Skip to main content
GALA34538660n9ll
GALA34538660n9ll
Known Participant
April 23, 2026
Question

Lightroom Classic creates .acr files when exporting JPEG as “Original”

  • April 23, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 126 views

Since the latest Lightroom Classic update, I’m experiencing a bug when exporting files.

Workflow:
1. Open catalog with DNG files edited by a collaborator
2. Save metadata (Cmd/Ctrl + S)
3. Export JPEGs in high resolution to the same folder
4. Use “Export → Format: Original” to copy those JPEGs to a new external folder (not added to catalog)

Issue:
In this last step, Lightroom randomly generates .acr sidecar files for some images in the destination folder.

Important:
- This did NOT happen before the update
- Source folder does NOT contain any .acr files
- It only happens when using “Format: Original”
- It does NOT happen when exporting JPEG normally (low resolution or re-encoded)
- It only affects some files, not all

This seems related to metadata writing or sidecar handling.

System:
- Lightroom Classic version: 15.3
- OS: Mac 26.3.1 (25D2128)

    3 replies

    johnrellis
    johnrellis
    Legend
    April 24, 2026

     [View this post in your web browser. It contains formatting and images that don't appear in email.]

     

    I don’t understand these two steps:

    • I export JPEGs (HD) to the same folder as the DNG files.
    • Then I use “Export → Format: Original” to copy those JPEGs to a new external folder (not added to the catalog).

    If the first step doesn’t use Add To This Catalog, then how can the second step export “those JPEGs” with Format: Original?  The DNGs are in the catalog, but the JPEGs exported from the first step are not.

    GALA34538660n9ll
    GALA34538660n9llAuthor
    Known Participant
    April 24, 2026
    • Yes, I did:

      - first step I export jpg hd at the same folder adding to the catalogue
      - after that I select the jpg and export theme outside of the catalogue to send to the clients, so is when I use export with the original format. 
    johnrellis
    johnrellis
    Legend
    April 25, 2026

    OK, so the first export did use the option Add To Catalog.

     

    Next question: What is JPEG (HD)? I think it would clarify things if you posted full-resolution screenshots (not phone pics) showing the complete set of Export settings for both export steps.

    johnrellis
    johnrellis
    Legend
    April 23, 2026

    [View this post in your web browser. It contains formatting and images that don't appear in email.]

     

    1. Is it the case then in step 3, you’ve selected the Export option Add To This Catalog?

     

    2. Do the edited DNGs that eventually result in exported .acr sidecars have Denoise, AI Masking (Sky, Subject, People), or AI Remove applied to them?

     

    3. Did either of the Export operations enable Content Credentials?

    GALA34538660n9ll
    GALA34538660n9llAuthor
    Known Participant
    April 24, 2026

    Thanks for your questions — here are my answers:

    1. No, I am NOT using the option “Add to this catalog” during export.

    2. The DNG files do NOT have any AI tools applied:

      • No Denoise
      • No AI Masking (Sky, Subject, People)
      • No AI Remove

      Also important: many images share exactly the same adjustments, but only some of them generate .acr sidecar files, while others do not.

    3. Content Credentials are NOT enabled in any export.

    Additional clarification about my workflow:

    • I work with DNG files in a shared workflow (edited remotely by a collaborator).
    • I open the catalog locally and save metadata (Cmd/Ctrl + S).
    • I export JPEGs (HD) to the same folder as the DNG files.
    • Then I use “Export → Format: Original” to copy those JPEGs to a new external folder (not added to the catalog).

    The issue:

    • During that last step, Lightroom randomly creates .acr sidecar files for some images in the destination folder.
    • The source folder does NOT contain any .acr files.
    • This behavior is inconsistent (not all files are affected).

    This did NOT happen before the latest update.

    It seems unrelated to specific edits, and more likely linked to metadata handling during export.

    Let me know if you need any additional details or a sample file.

    E
    ExUSA
    Legend
    April 23, 2026

    I have reported an issue where .acr files are being generated when changing a label for saved PSD and JPEG files but Adobe hasn’t done anything with that.

    GALA34538660n9ll
    GALA34538660n9llAuthor
    Known Participant
    April 23, 2026

    Why they touch thinks that works? xD

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices