help in saving a DNG file

[Kathleen]

(Photoshop Cs2) Hope someone can help. I'm a little confused when it comes to saving my edited raw image. When saving in the .DNG file format, there is the option of choosing to save the file as a compressed (lossless) image, convert it to linear image or embed the original raw image. What do these selections mean to the image and which is the best one to select.
thanks,

[Kevin]

Interesting question, Kathleen. I don't know the answer as I never use .DNG but I'm curious to see what others may say.

[Rudi]

Save the file as a compressed (lossless) image. That is all you need. Embedding the original RAW file inside the DNG more than doubles the size (so the DNG will be around twice the size of your original RAW file, rather than somewhat smaller, like a bare DNG would be). The DNG is as good as the original RAW, in ever way. It is a RAW file, just converted into an open standard type file. All your RAW adjustments are preserved, all the info is still there. Converting to DNG is how I now archive all my work. For a while I was keeping the original RAWs, too, but I see no point to continue doing that at this stage.

Hope this helps. :)

[Kathleen]

Thanks Rudi. Confusion lifted. :-)
I've been doing some reading on dng and came across this bit of info. Thought I'd add it in the hopes of helping someone else. http://www.adobe.com/special/photoshop/camera_raw/DNG_3.4_Converter_ReadMe.pdf

[Rudi]

Great reference! Thanks for posting it!