What is meant by "RAW" firmware? I want to use Asus Flashtool to restore stock firmware to my phone. The download page says I will need "RAW" firmware. What exactly is that? I have already downloaded the correct firmware file from Asus' own website. The site in question has a link to what it refers to as "RAW" firmware, but I would rather flash the firmware I've downloaded from an official source. Is there any difference? Is "RAW" firmware supposed to be something special?
RAW is just the archive format used by the Asus flasher (as opposed to ZIP, EXE, IMG, KDZ, etc.). If you're using the Asus flash tool (AFT) and you downloaded a .raw file, you should be all set. AFT does not support other formats.

If you want to install the stock firmware as it comes from the official source (Asus website), then you wouldn't use AFT. The exact procedure you would use varies depending on what you've got installed now and if it will boot.