Difference between a Virtual Copy and a Duplicate: I use use LightRoom and routinely make several Virtual Copies of an image to explore more than one post-processing approach for the...

Nate Loc: Ann Arbor, Mi.

I use use LightRoom and routinely make several Virtual Copies of an image to explore more than one post-processing approach for the same image. I fear that has led to a disastrous consequence, namely, a warning that the image I am about to process is not the original and therefore cannot be used in LR. The question I have is--can I avoid the problem by using Duplicate rather than Create a Virtual Copy in order to have a number of workable copies of the original image---or is switching to Photoshop the better way to deal with the matter?

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I use virtual copies in LR and originals or duplicates in PS

Nate Loc: Ann Arbor, Mi.

Then, in LR...why is it I get a message saying the image I have on the screen is not the "original," and therefore cannot be processed? How does that serious problem originate, and how may it be avoided?

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Nate wrote:

Then, in LR...why is it I get a message saying the image I have on the screen is not the "original," and therefore cannot be processed? How does that serious problem originate, and how may it be avoided?

what version of LR are you using
I just made a virtual copy and was able to use the develop module without and error message Using LR 2015.7 CC

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Nate wrote:

Then, in LR...why is it I get a message saying the image I have on the screen is not the "original," and therefore cannot be processed? How does that serious problem originate, and how may it be avoided?

Something is wrong. You are supposed to be able to use as many Virtual Copies as you want through the entire LR process. Virtual copies are a set of recorded LR adjustments that are recorded in the Catalog. The actual original is only read and not disturbed.

Can you post a screenshot of the warning? Is the original still in its imported location? And, what version of LR are you using.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Deleted

Nate Loc: Ann Arbor, Mi.

I am using 2015.3CC
I seem unable to bring it up. But it has occurred several times in the past, and because I plan to do some serious pp next wk I thought it important to bring it up now for a screen shot. The message is explicit....it says this is not the Original and cannot be used for post-processing in the Develop module.....which is true---it cannot be done. It is devilishly difficult to find a way around it and ultimately I usually resort to dropping it it into PS and work with it there.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Nate wrote:

I am using 2015.3CC br I seem unable to bring it u... (show quote)

Nate
Can you take us through your entire workflow somethings does not make sense

Linary Loc: UK

Nate wrote:

I am using 2015.3CC br I seem unable to bring it u... (show quote)

I have been trying to replicate the problem, and the nearest I've got is to make a virtual copy, then outside of Lightroom I moved the original file to another folder which means that LR has now lost track of the original. I can still edit the virtual copy in the Develop Module, but cannot "Edit in" Photoshop, nor can I export the image. The grey area on the
virtual copy indicates a message which reads "20120103-DSCN0804.jpg" could not be used because the original file could not be found. Would you like to locate it?"

There follows the address of the previous location.

Is this the problem you have?

Nate Loc: Ann Arbor, Mi.

I am surprised that others have not run into the problem. I think it best that I hold off further discussions until the matter of concern occurs again and then reinter ithe concern...rather than to go through the routine off pp steps. Thanks....nc

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Nate wrote:

I am surprised that others have not run into the problem. I think it best that I hold off further discussions until the matter of concern occurs again and then reinter ithe concern...rather than to go through the routine off pp steps. Thanks....nc

You can do that, of course, but if its the result of some procedural mistake you're making in or out of Lightroom, its not going to go away and you'll be right back where you started. The bottom line is we can't really help you with a problem none of us has had unless you're able to walk us through what you did to get to this point. Can you at least give us the correct error message, word for word. I couldn't find anything worthwhile using Google. The exact error message may help us pinpoint the issue.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Lightroom catalogs your images and saves all your changes, etc in the database. A virtual copy is just that, the db adds a new image with a unique file name so you can, like i do, work on something without affecting your original file. A Duplicate is a copy of the original file with a new entry in the database. Same thing, just takes up more space.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Lightroom catalogs your images and saves all your changes, etc in the database. A virtual copy is just that, the db adds a new image with a unique file name so you can, like i do, work on something without affecting your original file. A Duplicate is a copy of the original file with a new entry in the database. Same thing, just takes up more space.

Not quite. A virtual copy uses the same original file. But in LR, the adjustments to the original are saved. As a virtual copy, you are keeping another set of adjustments to the original. But it is not another file.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

JimH123 wrote:

Not quite. A virtual copy uses the same original file. But in LR, the adjustments to the original are saved. As a virtual copy, you are keeping another set of adjustments to the original. But it is not another file.

Absolutely, that why the file is called a virtual copy. It really doesn't exist as a separate file, merely a different set of overlay instructions for the original image. You can have as many virtual copies of an image as you like. From Lightroom's point of view its as real as an actual copy or the original, and you can send virtual copies with adjustments to PS or Elements from within LR for further processing. You can even create virtual copies of virtual copies. It's one of my favorite features in Lightroom. Not sure if PS has anything like it.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Ignore