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systemguy9999
Participant
May 3, 2026
Answered

cannot see edited files on local disk after export from lightroom classic only see original unedited images

  • May 3, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 38 views

I am using lightroom classic version 15.3.  I can import files and edit them.  But no matter what i try, once i export files to local disk they are unedited.   

Please help - at the end of my rope.

    Correct answer JohanElzenga

    Not necessarily. It also depends on things like the color space you choose, and if the app you use to view the image understands that. That leads to a possible difference in color, however. You said you see the ‘unedited’ image. The best way to check if that is really what is happening, is to make an image B&W in Lightroom and then export it. 

    1 reply

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 4, 2026

    In what format did you export those files? And in what app do you view the exported file? Exporting as ‘original’ or ‘DNG’ does not apply the edits to the pixels of the exported image. It embeds them in metadata, but only Adobe apps can read those. To export in a format that all apps can see, choose an RGB format such as PSD, TIFF, JPEG.

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
    S
    systemguy9999Author
    Participant
    May 4, 2026

    Thanks.  I tried JPEG format.  I assume that what you see in lightroom is what you get when exporting.

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    May 4, 2026

    Not necessarily. It also depends on things like the color space you choose, and if the app you use to view the image understands that. That leads to a possible difference in color, however. You said you see the ‘unedited’ image. The best way to check if that is really what is happening, is to make an image B&W in Lightroom and then export it. 

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
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