Convert ART to NEF

Understanding ART and NEF file formats

ART files are a proprietary image format developed by America Online (AOL) for compressing graphics, primarily used in the early days of dial-up internet to speed up image loading. These files are rarely used today and are not widely supported by modern image editors.

NEF stands for Nikon Electronic Format, which is a RAW image file produced by Nikon digital cameras. NEF files contain unprocessed image data directly from the camera's sensor, allowing for extensive post-processing and high-quality output.

Why convert ART to NEF?

Converting an ART file to NEF is an unusual workflow, as NEF is a RAW format intended for original camera data, not for storing compressed web images. However, if you need to use an ART image in a workflow that requires NEF files, conversion is possible by first converting ART to a standard format (like TIFF or JPEG) and then to NEF using specialized software.

How to convert ART to NEF

1. Convert ART to a common image format: Since NEF is a RAW format, you must first convert ART to a format like TIFF or JPEG. Use XnView or IrfanView for this step:
   File → Open (select your ART file), then File → Save As (choose TIFF or JPEG).
2. Convert TIFF/JPEG to NEF: Direct conversion to NEF is not natively supported by most software, as NEF is designed for camera output. However, you can use Adobe DNG Converter to convert your TIFF/JPEG to DNG (a universal RAW format), and then use Adobe Photoshop or RawTherapee to simulate a NEF workflow. Note that the resulting file will not be a true NEF, but a RAW-like file for editing purposes.

Recommended software for ART to NEF conversion

• XnView or IrfanView (for ART to TIFF/JPEG conversion)
• Adobe DNG Converter (for TIFF/JPEG to DNG conversion)
• RawTherapee or Adobe Photoshop (for RAW editing and exporting to NEF-like formats)

Summary

While direct ART to NEF conversion is not possible due to format limitations, you can achieve a similar result by converting ART to a standard image format and then using RAW editing software to process and export the image in a RAW-compatible workflow.