Can LrC and ACR read .xmp files at a later date?

[Guest]

So, if I create a .xmp file to go with a RAW file in my LrC catalog (using the "save metadata to file" command), then remove (but keep on disk) the RAW from my LrC catalog, will LrC, ACR (and maybe even Bridge) be able to read the edits at a later date?

[JP Hess · Accepted solution]

Yes, as long as you keep the XMP file with the raw file Bridge and Camera Raw will associate the two. And, if you import the image into LrC again LrC will associate two. If you are ever not sure, in the Develop module, Photo menu, there's an option to rig metadata from file that will read the XMP file.

[Guest]

Thanks for the speedy reply.

I've another question - Is bridge able to read the edits and export the file as eg. JPG later on? (without ACR's help)

[elie_dinur]

Sort of. Bridge by itself can't write a jpg, but you can open the file in Camera Raw and ACR can render and save a jpg without recourse to PS.

[Jim Wilde · Accepted solution]

One thing to be aware of if you do save to XMP for future recovery purposes, not all data is saved into the XMP file due to limits in the XMP specification. Specifically:

Flags, virtual copies, collection membership, uncommitted location data, Develop history, stacks, Develop module panel switches and zoomed image pan positions are currently only stored in the catalog itself, and not the XMP sections of the files.

[Guest]

Thanks for the heads-up.

What's "uncommited location data"? I presume you mean GPS info.

[Jim Wilde]

When an image has GPS coordinates, or when you place an image on the map in the Map module, LrC will automatically do an "Address Lookup" (unless you have disabled that option in the Catalog Settings) and is then able to make "suggestions" in the various Location fields in the Metadata panel (which will be shown in italics). Until those suggestions are "committed" (or changed) they will remain as suggestions, but it's those suggestions which would not be saved in XMP (whereas the "committed" location data would be saved in XMP).

The GPS coordinates would be stored in XMP, however, regardless of the state of the various location fields.