P: Support Common Image Formats (EPS, GIF, PDF, BMP etc.)

Report · Jan 19, 2012

Feature request: Please add Lightroom support for common Adobe publishing and Web image formats, such as EPS, AI, PDF, GIF, and PNG.

Many of us use Lightroom to manage client images in NEF, JPG, PSD and other formats. But the clients' associated images, which are used on their Websites and in their logos and publications, are invisible to Lightroom. If Adobe Bridge can display these other image formats, why can't Lightroom?

Even if Lightroom did not provide direct editing support for these other image formats, it would still be extremely useful if Lightroom could catalog and display them.

It would also elevate Lightroom from being "just" a photo editor into the realm of being a true Digital Asset Manager (DAM). Now that Lightroom includes basic video support - isn't it time to support all the common image formats that our other CS applications use?

Please vote for, as well as reply to, this request if you would also like to see Lightroom support these additional common image formats...

Report · Apr 10, 2012

yeah right - but it didn't before.

Once bitten twice shy is all Im saying

Mac OS Sonoma, 64 GB RAM 27" 2019 iMac 3.6 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9

Report · Apr 13, 2012

Personally, I really would love Lightroom to be able to catalog other image file formats. I don't expect image editing control, but I would want to be able to add metadata, keywords, ratings etc. In order of importance to me would be 1. PNG, 2. GIF, 3. EPS, 4. PDF

Report · Apr 13, 2012

Thanks, Brian, for adding your support and your vote.

Like you, many of us would "love Lightroom to be able to catalog other image file formats."

...pt

Report · Apr 16, 2012

Hi again Phil & Co
I believe I have a simple solution for this file support-problem. I've mentioned it before, but not as clear as I came to think of it this morning.

LET'S HAVE TWO (2) VERSIONS OF LIGHT-ROOM.

1. LightRoom Core
This version would be for "core" fotografers who only want the file support needed for there cameras and want to keep the LR-installation as clean and fast as possible.

2. LightRoom Extended
Supporting all file formats, extra library and publishing functions, etc. For the rest of us, who really love LR but also need a smart file-handling system in the same app (i.e., we don't like or trust Bridge, old version cue etc...).

Abobe already have implemented this model on Photoshop & Photoshop Extended. Maybe this could be the way to go to keep everybody happy? At least I believe that this will expand Adobes marketshare, and could probably get some Aperture-users to switch to (I know many of them love LR but need the file handling and therefor uses Aperture).

Just my 2 cents on the matter.

P.s. Is Abobe even reading this thread?

Report · Apr 16, 2012

This would add a whole new section to the development, test and support matrix. This is just not a viable solution.

These are primarily user forums, but folks from Adobe often read them.

Report · Apr 17, 2012

>>These are primarily user forums, but folks from Adobe often read them.

Hopefully some "folks from Adobe" see that there is considerable interest in having Lightroom support additional image formats.

If so, I suspect they can, if desired, find a viable solution that meets both their development and market needs. In the meantime, it's interesting to read positive, creative ideas by Peter and others. Those add to the discussion.

Regards. ...pt

Report · Apr 17, 2012

thank's PT :-)
Keep the faith & this thread! I'll sop by from time to time...

Report · Apr 17, 2012

i agree!!!

i would love to use LR for all my image content.

i have 4 TB of image textures and other stuff in EXR, PNG, HDR and other formats. i need that for Autodesk 3D Max work.

using LR and it ́s keywording features, having catalogs for stone textures, wood textures, HDR skys.... that would be great.

i don ́t want to edit all the formats in Lightrooms develop module.
i just want to use the DAM functions of LR.

so if the editing of .EXR is a problem in LR just make it like the video support.
you could not do much with video in LR 3 but at least you can manage your video footage.

unfortunately LR is very limited in the formats it supports.

Report · Apr 19, 2012

Indeed, Paeter.

As you say, Lightroom is currently "very limited in the formats it supports."

Let's hope that changes in some future release.

Regards. ...pt

Report · May 03, 2012

and a good reason why it crashes and it has been useless for large files and network image storage

Report · May 03, 2012

AMMMMMMMMEEEENNNN!!!!!! For the love of imagery! Somebody listen to this man! (PT). I've been saying this myself and now found the right place!

Do not let it edit other foramts, No...just so we can see they exist! Hand off to the correct app to edit.
It should act as the MOTHER of Bridge and image files, as Bridge is crippled when it comes to networks, large files...it has no clue what to do and crashes. Lets leave bridge out of this.

We image makers need a MANAGER for ALL our image files, and since LR is being such a good Librarian, Give it some support to at least SEE! You have bottled up LR as if its some Fine Art ONLY tool that I'm gonna make some award winning archival print of Yosemite...Come on..We make images that get published in magazines, and websites and different color spaces...GEEZ why cant I know if the file is RGB or CMYK??16Bit or 8Bit..its in the Meta...Why cant I see that info??

People please ..if you think you should at least see previews of images...VOTE for this!

