# RapidRAW — GPU-Accelerated RAW Image Editor

> A non-destructive, GPU-accelerated RAW photo editor built with Rust and Tauri, offering real-time processing of camera RAW files with professional color grading and masking tools.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# RapidRAW — GPU-Accelerated RAW Image Editor

## Quick Use
```bash
# Download the latest release for your platform
# macOS, Windows, and Linux builds are available
git clone https://github.com/CyberTimon/RapidRAW.git
cd RapidRAW
npm install && npm run tauri dev
```

## Introduction
RapidRAW is an open-source desktop application for editing camera RAW files with GPU-accelerated processing. Built with Rust on the backend and React on the frontend via Tauri, it delivers real-time adjustments on high-resolution images without the subscription cost of commercial alternatives.

## What RapidRAW Does
- Opens and processes RAW files from major camera brands (CR2, NEF, ARW, DNG, and more)
- Applies non-destructive edits including exposure, white balance, tone curves, and color grading
- Uses GPU compute shaders for real-time preview of adjustments on full-resolution images
- Supports layer-based masking for selective editing of specific image regions
- Exports processed images to JPEG, PNG, and TIFF with configurable quality settings

## Architecture Overview
The backend is a Rust process that handles RAW decoding via the rawler crate and passes pixel data to GPU compute pipelines for processing. The frontend is a React application rendered in a Tauri webview, communicating with the Rust backend via IPC commands. Edit operations are stored as a non-destructive edit stack, and the GPU applies them in sequence during preview rendering.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Download pre-built binaries from GitHub releases for macOS, Windows, or Linux
- Build from source with Rust toolchain and Node.js using npm run tauri build
- Configure GPU backend preference (Vulkan, Metal, or software fallback) in settings
- Set default export format and quality in the preferences panel
- RAW processing profiles are stored as JSON sidecar files alongside originals

## Key Features
- Real-time GPU-accelerated processing for instant feedback on edits
- Non-destructive editing with full undo history and edit stack persistence
- Cross-platform via Tauri with native performance on macOS, Windows, and Linux
- Color grading tools including HSL adjustment, split toning, and LUT support
- Batch export for processing multiple RAW files with consistent settings

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **darktable** — mature open-source RAW editor with more features but heavier; RapidRAW focuses on speed
- **RawTherapee** — powerful processing engine; RapidRAW offers a more modern UI built with web tech
- **Adobe Lightroom** — industry standard but subscription-based; RapidRAW is free and open source
- **Capture One** — professional color science; RapidRAW targets hobbyists and developers
- **digiKam** — photo management with editing; RapidRAW is a focused RAW processing tool

## FAQ
**Q: Which camera RAW formats are supported?**
A: Most major formats including Canon CR2/CR3, Nikon NEF, Sony ARW, Fuji RAF, and Adobe DNG. Support depends on the rawler Rust crate.

**Q: Does it require a dedicated GPU?**
A: A discrete GPU with Vulkan or Metal support delivers the best performance, but the app falls back to CPU-based processing on integrated graphics.

**Q: Can I use it for professional work?**
A: It is suitable for many workflows but is still actively developed. Evaluate against your specific color accuracy and format requirements.

**Q: How does the non-destructive editing work?**
A: All adjustments are stored as metadata in a sidecar file. The original RAW file is never modified, and edits can be reverted or changed at any time.

## Sources
- https://github.com/CyberTimon/RapidRAW

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-ac69eb78
Author: Script Depot