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BabsMack
Participating Frequently
August 26, 2023
Answered

export assistance

  • August 26, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 781 views

Hello, I am new to LRc and have an issue with which I would appreciate some assistance. I am using LRc on a Macbook Air.

In order to learn about file management in LRc I created a 'test' folder with one imported raw image. I developed the image and exported a jpg back into the 'test' folder. When I view the 'test' folder it only has the jpg in it. The raw image is, of course, still in its folder in finder.  

Is there a way to retain both images so that I can view and access them in the folder in LRc?

 

Thank you

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer richardplondon

    Yes, you can develop the raw file into as many different treatment versions as you like, by making virtual copies.

     

    Altering resolution is something that only applies to a copy image that is exported. So long as you have access to a given image state you can continue to output from it in whatever varying ways you want. The choices made at output only affect the output. All editing done inside the Catalog happens nondestructively at the original resolution of the imported source file, and always referring without any cumulative change or degradation, back to the original picture / Raw content of that. 

     

    A virtual copy behaves as an independent image version so far as belonging to collections, having metadata such as keywords and colour flags, and so far as Develop adjustments. The only link it has to the master copy it was made from, is that any fact about, or anything done to or involving the imported file which underlies both, has necessarily to apply to both. So if you drag that master copy into a different folder (inside the Catalog), or rename it, that file will physically move or be renamed. Therefore this virtual copy will also report as being within that new folder location, or will reflect that changed filename. But otherwise, they behave inside the Catalog like two effectively different photos. From outside the Catalog nothing can be seen of a virtual copy, But if you export or print from it etc, the result is just as real as if it had been made from the master copy. 

     

    To underline this equivalence: you can even switch two image versions that both refer to the same file, as to which one of them is the master copy. 

     

    One thing to watch out for when using History: if you go back to an earlier state than your latest edits, and if you then make any sort of a new adjustment, the History of this image takes a fresh path that will not include those same subsequent edits. So if you roll back to an earlier state that you want to use as the basis for some other treatment - make a virtual copy but then in the main starting image, remember to roll back forward to see your latest edits again, That way you won't lose them. 

    3 replies

    R
    Community Expert
    richardplondonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 27, 2023

    Your raw image has received adjustments (even if you do nothing to it, at the very least it has been given some default raw conversion settings) and so it has passed through one or more 'states' each with a different appearance. Any of these image states can be viewed by clicking in the History panel. If at any point along the way you have exported, then you will see a corresponding step in the History (of what has happened with this imported raw file) recording that too, labelled with a date.

     

    Any of these image states can optionally be pulled out and shown as a separate thumbnail by creating a 'Virtual Copy' either at the time, or subsequently. That one Raw that you already have got imported, underlies all this so that is all you need. And if you ever wanted to re-export the image (say, showing exactly the same appearance as previously) but now for a different purpose - that image state of the Raw is functionally better to use, than would be the previously exported JPG. For example: perhaps you previously exported that JPG at low resolution, and now you want a high resolution version for printing. THat extra resolution can come from the Raw, but cannot come from the previous JPG. Or of you wanted to make further tonal adjustment or whatever, again the Raw is a technically better basis for such adjustment than the JPG would be.

     

    All that said, and I don't recommend this since IMO it clutters up the Catalog and creates an entirely needless complication of needing to  distinguish one kind of image thumbnail from the other kind - as part of exporting an image, you can click a checkbox "Add to this Catalog". Then LrC not only creates a new JPG file out on disk, but also automatically imports that JPG back in, as part of the same task..

    B
    BabsMackAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    August 27, 2023

    Thank you for your thoughtful repy.

    I made note of the history panel and see that the raw file is still there. If I wanted to develop the raw file in a different way, say black and white, or alter the resolution as in your example is there a way to do this without overwriting the current list of adjustments (history)?

    R
    Community Expert
    richardplondonCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    August 27, 2023

    Yes, you can develop the raw file into as many different treatment versions as you like, by making virtual copies.

     

    Altering resolution is something that only applies to a copy image that is exported. So long as you have access to a given image state you can continue to output from it in whatever varying ways you want. The choices made at output only affect the output. All editing done inside the Catalog happens nondestructively at the original resolution of the imported source file, and always referring without any cumulative change or degradation, back to the original picture / Raw content of that. 

     

    A virtual copy behaves as an independent image version so far as belonging to collections, having metadata such as keywords and colour flags, and so far as Develop adjustments. The only link it has to the master copy it was made from, is that any fact about, or anything done to or involving the imported file which underlies both, has necessarily to apply to both. So if you drag that master copy into a different folder (inside the Catalog), or rename it, that file will physically move or be renamed. Therefore this virtual copy will also report as being within that new folder location, or will reflect that changed filename. But otherwise, they behave inside the Catalog like two effectively different photos. From outside the Catalog nothing can be seen of a virtual copy, But if you export or print from it etc, the result is just as real as if it had been made from the master copy. 

     

    To underline this equivalence: you can even switch two image versions that both refer to the same file, as to which one of them is the master copy. 

     

    One thing to watch out for when using History: if you go back to an earlier state than your latest edits, and if you then make any sort of a new adjustment, the History of this image takes a fresh path that will not include those same subsequent edits. So if you roll back to an earlier state that you want to use as the basis for some other treatment - make a virtual copy but then in the main starting image, remember to roll back forward to see your latest edits again, That way you won't lose them. 

      kglad
      Community Expert
      kgladCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 26, 2023

      in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

      p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post if it helps you get responses.



      <"moved from using the community">
      B
      BabsMackAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      August 26, 2023

      thank you! will do!

      dj_paige
      dj_paige
      Legend
      August 26, 2023

      When I view the 'test' folder it only has the jpg in it.

       

      View in LrC, or view in Mac Finder?

      B
      BabsMackAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      August 26, 2023

      view in LrC, in Mac finder the raw and jpg are both in the source folder

       

      R
      Community Expert
      richardplondonCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 29, 2023

      Thanks for all of this information,

       

      I realized that after developing an image the library will just show that raw file with the adjustments. I exported the jpg to the same folder that the raw image was in. When I look at that folder with Mac finder both the raw and jpg are there. In LrC when I switch to the import window and select the folder in question I see both the raw file and the jpg. The jpg is not evident in the LrC library because it has not been imported.

       

      I worked through the rest of your list in LrC to make sure that I understood your suggestions.

      Thank you

       


      In my opinion the JPG has no need to be evident from within the LrC library. to serve its purpose - since that is some intended external usage. The particular usage will dictate the particular settings with which you export. If you have no external usage in mind, there's no reason to export at all. The Catalog is your front-end for viewing the image library. amd all the organisation and editing work within. 

       

      IOW: whenever one does export, this is ephemeral: external file copies are disposable once their external usage requirement has passed.

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