Only other option is to have another DAManager to license the preview of RAW developers from ACR/LR, and Capture One.

If LR does support other images, it would surely pull far ahead and gain large market share from C1 users.

Report · May 03, 2012

Bridge in CS5 doesn't work either. It is really waste of time.

I think of course it would be smart to approach LR like other DAM viewers...Enable the format you want it to support..Like ACDSee is rather good at this...but has other issues as it tries to be a RAW dev, and stretching itself as Video as well...so. (Besides its lack of support within its other amanger apps with Metadata ..a mess really).
LR has a very logical approach with organization. Metadata, libraries...lots of "safety warnings" before an execution, etc and makes it easy to use and manage. I think the LEAST LR can do is support its on family of product file tiypes..CS!!?? ..that is the you getting used to just marketing corporate mumbo jumbo...You the heck are you making this stuff for?!! Internal use only??

Report · May 03, 2012

BTW...I have yet to read the last 10 comments..
BUT The same way I would want LR to do more of what a DAM does....I would be TOTALLY for BRIDGE to be revamped to be JUST LIKE LR, and have the same stability as LR, and same everything in Library mode. I would expect to strip down LR to a DEV app only program. This I mention to keep corporate mindsets happy.

Think about it...Still Light Room...just when you are about to switch to the Dev tab we are familair with..It launches LR developer!
If this makes Adobe happy...then I am all for it. I just need a MANAGER that does as LR does, and is stable! I don't care what title it holds.

IDImager is great looking with the feature set...but Adobe is something I am used to for the past 24 years!

Report · May 03, 2012

You might want to get some help with that -- since other people are using Bridge just fine without so many crashes and problems.

Report · May 03, 2012

It might help. I think it has issues with large files, and the way it exoprts resize is amateur and clunky at best....Although I have only used it when CS5 was on its second update. I also read that it has issues with 64bit Win7 . Who doesn't use more mem than 4Gb these days when working with the average camera producing 14mpixels and more. In my case 22 to 40. and @ 16bits with a few layers within minutes you have a GB size file. If Bridge can't handle it..hand off to LR.

Report · May 03, 2012

I have gone and removed all the files it makes the 2 cache files in each folder and left it at that. ACDSee is much better at this, as it the Batch Resize tool alone , other than Batch Export is leaps ahead.

Report · May 03, 2012

"I would expect to strip down LR to a DEV app only program. "

I would be vehemently opposed to that, and I don't see why you'd be interested in that.

Report · May 03, 2012

To have a proper image manager. besides it would only be in the marketablility.

The interface would be the same, It would act as a module .

example.

"LR" is open..
click Develop Tab, and pops up the installed Develop module.
(the result is as we see in LR4).

Report · May 03, 2012

I totally agree, and have mentioned...Why not make a Raw Dev viewer?!! Have the DAManager read the preivew with the recipe used in LR or Capture One, or other developers ...And I don't mean this as a DNG solution. there are reasons not to us DNG. The developer makes a preview file in sidecar or someplace. Other viewers should be able to see this. period. This is 2 years nowI have been asking..I guess after buying over 5 pieces of software that SHOULD work somehow...they all lack this...COORDINATION as ummm, the sanscript name guy put it above. Its almost as bad if not worse in ways than the construction industry!

Report · May 03, 2012

On that note...WHY in the world would we have different color coding, Rating and metadata standards across viewers...WHY shouldn't I see what I rated X photo in ACDSee as I rated it in LR? Same with my Metadata info. Just no excuse for this type of un-professionalism.

Report · May 03, 2012

Lee Jay, You speak from the business model mindset that each subgroup being its own business entity. And you'd do ALL possible to protect it. While that may work for your departments numbers and statistic for what it is planned out to do... It doesn't translate to users! Very loyal, long time vested users... authoritative users in the industry, trend setters, teachers. NOR does it translate to Adobe as a whole. Just look at the Recent Activity topics, and the numbers. This is HIGH on the list. (Besides new users still learning how to remove a background in PS). You being vehemently opposed is stuck in the box thinking. I'm sorry. if its not your way its the highway...and that's just not good business practice. But what can we mere mortals do? sit on hands and hope it sees a financial stream and benifit for this...but you'd have to look past the 1-2 year forecast on your charts.

Report · May 03, 2012

I don't understand what you are talking about.

I'm a user. I use Lightroom. I don't own or use Bridge or Photoshop. That's why I don't want Lightroom "stripped down".

Report · May 03, 2012

Oh, are you saying you want to be able to buy each module separately? Given LR's relatively low cost already, what good would that do?

Report · May 03, 2012

Ok, lets make a LR(standard, and LRPro. standard the way it is...Pro would have LRLibrary, and Dev as 2 apps that work together yet are individual....Much like ACR/PS

Report · May 03, 2012

I would like LR to behave with unsupported formats
just as it did with video files :
Insert a placeholder in the catalog and redirect to
"associated" program on access.