Camera Raw can now be used as a filter on any layer of your image. In the past, Camera Raw was extended so that you could use it on non-raw images or even videos. And with Photoshop CC, it will be possible to correct even partially-transparent layers with the powerful and non-destructive tools of Camera Raw. In the history of Photoshop, the first killer function was the selection tools, then came layers, followed by adjustment layers, smart objects, and now Camera Raw as a filter.
The public beta of Lightroom also disclosed several enhancements shared by Camera Raw, including:
- A freehand correction tool that lets you fix non-circular areas
- A circle tool that allows you to adjust larger areas in your photos (e.g. adding a virtual spotlight, or an elliptical vignette)
- A perspective correction tool called Upright
- The ability open PNGs or single layer TIFs with transparency
