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Exporting from edited smart previews

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
September 27, 2018
3 replies
6321 views

When I edit a smart preview and then export it as JPEG within the resolution of the smart preview, will the quality be exactly the same as if I exported from the original? Can an edited smart preview have all the same details without getting fresh, new information from the original? When I export from smart previews it goes much faster than when I have the originals available, so it feels like new (and maybe better) files are generated from the originals if possible.

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Correct answer Just Shoot Me

ernstv21515445 wrote
When I edit a smart preview and then export it as JPEG within the resolution of the smart preview, will the quality be exactly the same as if I exported from the original?

NO.

ernstv21515445 wrote
Can an edited smart preview have all the same details without getting fresh, new information from the original?

NO.

ernstv21515445 wrote
When I export from smart previews it goes much faster than when I have the originals available, so it feels like new (and maybe better) files are generated from the originals if possible.

Yes the SP is a much smaller file that does not contain all the detail the original contains. So an Export will go faster.

Yes you will get better detail from the original.

evikne71Author

Known Participant

Thank you, both!

As I suspected, it's better not to be too lazy when exporting. Connecting the external HD with the originals will give the best result.

Just Shoot MeCorrect answer

Legend

ernstv21515445 wrote
When I edit a smart preview and then export it as JPEG within the resolution of the smart preview, will the quality be exactly the same as if I exported from the original?

NO.

ernstv21515445 wrote
Can an edited smart preview have all the same details without getting fresh, new information from the original?

NO.

ernstv21515445 wrote
When I export from smart previews it goes much faster than when I have the originals available, so it feels like new (and maybe better) files are generated from the originals if possible.

Yes the SP is a much smaller file that does not contain all the detail the original contains. So an Export will go faster.

Yes you will get better detail from the original.

Dale_Harper

Participant

In addition to the above answers, I wanted to query something that I experienced recently:

I accidentally exported 500 images from my Lightroom catalogue WITHOUT the source images being attached. The originals were on an external SSD. I had rendered out SMART, STANDARD and 1:1 previews of the collection. I was exporting the images @ 3,400px (Long Edge).

1 - I noticed that the images exported at approx 890Kb/ Image. When I connected the SSD, the average file size was 1/6Mb (i.e more data).

2 - Why didn’t Lightroom warn me is the desired export quality would need to source images?

3 - Why couldn’t it pull this detail depth from the 1:1 preview?

Any ideas?

Rob_Cullen

Community Expert

1 - I noticed that the images exported at approx 890Kb/ Image. When I connected the SSD, the average file size was 1/6Mb (i.e more data).

To be expected as the 'connected' original has the full pixel dimensions to work with.

From a Smart Preview (2560 pixels long edge) an 'upscale' resample to 3,400px might not have the same detail.

The "Don't Enlarge" option, will also determine whether you get a 3,400px or a 2,560px long edge from a Smart Preview. If ticked, it over-rides the entered long edge amount.

2 - Why didn’t Lightroom warn me is the desired export quality would need to source images?

I have no idea (as another Lr user). and agree it is annoying (happened to me!).

Add your vote to- No warning before exporting files from smart previews | Photoshop Family Customer Community

3 - Why couldn’t it pull this detail depth from the 1:1 preview?

Possibly (I am guessing!) because the 1:1 preview may be created from the 2,560px Smart Preview, and not the original full-size file.

Which is also why it is suggested that Noise Reduction, Sharpening, Chromatic Aberration, etc, should only be done with the original full-size files attached.

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 .

JohanElzenga

Community Expert

I have never tested it, but I would think that exporting from the original gives better results. Especially noise reduction and sharpening should be better if you can downsample the edited original.

-- Johan W. Elzenga

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