As you may know, RawTherapee is a free, cross-platform, open-source image converter and digital photo processor, being available for Linux, Windows and Mac OS X.
Among others, RawTherapee includes white and black point comparisons at RAW level, pyramidal noise filter, offers the alrorithms AMaZE, DCB and EAHD for the removal of static image errors. The processing steps are performed with a full 16-bit colour range to achieve maximum quality.
The latest version available is Rawtherapee 5.11, which comes with the below new features:
- The path template for queue export supports more format specifiers, including dates and new path types. Additionally, there is a preview to show the path for the selected image.
- The maximum zoom for the editor is now configurable.
- Pseudo HiDPI is replaced by real HiDPI.
- The file browser has an option to show all images within subfolders too.
- The Use embedded option for the Input Profile is available for DNGs that have an embedded DCP.
- The Color appearance sub-tool in Selective Editing (formerly Local Adjustments) received various improvements, including simplification of the basic mode, addition of new tone mappers for Cam16, a black and white mode, and a highlight attenuation feature.
- The White balance Tint range is expanded.
- It is now possible to use Contrast by Detail Levels in Before Black-and-White mode while Color Appearance & Lighting is activated with CAM16.
- Ratings and color labels can be synchronized with XMPs.
- The Selective Editing tool received various improvements, such as a global mode for applying edits to the entire image uniformly, ΔE preview buttons for most sub-tools, and adjustable graduated filter feathering for each sub-tool.
- The EXIF modified date-time is now added to saved images.
- RawTherapee can now read 12-bit Panasonic raw files encoded in the v6 format, such as those from the DC-GH5M2.
- RawTherapee can now read Panasonic raw files encoded in the v8 format, such as those from the DC-GH6, DC-S5M2, and DC-S5M2X.
- RawTherapee can now read Fujifilm lossy-compressed raw files.
- JPEG XL images can now be opened.
- There is a new option to use lens corrections from the file metadata. It works for compatible raw images from Fujifilm, Olympus / OM Digital Solutions (distortion and chromatic aberration corrections only), and Sony. Corrections embedded in DNGs can also be used.
- RawTherapee can leverage LibRaw (enabled by default) to read raw images. It adds the ability to read additional raw formats, such as Sony lossless compression, and improved support for some cameras.
- Added or improved support for cameras, raw formats and color profiles (not including LibRaw and color matrices for dcraw):
- FUJIFILM GFX 100 (PDAF lines filter)
- FUJIFILM GFX 100S (DCP, PDAF lines filter)
- FUJIFILM GFX 100 II (PDAF lines filter)
- Fujifilm X-H2S
- Nikon Z 8 (DCP)
- Nikon Z 9 (DCP)
- Nikon Z f (DCP)
- OM Digital Solutions TG-7
- Panasonic DC-G9M2
- Panasonic DC-GH5M2
- Panasonic DC-GH6
- Panasonic DC-S5M2
- Panasonic DC-S5M2X
- Sony ILCE-1 (Pixel shift)
- Sony ILCE-6700
- Sony ILCE-7CR (PDAF lines filter)
- Sony ILCE-7RM4 (PDAF lines filter)
- Sony ILCE-7RM5 (PDAF lines filter)
- SONY ILCE-9M3
How To Install RawTherapee 5.11 On Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Other PPA compatible systems:
To install RawTherapee on Ubuntu, follow these steps:
(Optional) Step 0: Update Your System
Keeping your system updated ensures that you have the latest security patches and software updates, reducing compatibility issues. Use the following command to update your package lists and upgrade installed software:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -yStep 1: Add the RawTherapee Repository
RawTherapee is not included in Ubuntu’s default repositories, so you need to add a third-party Personal Package Archive (PPA) to install it. Use the following command:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/rawtherapeePress Enter when prompted to confirm adding the repository.
Step 2: Update the Package List
After adding the PPA, update your package list to ensure Ubuntu recognizes the newly available RawTherapee package:
sudo apt updateStep 3: Install RawTherapee
Now, install RawTherapee with:
sudo apt install rawtherapee -y(Optional) Remove RawTherapee
If you no longer need RawTherapee and want to remove it from your system, you can do so using the apt remove command. This will uninstall the application while keeping any configuration files intact, in case you decide to reinstall it later. To remove RawTherapee, run:
sudo apt remove rawtherapee rawtherapee-data -yIf you want to completely remove RawTherapee, including all associated configuration files, use the apt purge command instead:
sudo apt purge rawtherapee rawtherapee-data -yAdditionally, if you also wish to remove the PPA repository that was added earlier, you can use the following command:
sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/rawtherapeeFinally, to clean up unused packages and free up disk space, it’s a good practice to run:
sudo apt autoremove -yThis ensures that any unnecessary dependencies installed with RawTherapee are also removed, keeping your system clean and optimized.
Popular free photo editing software for Linux and Ubuntu
- GIMP – One of the most powerful open-source photo editors, often considered a free alternative to Photoshop. It supports layers, masks, filters, and various plugins.
- Inkscape – A vector graphics editor ideal for creating illustrations, logos, and scalable designs. It is a great alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
- RawTherapee – A high-quality RAW image processor designed for photographers who need advanced color correction, noise reduction, and image enhancement tools.
- Darktable – A professional-grade photo workflow application and RAW developer, similar to Adobe Lightroom, with non-destructive editing capabilities.
