Convert SFW to ARW

Understanding sfw and arw file formats

SFW (Seattle FilmWorks) is a proprietary raster image format used by the now-defunct Seattle FilmWorks company. It is primarily associated with scanned photographs and is not widely supported by modern image viewers or editors.

ARW is a raw image file format used by Sony digital cameras. It stores unprocessed image data directly from the camera sensor, allowing for extensive post-processing and high image quality. ARW files are commonly used by photographers who require maximum control over their images.

Why convert sfw to arw?

Converting SFW to ARW is uncommon, as SFW is a raster format and ARW is a raw camera format. However, if you need to use an SFW image in a workflow that requires ARW files, you may want to convert it. Note that converting a raster image to a raw format does not restore original sensor data; the result will be a raster image embedded in a raw file container.

How to convert sfw to arw

Direct conversion from SFW to ARW is not natively supported by most software. The process involves two steps:

1. Convert SFW to a common raster format like TIFF or JPEG.
2. Embed the resulting image into an ARW file using specialized raw file editors or converters.

Recommended software for conversion

• XnView MP: Opens SFW files and allows export to TIFF or JPEG. Use File → Export to save in a standard format.
• Adobe DNG Converter: While it does not support SFW directly, you can use it to convert TIFF/JPEG to DNG, a universal raw format. However, converting to Sony ARW specifically is not supported by mainstream tools.
• RawTherapee or darktable: These can open TIFF/JPEG files and export to other formats, but not directly to ARW. For ARW, you may need to use Sony camera software or advanced scripting, but this is not standard practice.

Note: There is no direct, lossless, or standard way to convert SFW to ARW. The best approach is to convert SFW to a widely supported format like TIFF or JPEG for further use.

Step-by-step conversion process

1. Open your SFW file in XnView MP.
2. Go to File → Export and choose TIFF or JPEG as the output format.
3. Save the exported file.
4. If you need a raw-like workflow, import the TIFF/JPEG into RawTherapee or darktable for editing.

Direct conversion to ARW is not recommended or supported, as ARW is intended for original camera raw data.