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Brayden_Bashaw9330
Participant
February 3, 2025
Question

Raw files converting to xmp files, able to preview in Camera Raw but won't import to Lightroom

  • February 3, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 482 views

I am trying to import a big project into my Lightroom CC. I've done this hundreds of times without issue with this exact card. I tried to import all the files at once, but they all showed up with an error code and did not let me import. I then tried to import them in smaller groups, this worked for the first half of the card, but the other half of the files still show up as error codes. I can open these files in Camera Raw and in Preview on my Mac so I don't think it's an issue with the card or with the Nikon files. The files are starting to change from NEF files to xmp. files as well which I don't know what that means or what issues it may be causing. This is a very important project so I would really like to figure this out if possible, any advice would be greatly appreciated. My Lightroom is also updated to the latest version. 

4 replies

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Community Manager
AlekeCommunity Manager
Community Manager
February 4, 2025

Hi @Brayden_Bashaw9330! 👋 Welcome to the community!

I totally understand the frustration. Let's get this sorted out so you can finish that big project! You mentioned that when you tried importing the files for the first time, you got an error code. Do you have a record of what that error code was? If you could share a screenshot of the error dialog window, that would be super helpful. Is this happening with other images you've taken, or is it only occurring with this batch of photos?

Just to clarify, XMP files are text files with information about metadata and Adobe software edits, so they shouldn't be replacing your raw files.

Thanks a bunch!

Alek

*(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*
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Brayden_Bashaw9330Author
Participant
February 4, 2025

Hey Alek!

Thanks so much for your reply. I tried to attach a screenshot to my original post. Instead of seeing a preview of the images, they were popping up as triangles with an exclamation point. There was no other info that I knew of. 

 

I was actually able to figure it out this time. For some reason, I had to get the files that wouldn't import into Lightroom onto my desktop and then from my desktop into Lightroom. I'm not sure why this is happening but if you could think of something I could do to prevent this in the future that would be greatly appreciated. This has happened a few other times before, usually with just a few images though never 3000 like it was this time. 

 

Thanks again

    A
    Community Manager
    AlekeCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    February 5, 2025

    Hey @Brayden_Bashaw9330!

    That’s awesome news you found a workaround!

    Quick question for you—what camera model are you using? Has this behavior popped up before with other photos you’ve taken, or is it something new? Maybe try resetting Lightroom preferences; just press Opt and Shift (Mac) while opening Lightroom, and see if that does the trick.

    Thanks! Alek

    *(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*
    H
    Happy_Click
    Participant
    February 3, 2025

    Hi again Brayden,

    Ok good you confirmed that you managed to get them onto your computer. Is it a mac or windows machine?

    It's hard to say what's going without having a play with it. I managed to get it working for my client but I'm not sure your issue is exactly the same. I normally log in and help people via TeamViewer. I won't post my details on here as I don't think in line with the community guidelines. Have you tried Adobe chat support?

    Cheers,

    Alastair McAra Photography

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    Brayden_Bashaw9330Author
    Participant
    February 3, 2025

    Hey Alastair,

    Thanks for your quick reply. Yes, I exported them from the CFexpress card to my hard drive then tried moving them from my hard drive to lightroom and had the same issue. No problem moving them from the card to the external hard drive though. Thanks!

    H
    Happy_Click
    Participant
    February 3, 2025

    I'm not from Adobe, but I think a private client of mine (I've been teaching Lightroom and LrClassic for years) had the same problem the other day. Can you let me know if you've tried copying the photos from the card to somewhere like a folder on your desktop and then importing from there? With my client I think it was an issue with her computer (a Mac) not reading from the card reader (even though it had before). Anyway, let me know.

    Cheers,

    Alastair

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