Premiere Pro cannot open a .braw file until the Blackmagic RAW plugin is installed. Unlike DaVinci Resolve, this support does not come built in.
If you have not read the plain explanation of this format yet, start there for context. This page only covers getting Premiere Pro to open and edit the file.
How to Install the Blackmagic RAW Plugin for Premiere Pro
Blackmagic Design bundles the Premiere Pro plugin inside its main Blackmagic RAW installer. Downloading and running that one installer adds RAW support to Premiere automatically.
- Download the Blackmagic RAW installer for your operating system from Blackmagic Design.
- Run the installer, then restart Premiere Pro completely.
- Import a .braw clip into a new or existing project.
- Open the Effect Controls panel, then click the Master tab for that clip.
White balance, ISO, color space, and exposure all appear as adjustable controls right there. Changing any of them updates the sidecar metadata, not the original image.
Why the Plugin Sometimes Fails to Import BRAW Files
A restart after installing usually fixes a plugin that does not appear to work. Premiere often needs a full restart before it recognizes a newly installed plugin.
If a restart does not help, check that the plugin file actually landed inside Premiere’s plugin folder. A blocked permission on that folder stops the installer from finishing correctly, even when it reports success.
A separate free plugin, BRAW Studio, also adds Blackmagic RAW support to Premiere Pro. Installing both at once causes a conflict, since Blackmagic’s own plugin takes priority and blocks the other.
An older camera format, CinemaDNG, uses a .dng file and is not the same format as Blackmagic RAW. If footage still does not import after all of this, export your BRAW footage as a standard file instead.
Applying LUTs While You Edit in Premiere Pro
A LUT applies the same way inside Premiere Pro as it does anywhere else. Drop it onto a clip through the Lumetri Color panel, then adjust intensity to taste.
The same ten LUTs built into the Blackmagic Camera app work here too, once exported. Read free LUTs for the app if you have not exported one yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Premiere Pro support Blackmagic RAW without a plugin?
No. Premiere Pro needs the Blackmagic RAW plugin installed first, unlike DaVinci Resolve which reads the format natively.
Where do the RAW controls appear once the plugin is installed?
Inside the Effect Controls panel, under the Master tab for that specific clip. White balance, ISO, and color space all sit there.
Can I use both the Blackmagic plugin and BRAW Studio together?
No. The two plugins conflict, and Blackmagic’s own plugin takes priority when both are installed.
Why does Premiere still not import my BRAW file after installing the plugin?
Restart Premiere Pro completely first, since it often needs that step to recognize a new plugin. A blocked folder permission during install causes most remaining cases.