RAW files exist as 5 different types. Please find information about each of them below.
Type 1: Raw Image Data
Raw files contain unprocessed sensor data to produce images. They have a short header with byte-ordering indicator, file identifier, and main file offset. Raw formats vary by camera brands capturing w...
General Information
| Title | RAW File Extension |
| Extension | .raw |
| Full Form | Raw Image Data File |
| File Type | Raster Image File |
| Developer | Various Camera Manufacturers |
| MIME Type | image/x-raw |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store unprocessed image data |
| Additional Functions | Preserve camera sensor data |
| Features | High-quality, Uncompressed, Editable |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High |
| Supports Layers | No |
| Supports Transparency | No |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Professional Photography | Yes |
| Photo Editing | Yes |
| Image Archiving | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low |
| Best Practices | Backup, Non-destructive editing |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Varies by manufacturer |
| Latest Standard | Depends on camera model |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .cr2, .nef, .arw, .dng |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Adobe Photoshop |
Subscription | Windows, Mac |
 Lightroom |
Subscription | Windows, Mac |
| Capture One |
Paid, Trial | Windows, Mac |
| Darktable |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
Type 2: Dolphin Virtual SD Card
Dolphin stores game data to virtual SD card named sd.raw. The default size is 128 MB. The virtual SD card can be important for homebrew apps to work properly. Homebrew apps often require real SD card ...
General Information
| Title | RAW File Extension |
| Extension | .raw |
| Full Form | Dolphin Emulator Virtual SD Card File |
| File Type | Virtual Storage File |
| Developer | Dolphin Emulator Project |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Emulate SD card |
| Additional Functions | Store game data, Save states |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High fidelity |
| Editable | Yes, with tools |
| Supports Compression | No |
| Binary Format | Yes |
Use Cases
| Game Emulation | Yes |
| Data Backup | Yes |
| Game Modding | Possible |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Tampering risk |
| Best Practices | Regular backups, Verify sources |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | 2003 |
| Significant Updates | Continuous improvements |
Associated Types
| Related Formats | .gci, .gcs, .sav |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Dolphin Emulator |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android |
Type 3: Raw Audio Data
A raw audio file contains uncompressed PCM audio data without a header. Common raw file extensions are .raw, .pcm, or .sam. As there is no header, compatible players need information like encoding, sa...
General Information
| Title | RAW Audio File |
| Extension | .raw |
| Full Form | Raw Audio Data |
| File Type | Audio File |
| Developer | N/A |
| MIME Type | audio/raw, audio/wave, audio/wav |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store audio |
| Additional Functions | Uncompressed audio |
| Features | No metadata, Unprocessed |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High, Uncompressed |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | Yes |
Use Cases
| Audio Editing | Yes |
| Sound Engineering | Yes |
| Sample Storage | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low |
| Best Practices | Regular backups, Lossless editing |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | N/A |
| Latest Version | N/A |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .wav, .aiff, .flac |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 Audacity |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Adobe Audition |
Paid | Windows, Mac |
 VLC Media Player |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
Type 4: Fedora Linux Disk Image
The Fedora Raw image file contains binary copy of the OS. It is compressed as Fedora-Workstation-34-1.2.aarch64.raw.xz. To uncompress, ran unxz. This uncompressed it to Fedora-Workstation-34-1.2.aarch...
General Information
| Title | RAW Disk Image |
| Extension | .raw |
| Full Form | Raw Disk Image File |
| File Type | Disk Image File |
| Developer | Various |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store disk image |
| Additional Functions | Data recovery, system backup |
| Features | Uncompressed, sector-by-sector copy |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High fidelity |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | Yes, with tools |
Use Cases
| System emulation | Yes |
| Virtual machines | Yes |
| Forensic analysis | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Data leakage |
| Best Practices | Encryption, secure storage |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Varies |
| Latest Version | N/A |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .iso, .img, .vmdk |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 GNOME Boxes |
Free | Linux |
 QEMU |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
 VirtualBox |
Free | Windows, Mac, Linux |
Type 5: X-ray Diffractometer Results
An X-ray diffractometer shoots X-rays at material. It measures the resulting scattering pattern. This determines the material's structure. Various scientists use diffractometers. They analyze composit...
General Information
| Title | RAW XRD File Extension |
| Extension | .raw |
| Full Form | X-Ray Diffractogram File |
| File Type | Binary Data File |
| Developer | Various |
| MIME Type | application/octet-stream |
File Function
| Primary Function | Store diffractogram |
| Additional Functions | Data analysis, Research |
| Features | Binary format, High precision |
File Characteristics
| Quality | High-resolution data |
| Supports Layers | N/A |
| Supports Transparency | N/A |
| Editable | Specialized software |
Use Cases
| Material Science | Yes |
| Chemistry | Yes |
| Quality Control | Yes |
| Pharmaceuticals | Yes |
Security and Practices
| Security Risks | Low risk |
| Best Practices | Regular backups, Access control |
Historical/Version Information
| Initial Release | Varies by software |
| Latest Version | Depends on software |
Associated Types
| Similar Extensions | .xy, .dif, .rd |
Software Compatibility
| Software | Usage Policy | OS Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
 PANalytical X'Pert HighScore |
Commercial | Windows |
| Bruker DIFFRAC.EVA |
Commercial | Windows |
| MDI Jade |
Commercial | Windows |