
  • Top Toolbar: Contains tools such as selection, crop, transform, and brush.
  • Left Panel: Preset library (Looks, filters, textures, etc.) and camera RAW adjustment panel.
  • Right Panel: The core adjustment tool stack, including exposure, color, detail, etc. under the “Filter” category, as well as the “Layers” panel.
  • Central Workspace: The image display area, where you can switch between single view, before-and-after comparison view, or split-screen view.

II. Complete Workflow from Creating/Opening a Project to Final Export

1. Launching and Importing Photos

Step 1: Launch ON1 Photo RAW 2023.5. It enters the “Browse” module by default.

Step 2: Import photos. There are two main ways:

• Click the top menu bar File > Add Photos..., and select a folder or specific photos.
• Directly in the “Folders” panel on the left, click the “+” icon to navigate to your photo storage location. The software will automatically scan and display the images within.

2. Photo Management and Culling

In the “Browse” module, you can use the following operations:

• Rating & Tagging: After selecting a photo, press the number keys 1-5 to set a star rating, and press 6-9 to set a color label.
• Culling: Use the top filter bar to quickly display photos by rating, tag, file type, and other criteria.

3. Enter the Edit Module and Apply Basic Adjustments

Step 1: Double-click the selected photo thumbnail, or press the Return key, to enter the “Edit” module.

Step 2: In the “Lens” list on the right panel, first adjust the “RAW” or “Exposure” section. This is the foundation of the processing workflow.

• Adjust the White Balance, Exposure, Highlights, Shadows, Whites, and Blacks sliders.
• Use Cmd + Z to undo, and Cmd + Shift + Z to redo.

Step 3: Continue adjusting “Color,” “Details” (sharpening and noise reduction), “Lens Correction,” etc. in the “Lens” list.

4. Apply Local Adjustments and Creative Effects

Step 1: Add an adjustment layer. Click the “+” icon at the bottom of the “Layers” panel on the right, and select “New Empty Adjustment Layer” or “New Lens Layer” (such as Graduated Filter, Radial Filter).

Step 2: Use the brush tool for local editing.

• Select the “Brush Tool” in the top toolbar or press the shortcut B.
• Set the brush size, feathering, and flow in the right panel. Use the [ and ] keys to quickly adjust the brush size.
• Paint directly on the adjustment layer to apply or restrict the effect.

Step 3: Apply creative effects. Switch to the “Presets” panel on the left, browse the “Looks” or “Lens” categories, and click any preset to preview it in real time. Double-click to apply; the preset will be added as a new layer in the “Layers” panel, where you can adjust its opacity or use a mask for local control.

5. Portrait Retouching

In the “Edit” module, click “Portrait” in the top module switcher, or select Window > Modules > Portrait from the menu bar.

• The software will automatically detect faces. In the right panel, enable features such as “Skin Smoothing,” “Blemish Removal,” and “Eye Enhancement.”
• Adjust the slider intensity for each feature. All retouching is applied as non-destructive layers.

6. Export the Final Image

Step 1: After completing all edits, click File > Export... in the top menu bar or use the shortcut Cmd + Shift + E.

Step 2: In the export dialog that appears:

• Location: Set the output folder and file naming rules.
• File Settings: Choose the format (e.g., JPEG, TIFF, PNG), and set quality, resolution, and color space.
• Resize Image: Optionally adjust the output dimensions.
• Output Sharpening: Apply final sharpening based on the output medium (screen, matte paper, glossy paper).

Step 3: Click the “Export” button in the bottom-right corner of the dialog to start outputting the final file.

III. Advanced Tips for Common Features

• Stacking and Blending Multiple Filters: In the “Layers” panel, you can add multiple identical or different filter layers (such as multiple “Dynamic Contrast” or “Color Enhancement” layers), and by adjusting each layer’s blend mode (e.g., Overlay, Soft Light) and opacity, create unique effects.

IV. Common Issues and Solutions

• Issue 1: The software runs slowly or lags.
  • Solution: Make sure your Mac system is up to date. In ON1 settings (ON1 Photo RAW 2023.5 > Preferences...), check the “Performance” tab, try reducing the “Photo Cache” size, or disable “Use GPU acceleration” (if the issue persists, try re-enabling it). Close other large applications as much as possible while editing.
• Issue 2: Unable to recognize RAW files from new cameras.
  • Solution: ON1 releases regular updates to support new cameras. Please go to the menu bar and select Help > Check for Updates... to make sure your software version is the latest 2023.5 or higher. If you are already on the latest version and it is still not supported, you will need to wait for a subsequent update.
• Issue 3: After applying a preset or adjustment, the effect is too strong.
  • Solution: All presets and filters will appear in the “Layers” panel after being applied. Simply lower the opacity slider of that layer to globally reduce the effect. If you need to reduce it locally, you can use the brush tool, set a lower flow, and paint over the areas that are too strong with black on the mask.
• Issue 4: The colors of exported photos do not match the in-app preview.
  • Solution: First, confirm that the color space in the export settings (e.g., sRGB) matches your intended use (sRGB is mostly used for web sharing). Second, check whether the color profile in Mac’s “System Preferences > Displays” is accurately calibrated. The in-app preview is based on your display configuration; inconsistencies usually stem from color management issues.

V. Keyboard Shortcuts Summary (Mac Version)