Camera RAW — ShotAI Compatibility
Unprocessed sensor data from cinema cameras (RED, Blackmagic, ARRI), preserving maximum flexibility for color grading.
What is Camera RAW?
Camera RAW video formats contain minimally processed data directly from cinema camera sensors, preserving the maximum dynamic range and color information for post-production. Major formats include RED R3D (used in RED cameras), Blackmagic RAW (.braw from Blackmagic cameras), and ARRIRAW (.ari from ARRI cameras). Unlike compressed codecs, RAW footage retains full sensor data, allowing colorists to make extreme grading adjustments without quality degradation. These formats typically require specialized software or plugins for debayering and playback, and they produce very large files (often 1-2 GB per minute at 4K resolution).
How does ShotAI handle Camera RAW files?
ShotAI processes Camera RAW formats (R3D, BRAW, ARRIRAW) by performing a lightweight debayer pass optimized for indexing rather than final output. This allows ShotAI to analyze the full dynamic range and color information present in RAW footage without requiring a full-quality render. Camera metadata including lens data, exposure settings, white balance, and LUT references are extracted and made searchable. You can find specific shots by visual content ("close-up with shallow depth of field") or by technical metadata ("ISO 800, 50mm lens") across your entire RAW archive.
When should you use Camera RAW?
Camera RAW should be used whenever maximum post-production flexibility is required — typically in narrative filmmaking, high-end commercial production, and any project where extensive color grading is planned. RAW formats preserve the full latitude of the camera sensor, allowing colorists to recover highlights and shadows that would be permanently baked in compressed formats. Choose RAW when shooting for theatrical release, HDR delivery, or when the final look has not been determined during production. The tradeoff is significantly larger file sizes and the need for specialized debayering software.
Quick Facts
- Format
- Camera RAW
- Container
- .r3d, .braw, .ari
- Category
- Capture
Written by the ShotAI team. Last updated May 2026.