tomcat

I had a very interesting LR processing session yesterday. I've used LR for years and always had the .xmp files to be stored in the same folder as the originals (on an external HD) when I export the pp images (as a jpg). A This morning the .xmp files are nowhere to be found in that same main folder where the originals are. The images still show up in the Develop module as having been processed and there is no "missing" message from LR so according to LR, they are not lost. So the .xmp files are somewhere, but I cannot locate them. I tried doing a search of one of the .xmp files on my hard drive and also the external HD where the originals are and I cannot find where the .xmp files are stored! I need to locate these because there is also a subfolder that has the best of the jpegs stored with them. I don't know what happened to cause this for this one job. I just finished editing another file and the .xmp files went with the original folder where they are supposed to be, so whatever happened was a one-time event, I hope. I would like to find these .xmp files so I can determine what happened and keep it from happening again, since I need access to the jpegs. Any advice on how to do another search for the missing .xmp files? I am running Mac OS.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Try this:
1.Press Command-Space to open Spotlight.
2.Enter the name of the file you are looking for.
3.The results appear in the list below.
4.Hold down the Command key to view the path directory.

This might help, too.
http://www.techradar.com/how-to/computing/apple/how-to-find-lost-files-on-a-mac-1309866
http://www.techradar.com/how-to/computing/apple/terminal-101-using-the-find-command-1305633

--Bob

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Using a search tool called Everything, I looked for xmp and found many. Windows search didn't find any. (Stupid Windows!)

https://www.voidtools.com/downloads/

Linary Loc: UK

I suspect that the xmp files either were not saved or the images they related to were possibly moved - the edited versions you see in Develop are there because the edits are written to the catalogue as well as xmp files. Open the Catalog Settings (on Windows its Edit > Catalog Settings) > Metadata and ensure that "Automatically write changes to XMP" is checked.

To create new xmp files (for raw files only) select them in the Library, choose Metadata in the menu bar and choose "save Metadata to file". After you have read the popup dialogue, xmp files will be created for raw files, all other file types will have the metadata written to themselves.

I assume you are talking about xmp files which attach to raw files - they do not attach to jpgs.

As for your missing jpegs, if they are in LR, a right click (Mac version) on any of the images will in the Library will bring up the menu which will find the jpg for you (Show in Explorer) is the Windows version. I am sure the Mac version h\as something similar.

RonBoyd

Yes, this is the way to do it. I just want to add that I use a program called Everything (http://www.voidtools.com/) to quickly (extremely so) find any file on my 12 internal and external hard drives. I takes a few minutes to read all the drives but, once it is done, finding a file is instantaneous. By part of name, ext, whatever.

(You do have to go through the Syncronization -- or whatever it is called -- after each reboot but, once done, it is dynamic until the next boot-up.)

sandiegosteve Loc: San Diego, CA

I think the default in Lightroom is to not write XMP sidecar files (or even jpeg updates). All of the information is in the database. If you set them to do it automatically, there is a chance of a performance hit. There is an icon on the thumbnails that will tell you the metadata has changed. When I am done, I select all and save the metadata as mentioned by Linary.

Lightroom has everything in the database. This is a way to back it up and a way to make your changes to another tool portable.

tomcat

Thanks for the tip about reestablishing the metadata files. I followed your instructions above and now the .xmp files are attached to the raw files in the original folder. I still can't figure out where the jpg went, but I was able to go back through the folder and save the edited raw as new jpg. So thanks a bunch for your advice.

sandiegosteve Loc: San Diego, CA

For that lost jpeg, are you talking about an original jpeg, or an exported one from a RAW?

If it is from an export operation, maybe you never finished. I've done that before wondering where I put it. As for metadata in exports, Lightroom by default doesn't include much (I think). I use a plugin called Metadata Wrangler to selectively choose what I export.

tomcat

Jpegs were exported as small groups of 3-7 images at a time to a sub folder labeled "LR edited"

sandiegosteve Loc: San Diego, CA

If you exported them, it could be in a lot of places and possibly under a different name. So, don't feel bad that you can't find them. If you export again, check to see if there are settings to rename and what the export location is. You might be prompted for a location, or it may be a default.

If you exported the jpeg back into the location of the catalogue, try doing a sync from within Lightroom. It may find them. There is also a setting to treat RAW and jpeg as a single image. Plenty of things working against you if you are not expecting them.

The good news is that if you exported, you should still have the original in LR. One day you may find the lost images and it will be like finding buried treasure.