---
title: "Loading RAW files"
canonical: https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/loading-raw.htm
product: "Graphics Mill"
---

# Loading RAW files
 
RAW image files, often called digital negatives, contain minimally processed data captured by image sensors. They are very flexible, meaning they give much more capabilities in terms of image processing than other image formats. For example, RAW files allow changing white balance, choosing sharpening algorithm, applying exposure compensation, etc. The drawback is the size of RAW files - they are really large. Graphics Mill allows reading RAW files, editing the loaded bitmap, and saving it to another supported image format. Also, you can operate RAW files in a memory-friendly way, using [pipelines](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/processing-large-images-using-pipelines.htm.md), like it is shown in the second snippet of this topic.
 
The first way to read a RAW image is using the [GraphicsMill.Bitmap](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Bitmap.htm.md) class:
 
```csharp
using (var bitmap = new Bitmap(@"Images\Output\PowerStation.arw"))
{
    bitmap.Save(@"Images\ReadRaw.jpg");
}
```
 
The other way is more memory-friendly, that could be crucial, since RAW images are rather large. This way presumes using the [Codecs.RawReader](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_RawReader.htm.md) class and [pipelines](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/processing-large-images-using-pipelines.htm.md):
 
```csharp
if (CheckForRaw())
    using (var reader = new RawReader(@"Images\PowerStation.arw"))
    using (var writer = new PngWriter(@"Images\Output\ReadRawMemoryFriendly.png"))
    {
        Pipeline.Run(reader + writer);
    }
```
 
## See Also
  
### Reference
 
- [Codecs.GifReader Class](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_GifReader.htm.md)
- [GifReader.Frames Property](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_GifReader_Frames.htm.md)
- [Codecs.GifWriter Class](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_GifWriter.htm.md)
- [GifWriter.FrameOptions Property](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/P_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Codecs_GifWriter_FrameOptions.htm.md)

### Manual
 
- [Working with Files](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/working-with-files.htm.md)
- [Supported File Formats](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/supported-file-formats.htm.md)