DNG Export with Metadata

[Gaijin_rr]

All RAW images in my catalog are kept as CR2 files with the metadata stored within the catalog. I am needing to duplicate images to a server for communal use. I know that the sidecar issue will be problematic, so I am thinking exported as DNGs will be best for the group. And as far as I understand I would also need to save the metadata to the file (the new DNG) instead of having it stored in LR. That way everyone has the edits available.

When exporting a RAW file as a DNG, does LR save the metadata to the file automatically? I am not wanting to import the new DNGs into my catalog, so I wouldn't be able to select and designate the metadata save to the file. Ultimately I want CR2s in my catalog with metadata saved to the catalog, and DNGs stored on a server that individually contain that same metadata.

Thanks!

[dj_paige]

If you export as DNG, the edits and metadata are contained in the exported DNG.

[TheDigitalDog]

Export to DNG should just about wrap up everything needed including all editing instructions, camera profile etc. Once you have a DNG like this, or someone else does, you want to make sure Auto save XMP is on OR the user selects the DNG and uses an Update Metadata and Preview command in LR. Unwrapping that isn't impossible but messy. You would need the DNG Converter to extract the CR2 and you'd of course need to embed that CR2 itself into the DNG making the document a LOT bigger.

Frankly, if you're going back and forth like this, DNG is great but stick with the DNG and forgo the CR2 after that. The DNG is 'as raw" as the CR2. You lose proprietary Canon metadata yes, but that data is only useful in a Canon converter and no other.

[Gaijin_rr]

Yeah, I can see the benefit of just sticking with the DNG at that point. Thanks!

[kentdesign]

Plus if CR2 is ever abandoned, the DNG can still be read.  The DigitalDog's suggestions are spot on!

[Gaijin_rr]

On a side note, I've always wondered which is more likely to be abandoned. The CR2 (or whatever Canon or Nikon's native raw file is at the time) or the DNG. Does Canon hold out, or Adobe? 🙂

[dj_paige]

On a side note: even if Canon abandons the CR2 format, that doesn't mean that software manufacturers like Adobe will abandon it; and in my opinion, I think it is highly unlikely at any point in time that Adobe will say that they don't support CR2 any more.

[TheDigitalDog]

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@Gaijin_rr wrote:

On a side note, I've always wondered which is more likely to be abandoned. The CR2 (or whatever Canon or Nikon's native raw file is at the time) or the DNG. Does Canon hold out, or Adobe? 🙂

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That's easy. DNG is based on TIFF a free to use publicly open file format. CR2 like PSD is proprietary. 

Yes Canon and others hold out on proprietary metadata that only their own converters understand.