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Frans2001
Inspiring
October 8, 2018
Question

[Locked] How to backup Elements 2018 Camera RAW Database in Windows 7

  • October 8, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 1830 views

If I want to use the Camera RAW Database to save my image settings (rather then using xmp sidecars or DNG formatting), how do I back the database up and where do I find this file in the first place? Can't find this information in the user's guide or Adobe website. Adobe chat support didn't know and hopefully somebody is going to call me back.

Hopefully, some of you can help me out.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    3 replies

    F
    Frans2001Author
    Inspiring
    October 9, 2018

    I'm sorry, yachikag, but that's incorrect. Michel got it right: C:/Users/[my name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/CameraRaw/. I've corrected it.

    I'm trying to digest what Michel wrote beyond the link and will come back if I have any questions there.

    MichelBParis
    MichelBParis
    Legend
    October 9, 2018

    Camera raw in Elements 12 - Using the database instead of xmp sidecar files

    I got no answer by that time, which is not surprising. I don't think that a single Elements user has ever chosen that option which is probably kept as a 'legacy' feature for Photoshop users who don't have the organizer (the Elements ACR is a limited version of the full one).

    The ACR editing data are already saved anyway in the main database of your catalog (catalog.pseXXdb), that would mean duplication.  The normal backup process takes care of those raw settings backup.  I would not trust that solution when backing up or converting catalog versions or to Lightroom.

    So, I imagine there is something you don't want about sidecar files. They are so small they are not an issue for me and there is even a debate in the Lightroom forum because expert users want the ability to create them for jpegs and other formats where the raw settings can be written in the metadata header of the media files themselves.

      F
      Frans2001Author
      Inspiring
      October 9, 2018

      Michel,

      Now I'm confused: are you telling that when I choose Save image settings in Camera RAW database that the metadata is NOT saved there but somewhere in the catalog? That would be highly illogical, IMO.

      Further, what is the "normal backup process"? I normally back up my RAW files and in the future, as it looks now, also the Database file.

      You're right, I prefer the database approach over the sidecars, one of the reasons being that Elements isn't consistent with sidecars: it will ignore the sidecar setting if the file is a not-Read-only DNG file.

      TheDigitalDog
      TheDigitalDog
      Inspiring
      October 9, 2018

      Frans2001  wrote

      Michel,

      Now I'm confused: are you telling that when I choose Save image settings in Camera RAW database that the metadata is NOT saved there but somewhere in the catalog? That would be highly illogical, IMO.

      What catalog?Do tell us specifically how Elements isn't consistent with sidecar files if you can. DNGs are NOT read only as such, there's ZERO reason for sidecar files, the data is embedded into the DNG container.

      Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
      Y
      Adobe Employee
      yachikag68482697
      Adobe Employee
      October 9, 2018

      Hi,

      For Windows, you can find it at '%appdata%/adobe/cameraraw' and on Mac it's' Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/'

      Thanks,

      Yachika

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