Grahame Loc: Fiji

I recall that it used to be possible after working on a NEF raw in LR that upon exporting as say jpeg it was possible to have the sidecar file sent to the original folder in explorer. This was an option/function I'm sure I used at one time when considering using LR instead of ACR as I did not want to use the LR catalogue system.

Does anyone know if this is still possible, I can't find it at present?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Look at the Export options, but I don't see how you could route the XMP file to someplace different than the target for the Export image file. You can place the export in the same folder as the image in the LRCAT, or someplace new. But, everything being exported will go to the same target folder you've configured.

But more importantly, you now see the brilliance of the LR catalog, right?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"it was possible to have the sidecar file sent to the original folder in explorer."

If I understand, yes it still is. When you turn on the option of saving an XMP file in Lightroom Classic it is stored with the original RAW file with the same name. It is that way so that any program opening the RAW file will see the adjacent XMP file and read it along with the RAW file.

The check box to turn it on is hidden in Catalog Setting under the Edit menu.

Did you have something else in mind?

Grahame Loc: Fiji

Thank you very much, that is exactly what I was after having found it previously. Tested and working fine now with the .xmp going to the original raw files folder.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

Whilst the LR catalogue may be useful to some I still prefer to work with ACR when dealing with 100s of images as it's faster on my machine for some reason. Using LR there is a lag when when undertaking some operations. For instance a simple slider adjustment of exposure does not instantaneously change the image/histogram, they jump and even after cropping there is a wait with a grey blank screen, neither happen in ACR.

What has bought me to re-look at my workflow is that having just got a Z8 I found my culling system using Nikon ViewNxi would not recognize either it's Lossless Compressed or High Efficiency Compressed (45Mp and 33Mp respectively). Using ViewNxi gave the the exact same options/performance as FastRawViewer previously.

But, I then subsequently found that FastRawViewer does not recognise the new Nikon High Efficiency Compressed raw files.

The next thing I looked at for culling was Nikon Studio (their only presently supported software), it's slow but more significantly for some reason stops ACR (when you have loaded files from it) saving the .xmp to the original folder as ViewNx did. It also does not recognize the modified raw if opened again in it.

So I'm still looking at what my best workflow is going to be for 'speed' whilst considering both of the Nikon raw file types when dealing with events with high image numbers.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

You WANT the xmp sidecar file to stay with the raw file. If you have to re-import the file or send it to another Adobe program it will look for the editing instructions in the sidecar file using the same path.

I’m not sure there’s a way to send it somewhere else.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

I certainly wanted it placed there from LR because when I then archive that event folder, any mods I have done to the raw are with it within it's .xmp file. Saves processing it again if you simply want to produce it in another size or you have lost the LR catalogue.


Well, LR was doing it until Bill gave the solution above

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

You've likely done the google searching. In the Adobe sponsored Lightroom forums, speed and performance comes up. One odd improvement can come from turning off the GPU if it is old or the driver is out of date. Another is to have the catalog, not the image files, on the primary internal drive. Hopefully it is a SSD for speed. Here is a link to a reference file: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/optimize-performance-lightroom.html

Another option for those that prefer ACR to Lightroom is to use the very speedy Bridge file management software.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

Once again thanks for the help Bill.

I'll have a look at the GPU option although it's only a couple of years old. The LR catalogue is on the primary drive and has the latest driver.

As for Bridge, never looked at it previously but have just downloaded it and from a very quick play this may be the answer. Can open the selected files straight into ACR.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"Can open the selected files straight into ACR."

And:

1. Bridge is fast
2. Bridge is free
3. Bridge does not restrict how you move, copy or delete files like Lightroom does.

The downside is that you still have to have a copy of ACR on your computer. I think that only comes with a valid, current copy of Photoshop.

Grahame Loc: Fiji

I have now fully tested and familiarized myself with Bridge using folders with up to hundreds of NEF files. Whilst it does easily do all I require (delete/rate/allow 100% inspection where required) it does unfortunately suffer from significant lag at times, especially when wanting to zoom in for inspection of preview.

I have also gone through all the advice in the linked Adobe article and can make no improvements whatever I try. I'm coming to the conclusion that it could be that my system only has 16GB ram and the GPU only 2GB.