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How to Duplicate or create a Virtual Copy in Lightroom CC?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
May 26, 2018
4 replies
31058 views

I must be missing something obvious. In my Lightroom CC Classic workflow, I frequently create a virtual copy of an image and then make adjustments on the virtual copy. This leaves the original alone and unedited. I've gotten used to that workflow - but now I can't find a way to do the same thing in Lightroom CC. I don't find either a duplicate or a virtual copy menu item - what am I missing?

Thanks,

Scott

Correct answer JP Hess

If you right-click on an image there is an option to "Make a copy". This will create a copy of the image. It isn't designated in Lightroom CC as a virtual copy. However, I just checked in the linked catalog in Lightroom Classic CC, and it shows as a virtual copy there. In Lightroom CC, both images show in the info column as original and backed up. Not very intuitive, but that seems to be the way it is.

gswierczynski

New Participant

Keep in mind that in Lightroom CC (non-Classic) it is called Duplicate on purpose (even though most likekly only one RAW copy is stored in cloud, Adobe charges for each duplicate - when you create a duplicate it counts agaist your quota). If it were called Virtual Copy it would be somewhat troublesome to charge for additional space (apart from the applied changes which is <1MB).

S

savanna30405895z6qc

New Participant

So I'm a recent convert from LR6 to LRCC and am having trouble with this. I've been able to make a duplicate, but it will not export the original or the duplicate when I try to export them. any ideas? It keeps giving the error 'this file could not be found'.

Velile Sipho

Known Participant

I create multiple duplicates regularly. I have never had this problem. I always change the time stamp of each to differentiate them. Possibly try that? It could be that the OS is not letting you Crete identical files simultaneously?

Jim Wilde

Community Expert

Consider using Versions on the phone/tablet in lieu of a duplicate function.

T

TravisGarcia

New Participant

Ok how about doing this on Lightroom mobile? On an iPhone?

JP HessCorrect answer

Inspiring

If you right-click on an image there is an option to "Make a copy". This will create a copy of the image. It isn't designated in Lightroom CC as a virtual copy. However, I just checked in the linked catalog in Lightroom Classic CC, and it shows as a virtual copy there. In Lightroom CC, both images show in the info column as original and backed up. Not very intuitive, but that seems to be the way it is.

IWV

New Participant

Jim, that is correct, however since your post, the most current version of Lightroom CC ver. 3.0 2019 1017 uses the word "Duplicate" rather than "Make a copy", or any other nominclature. If sometimes you don't see the duplicate after creating one, there might be a number on the thumbnail. Double click and LRCC will explode the dupes onto the "filmstrip" at the bottom of view. Hope this is helpful for you and others using Lightroom CC. Btw, I still use both Lightroom Class and CC - each for very different reasons and functionality.

Velile Sipho

Known Participant

In LR CC 2021 a number is only created if the file was edited in PS from LR. If a picture is duplciated it appears briefly, then disappears. No number is appended. There is no stack. How does one find the picture and return it to its proper place in the album?

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