P: Import Copy As DNG loses metadata set by metadata import preset

[johnrellis]

When a raw file is imported with the option Copy As DNG and a metadata preset is applied during import, the values set by the preset disappear from the metadata panel after a couple of seconds. A workaround is to set the option Catalog Settings > Automatically Write Changes Into XMP.  

Originally reported by another person:

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/community/threads/copyrights-disappear-during-dng-conversion.53023/ 

To reproduce on LR 14.4 / Mac OS 15.5 (see the attached screen recording):

1. Download and open this catalog:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/97ztsg16ekxc2h297lv4w/copy-dng-metadata.2025-06-23.zip?rlkey=9iqixpst...

2. Define a Metadata preset "Copy As DNG" with the fields:

Caption: Hello world

Copyright Status: Copyrighted.

Copyright: 2025 Joe Cool

The preset's .lrtemplate is in the catalog folder.

3. Verify Catalog Settings > Automatically Write Changes Into XMP is unchecked.

4. Do File > Import and import the file DSC00002.ARW from the catalog folder, with the options Copy As DNG and Apply During Import > Metadata: Copy As DNG.

5. Select the imported photo and observe that initially the Metadata panel shows Caption, Copyright Status, and Copyright as set by the metadata preset. But after a second or two they clear (incorrect).

6. Select the imported DNG and delete it from disk.

7. Set the option Catalog Settings > Automatically Write Changes Into XMP.

8. Repeat step 4 to import the raw again. Observe that this time, Caption, Copyright Status, and Copyright retain the values set by the metadata preset (correct).

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

Thanks for the report, @johnrellis  I will log it. 

[MichalTokarczuk]

Greetings.
I have a question about the Copy as DNG as I'm not sure if it's a bug or a feature.

Prior to 14.4 Copy as DNG when importing the RAW+XMP pairs worked fine and if there were any edits in XMPs it was later reflected in Lightroom on grid and loupe.

Now in 14.4 Copy as DNG import of same files would revert the edits to "zero" state like there's no XMPs present, though the edits from XMP will still be present in History State but not visible on screen anymore.

It's easy to replicate, just edit some RAW files, save metadata to xmps then import with Copy As DNG into new catalog with minimal or standard previews in settings. Autowrite changes to XMP should be off. As a result You should see the images in edited state for a moment, then after DNG conversion is complete it should start showing "no-edits" images.

[Aleke]

Hi @MichalTokarczuk! Welcome to the community, and thank you for the detailed explanation of the issue.

I followed your steps and was able to reproduce the same problem on my end. I checked in with the team, and it turns out this is a known issue that’s already on the radar to be fixed in the next release.

Really appreciate you flagging this, thanks again!

Alek

[MichalTokarczuk]

@Aleke Thanks for the move/merge. For some weird reason I didn't find this one by John when searching for possible similar post.

Glad to read that. Looking forward.