Are adjustments in ACR destructive?

[NigelC]

In Photoshop, I've been taught not to carry out adustments from the Image menu but to do each adjustment in a separate layer and flatten at the end, as this is less destructive of the image. I normally do minimal adjustments in ACR (3.3), mainly shadows and highlights, maybe white balance. Does this also impair the image?

[Nick Rains]

In Photoshop, I've been taught not to carry out adustments from the Image menu but to do each adjustment in a separate layer and flatten at the end, as this is less destructive of the image. I normally do minimal adjustments in ACR (3.3), mainly shadows and highlights, maybe white balance. Does this also impair the image?
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No, the adjustments are only applied (rendered) when the RAW file is saved out as a TIFF or exported to Photoshop. The adjustments may be thought of as a set of 'instructions; these are stored with the image file but do not affect the original data.

[NigelC]

No, the adjustments are only applied (rendered) when the RAW file is saved out as a TIFF or exported to Photoshop. The adjustments may be thought of as a set of 'instructions; these are stored with the image file but do not affect the original data.
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Great - thanks for that information

[sniper]

ACR is only non distructive on RAW files if your opening jpeg/tiff in ACR then it is changing the image pixles.  Wayne

[digitaldog]

ACR is only non distructive on RAW files if your opening jpeg/tiff in ACR then it is changing the image pixles.  Wayne
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Exactly! Although some could argue it may be less destructive since all edits are applied at once in an idealized order. But then, everything is going into a linear encoded, high bit ProPhoto space. One could also argue that an 8-bit sRGB image having a 2.2 encoding might suffer more than a high bit ProPhoto RGB (1.8 encoding) as a source for the conversions. And what you ask for out the back end could play a role.