How to Use Presets in Adobe Camera Raw (for Free)

As you know presets, are an easy way to do colour grading in Camera Raw or other platforms. Lightroom used to use the file extension .lrtemplate which meant that using presets made for Lightroom were limited to only that software. Thankfully Lightroom (and Photoshop) now use the file extension .xmp, previously only used for Adobe Camera Raw presets (ACR). If you’ve a new version of Lightroom and old presets, they’ll automatically be converted.

The great news about the .xmp format is that it means you can use actions that were created for Lightroom as Adobe Camera Raw presets (and vice versa!). Here we'll take a look at how you can do that and how to install ACR presets.

How to Find Compatible ACR Presets

As more time passes, gradually all the actions created will be in .xmp format, but wisely, most preset authors are updating older .lrtemplate sets to include .xmp.

When you’re searching for Lightroom presets, look for ones that specify the file type(s) included in the description. These will allow you to do colour grading in Camera Raw, too.

Look for xmp in the description to successfully do colour grading in Camera Raw

How to Install ACR Presets (Adobe Camera Raw Presets)

To demonstrate, here’s a set of ACR presets from Envato Elements.

Folksy Lightroom & ACR Presets

There are two ways you can learn how to install ACR presets and do colour grading in Camera Raw easily.

Method 1 - Install Via ACR Preset Panel

The first step to install presets to do colour grading in Camera Raw is to leave your download as a zip file and in ACR, go to Presets.

In the top right corner, click the three dots icon and choose Import Profiles & Presets.

Navigate to where you saved your zip file and choose it. The problem with this method is that ACR sometimes dumps the set into User Presets and you end up with a long list in that dropdown sub menu rather than keeping the set together neatly. For that reason I’d recommend learning how to install ACR presets with the second installation method.

Method 2 - Install Directly Into Adobe Presets Folder

Navigate to the Preset folder to see the presets for Adobe Camera Raw on your operating system. For example the extension will usually be something like XXX > Adobe > CameraRaw > Settings > Adobe > Presets. If you’re struggling to find it, search your OS for Camera Raw and right-click, then select Open File Location.

Unzip the file and drop the relevant folder into Presets for Adobe Camera Raw.

Presets are dropped into the folder — Presets for Adobe Camera Raw are dropped into the folder

Your presets should now appear in the list in Adobe Camera Raw.

Your Presets Will Appear in the Preset Tab

How to Use and Adjust the Presets in Adobe Camera Raw

Unlike Profiles and LUTs in ACR, which make adjustments based on table values, Presets actually adjust your edit sliders. Remember this, because if you make basic adjustments to your image and then apply a preset, you’ll undo a lot of what you’ve already done as the sliders will shift to the pre-programmed values. Make sure you apply the preset first and then adjust.

I’ve applied Pearly Tones – Matte from the Folksy collection.

If I show you the Basic Adjustments tab as well as the before and after (above), you can see the effect of the preset but also how that’s moved the sliders. You can alter those to get a more refined, bespoke version of the preset for Adobe Camera Raw.

If you don't like the result but you don't want to have to manually adjust all the sliders, you can either select a new preset to try, or just click the three dots on the far right menu and select Reset to Default to put your photo back to its original state.

Congratulations! You've Learned How to Install ACR Presets!

Now that you know how to install ACR presets, you can do colour grading in Camera Raw easily. Go ahead and use all your Lightroom files and Photoshop actions to achieve the look and feel you need for your photos. This will help you improve your game as a creative.

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