PSE 2021 dropped Camera RAW Database?

[Frans2001]

I've used the database with PSE 2018, but can't find a choice for it in PSE 2021. Am I overlooking something?

[MichelBParis]

Yes, Adobe dropped the database for Camera Raw. I thought that was older than PSE 2018...

I assume it was because practically no one was using it.

[Frans2001]

So, now I'm going to use XMP and clutter up my folders?

[MichelBParis]

So, now I'm going to use XMP and clutter up my folders?

By @Frans2001

Think about it: there must be a reason why everybody finally preferred the xmp sidecar files to the raw database. I absolutely don't mind 'cluttering up' my folders since I use the organizer with its databases and don't care much about folders. You may find discussions about that organizing choice database vs xmp sidecars, but the only discussion about that in the present PSE forum was one I posted years ago. It did not get any answer or comment.

https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/user-interface-updates.html

Another link:

https://feedback.photoshop.com/conversations/camera-raw-and-dng/restore-embed-the-xmp-file-into-the-...

[TheDigitalDog]

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@Frans2001 wrote:

So, now I'm going to use XMP and clutter up my folders?

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"Clutter" up folders? No. Convert proprietary raws (assuming you shoot raw) to DNG, all that and more is stored in the DNG. 

[Phil Pickering · Accepted solution]

Hi Frans,

The ability to save image settings in a Camera Raw database was deprecated in Adobe Camera Raw 12.3 which was released in July 2020.

Here's Andrew Rodney (aka @TheDigitalDog) on the Camera Raw database vs. XMP sidecar files over on the Camera Raw Support Community:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/camera-raw/bake-xmp-changed-into-my-canon-raw-files/m-p/11280998#M116...

Not convinced? Here are some workarounds:

- Hide the XMP sidecar files: If you still maintain a folder-based way of organizing your images, here's a quick video recording I made of a way to hide the XMP sidecar files in Windows 10's File Explorer:

Just remember to unhide them if you're manually copying the image files to another folder/drive/computer or you'll run into the same issues that Andrew Rodney described when he was talking about the Camera Raw database.

- Revert back to Adobe Camera Raw 12.2.1: Use the steps outlined here to replace your current Adobe Camera Raw plug-in with version 12.2.1 which still contains the option to save your image settings in the Camera Raw database:

Update the Camera Raw version on your Mac or Windows machine

Here are some screenshots of Adobe Camera Raw 12.2.1 working in Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021:

Adobe Camera Raw 12.2.1 Splash Screen

Adobe Camera Raw 12.2.1 Preferences Dialog

- Convert all your images to DNG files: if you really don't like XMP sidecar files AND you want to run the latest version of the Adobe Camera Raw plug-in, convert all your images to DNGs using Adobe's DNG Converter:

Adobe Digital Negative Converter

Hope that gives you enough info to help you make an informed choice 🙂