Camera Raw Now Shows Autofocus Points
- The Magazine For Photographers
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
The latest version of Adobe Camera Raw, 18.4.1, started rolling out a few weeks ago, but it quietly introduced a feature that people have only just discovered, and they are going crazy over it. The update adds the ability to display the autofocus point that was used when a photo was taken, making it much easier to figure out whether a missed shot was caused by the camera’s autofocus system or simply by you placing the focus point in the wrong area.
In Adobe Camera Raw, you can press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + O on Windows or Command + Option + Shift + O on Mac, or simply right-click the photo and select “Show Autofocus Points.” ACR will then overlay a red box showing the autofocus point or focus area recorded by the camera. It is not a perfect troubleshooting tool, as it cannot always tell, but it does provide valuable insight without needing to review photos on the camera itself or open the manufacturer’s own software. At the moment, the feature supports RAW files from Canon, Sony, and Nikon cameras, with support for other brands hopefully arriving in future updates. It is also currently limited to Adobe Camera Raw, with many people hoping it will eventually make its way to Lightroom and Lightroom Classic.
Beyond that, the update also included a new Presentation Mode which lets you view your photos full-screen with a customisable matte around the image while using the arrow keys to move between photos. Generative Expand can now be used to fill transparent edges created during editing, and bidirectional gradient masks have been improved with feathering support and more precise controls.
