Open Directly

Open Directly is a plug-in for Lightroom (version 2 or greater) that opens images in another program without converting them to TIF, PSD or any other format - it simply opens the file itself.

The other program may be another raw converter, or it can be any program the user chooses. In either case, the plug-in simply sends the original file and invokes the other program.

Adobe Camera Raw

In 2026 Adobe failed to add to Lightroom the new generative AI-powered Generative Expand feature and the AI credit-charging mechanism which had been implemented only in Adobe Camera Raw and the cloud-dependent Lightroom Desktop. Lightroom can process Generative Expand adjustments, but you have to make them in Adobe Camera Raw. So OpenDirectly lets you send a raw file to Photoshop as a raw file (not as TIF or PSD) which launches the Adobe Camera Raw dialog box and you can then read the results back into Lightroom.

Other raw converters

Some Lightroom users want to manage raw files in Lightroom but use another raw converter to adjust them. Unfortunately, although you can set up Nikon Capture, Capture One etc as external editors and launch them using Edit With command, Lightroom sends a TIF file rather than sending the raw file itself. Dragging the thumbnail to the other raw converter program's icon in the Mac's Dock isn't much use when you work in Lightroom's full screen mode. Another alternative, Lightroom's Export command, can launch the other raw converter but only by generating copies of the raw originals.

Open Directly was originally intended to get round these problems.

Not just raw files, not just raw converters

You aren’t limited to raw converters - you can send photos to any other program. For example, you might choose Mac's Mail application or HoudahGeo, a program for geotagging photos.