I don't see my XMP Sidecar files saved alongside my original photo files in Lightroom 7 Local Mode

[bryceb30450710]

Hi,

I realize Lightroom 7 just came out a few days ago and there's still a lot of knowledge to be gained on how it works and perhaps some bugs to be sorted out.  But I'm hopeful for some help!

I'm looking into using Lightroom 7 in it's local storage and editing mode for editing moving forward - I've been waiting for Lightroom to finally address the local storage feature that's continued to keep Lightroom Classic alive as a legacy program.  Seem's like they finally have.

That said, I'm having an issue with finding the .XMP files that Lightroom is supposed to automaticallly save for .JPG files that I've ran test edits on.  I've looked in the location in whcih I'm sourcing the original .JPG from, which is stored on my iCloud Drive, but it's not there.  Also, there doesn't appear to be any 'hidden' files to the extent I can tell, and I've restarted both Lightroom and my computer, as well as given it time to sync.  Still no success.  Any help would be appreciated!

[JohanElzenga]

I don't think Lightroom will save .XMP files for JPEG originals. It would normally only do that for raw files. Metadata are saved in the headers of other files, such as DNG, JPEG, TIFF.

[Jao vdL · Accepted solution]

Johan is correct. Lightroom when using the local browsing mode stores xmp sidecars inside the metadata section of all file types that support it. This includes jpeg, dng, psd, tiff, png, avif, jpeg XL, etc. xmp sidecars are only used for proprietary raw files such as .nef, .crw, etc. Also note that while the new local browser is awesome and a very welcome addition, it is very very far from a replacement for Classic. You can't add these images to an album, you can't create collections, you can't search in sub folders in the browser (only in the curtrent folder), and you still can't do any of the things such as printing that Classic does. It really is a import panel with an option to develop the images while you're in it. It is akin to Bridge added to Lightroom Cloudy but less full featured than Bridge. It is a wonderful addition but it doesn't bring it much nearer to Lightroom Classic. Bridge is much better in this regard.

[bryceb30450710]

Thanks Jao (& @JohanElzenga)!

And noted that it isn't quite a replacement - perhaps my original claim was a bit too zealous.

One follow up question - if the xmp data for edits made to jpg, dng, psd, tiff, png, avif, jpeg XL, etc. is stored within the metadata of the file itself and not a sidecar file, will the edits stored in the metadata render (and furthermore be editable) in any photo viewing application such as Apple Photos, Preview, etc.? 

Thanks and apologies for the somewhat novice questions.