Lightroom .xmp files

Scott Ramsey

Senior Member
I typically save my Lightroom processed photos with the .xmp file. I think I read recently where producing/keeping that file might slow LR down some. Is keeping the .xmp really needed? My catalogue is saved on my computer hard drive and backed up to the cloud each time I exit LR. Thanks!
 

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
XMP files contain any changes/edits you've made to a RAW file. In LR, you have the option of saving them separately from the RAW file or saving them in the Catalog...If you're accumulating XMP files, before you discard them, you should test what's in your catalog files. I believe the option is an either/or situation and not a both situation. IOW, If you're writing XMP files, I don't think LR is saving those edits with the catalog.
 

Scott Ramsey

Senior Member
Thanks for that information Fred, I didn’t know that my catalogue was not being updated when writing .xmp files. As you suggest, I’ll look deeper into this before deleting them. I might just start out not producing .xmp on new photos and leave the others alone for now.

XMP files contain any changes/edits you've made to a RAW file. In LR, you have the option of saving them separately from the RAW file or saving them in the Catalog...If you're accumulating XMP files, before you discard them, you should test what's in your catalog files. I believe the option is an either/or situation and not a both situation. IOW, If you're writing XMP files, I don't think LR is saving those edits with the catalog.
 
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