How To Change Xmp File To Lightroom Template

This is a follow-upwards for reason #7 from my post on Mon called "If your Lightroom is running slow, information technology'south probably one of these seven reasons" (here's the link in case you missed the other 6). #7 was almost turning off having Lightroom automatically write .xmp files each fourth dimension you make an adjustment in Lightroom and I mentioned that almost Lightroom users should probably plow this auto writing of xmp files off. So, later on some questions, I thought today I'd practise a quick Q&A about XMP, when you should use them, and why in about cases you shouldn't).

Q. What is a .xmp file?
A. Information technology's a separate text file that holds any edits or metadata changes you fabricated to your RAW file. That'south ane seen above — the .xmp file for the RAW file with the same name, but its file extension is .xmp.

Q. Is that text file referred to every bit an .xmp file?
A. You'll hear it chosen either an xmp sidecar, just a 'sidecar file' or only an xmp file. Then, if somebody says to you, "Send me the RAW and the sidecar" you know they need your RAW file and that .xmp sidecar file — two files.

Q. I thought Lightroom kept all those changes stored correct in the catalog?
A. It does.

Q. So why would y'all also need to have a .xmp file?
A. If yous fabricated edits to a RAW file (permit's say you lot make the Exposure brighter, you pulled back the highlights, added some Clarity and cropped the image), and you needed to give this RAW epitome to someone else; perhaps a retoucher or another photographer in your studio, and y'all needed that RAW file to have all those edits you lot made to the file — that'southward when y'all would need to create a .xmp file. That .xmp text contains instructions for all those changes to your RAW image. Now, when they open that RAW file in a program that supports .XMP (like Photoshop for instance, or the Adobe Bridge, or even a dissimilar copy of Lightroom) as long as both the RAW file and the .xmp are there together, they would encounter the RAW file with all your edits.

Q. So, I don't need the 'Automatically Write Changes to' . XMP preference turned on?
A. I wouldn't recommend it — it slows Lightroom downwards. In fact, about likely you'll only need a .xmp sidecar file if and when you lot're sharing a RAW prototype you've edited with someone else.

Q. Do I demand an .xmp file with my JPEG, TIFF, or PSD files?
A. You do non — those edits y'all make are baked in the single file when yous export them from Lightroom.

Q. Is there a way to create just one .xmp file without having Lightroom slowing things downward all the fourth dimension past writing to a .xmp file every fourth dimension I movement a slider?
A. Absolutely, when you're done editing, and yous're ready to share the file with someone, in Lightroom just click on the file and then press Command-South (PC: Ctrl-S) and information technology creates a separate .xmp sidecar file with all your changes written into it.

Q. What would happen if I gave someone i of my RAW files without a .xmp sidecar file?
A. And then none of your edits/changes/metadata would appear when they opened the file on their computer. It volition exist every bit though they downloaded the original RAW paradigm from your photographic camera's memory card.

Q. Is there a way to share a RAW file, with my edits included, but without the 2nd sidecar file?
A. Actually, in that location is. Convert the file to a .DNG file. That way, the .xmp information is written right into the DNG file itself — no 2nd file needed. You would practice this in the Library module, nether the Library carte du jour up top; cull 'Convert Photo to DNG'

Q. How practice I turn off Lightroom's Automatic writing of .xmp sidecar files again?
A. You turn it off by going to the Lightroom menu (PC: Edit), go Catalog Settings; click the Metadata tab, and plough off the checkbox abreast "Automatically write changes into XMP"

Q. Hey, isn't this night the live circulate of British photographer Ian Munro's gallery opening at The Gallery at KelbyOne?
A. Information technology is, and you're invited to come check out Ian'south interview; come across his amazing work, and learn about the man backside the camera — all tonight at 8 PM ET. Information technology's gratuitous and open up to everyone. All the details are over on my daily blog today at scottkelby.com – no .xmp file required.

Hope you lot plant that helpful. Accept a keen weekend, everybody! 🙂

All-time,

– Scott