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Jonas2661614083xm
Known Participant
November 6, 2023
Question

Can I still access my editing steps without the XMP file or can I still export it somehow?

  • November 6, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 1140 views

Hello community,

 

I have deleted my pictures on my external hard drive which I used to edit the pictures via lightrrom cc. However, I still have the images on another memory card, but unfortunately I need my other hard drive to export the images. I hope I haven't deleted the editing files as well. I still have the Lightroom folder that Lightroom automatically created on my laptop. It contains backup folders and catalogue folders, for example, but no XMP files or anything like that. Can I still access my editing steps without the XMP file or can I still export it somehow? Please find attached what I still have and the screenshot of that I can´t export without external storage, but I have the picture on an other storage but not the XMP file.

 

Thank you in advance.

 

Best regards,

Jonas

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    3 replies

    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 6, 2023

    First, your screen-clip indicates you use Lightroom-Classic.  There is no app called Lightroom-CC.

    If you have deleted from disk the original files, then the only way you can restore the ability to Export derivative images is to replace the original files from a backup (or your "other storage"), and in the same folder heirarchy, and same filenames, that the LrC catalog Foler panel expects them to be.

    XMP files are not important, as all your editing work is recorded IN the catalog.

    XMP files might only become useful if you need to Import the Original files into a new catalog.

    If you have deleted original files entirely, with no backups anywhere, your only option will be to create very small JPGs from the Previews.

     

    Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
      J
      Jonas2661614083xmAuthor
      Known Participant
      November 6, 2023

      Thank you so much. So how can I do this exactly?

       

      "If you have deleted from disk the original files, then the only way you can restore the ability to Export derivative images is to replace the original files from a backup (or your "other storage"), and in the same folder heirarchy, and same filenames, that the LrC catalog Foler panel expects them to be."

       

      I navigated to my "Backups" folder and now?

        Rob_Cullen
        Community Expert
        Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        November 7, 2023

        "I navigated to my "Backups" folder and now?"

        When I say "replace the original files from a backup" I am referring to your 'backup' (second or third copy) of the original camera files, and not Catalog Backups (Not the Lr {Backups} folder-  that is only Catalogs!). Catalogs do NOT contain your image files.

        You need to restore those original files into the same folder location as the Catalog expects them to be.

        So what are the files in your "other storage"?

         

        Some links with info-

        MISSING PHOTOS- Adobe Help

        MISSING FILES AND FOLDERS-(Computer Darkroom)

        Restoring the original camera files to the location from which they were deleted can be a major task.

        You might also get some help from the Free eBook "Moving to a new computer" by registering (for free) with the Lightroom Queen-

        The eBook has info on "What not to do" (DO NOT IMPORT PHOTOS!!!)  and "moving photos"- You process to restore the files is similar to "moving" your photos back to the folder locations from which they were deleted.

        https://www.lightroomqueen.com/moving-lightroom-free-ebook/

         

        Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
        dj_paige
        dj_paige
        Legend
        November 6, 2023

        Editing steps are never contained in the XMP files.

         

        You can recover the editing steps from the catalog file or from backups of the catalog file.

         

        This statement you made: "I have deleted my pictures on my external hard drive" is somewhat irrelevant and doesn't help us diagnose the problem. Do these photos still appear in your current working LrC Catalog? If yes, then the editing steps are there; if no then you could probably retrieve them from you catalog backups. But it also begs the question: do you have backups of the photos?

          J
          Jonas2661614083xmAuthor
          Known Participant
          November 6, 2023

          Okay, thank you. How can I see this?:  "Do these photos still appear in your current working LrC Catalog?" but I think not, but not sure...

          I have backups of the photos, but idk where I can find the backups of my exact editing process and how to use them for my picture by coping them from an folder to which folder?

          Conrad_C
          Community Expert
          Conrad_CCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          November 7, 2023

          There are two different concepts being discussed. Steps (sequence), and current settings. We should make sure the right term is being used.

           

          If you literally want to see the steps, as in the exact sequence in which you applied settings, that is available only in the History panel. To see the History panel, select the image and switch to the Develop module. The History panel will show, for example, the 78 steps you took to produce the current image, including multiple changes to Exposure and other settings during your process. The History steps are stored in the catalog database, are not stored in XMP sidecar files, and are not transferable to other images.

           

          If you want to see the current settings for the image, as in the current value for each Develop module option, those are stored in the catalog database, and also stored in XMP files, and are easy to transfer to other images using the Sync or Copy Settings/Paste Settings buttons/commands, so that you can choose which settings to transfer as shown in the picture below.

           

           

          If the picture above is what you want to do, then it’s possible if you can select an image in the catalog (to set it as the source for Develop settings), and the folder path to the image is still valid (that is, it isn’t missing from the point of view of the catalog).

          DClark064
          DClark064
          Inspiring
          November 6, 2023

          The editing steps are stored in the catalog, and optionally in the XMP sidecar files.  You seem to have the lrcat file, so if you restore the original files you should be OK. 

          J
          Jonas2661614083xmAuthor
          Known Participant
          November 6, 2023

          Thank you and how?

          DClark064
          DClark064
          Inspiring
          November 6, 2023

          You need to copy the backup files to the folders where you deleted them.  Your second screen shot shows those folders, which now have question marks on them indicating the folders are missing the contents LR expects to find there.  The quickest and easiest way is to use the Windows Explorer (or your backup program) to copy the files from the backup folders to your external hard drive where you had stored your photo files.  Once you have restored the files to the folders, the ? on the files and folders in your second screen shot will disappear and you are back to where you were before you deleted everything.  This obviously depends on the fact that you have backup copies of everything you deleted. 

           

          This is really nothing more than how to replace deleted files using the backup copy.  If you have backup copies it's easy.  No backup, you're screwed.

           

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