Xmp files??? How are they used? I just want to make sure I am understanding xmp files in Lightroom. I can safely delete the xmp files, right? And then have Lightroom make new ones? Here's the longer story if you are wondering why I ask...
My computer died the other day. I have a simple backup program that runs every night. This program copies changed files to an attached usb drive. It does not overwrite files that have changed, it adds a number to the file name. So after copying my pictures and LR catalog back, I see that I have a BUNCH of extra xmp files. About 700 images are affected, some having up to 6 renamed xmp files. The reason being I edited or tagged some images repeatedly over the course of days and each change got numbered and added to the daily backup. At first I panicked that I had made a big mess, then I reasoned that Lightroom doesn't actually use these files since they are optional and for use with other software. Have I got this right?? If not a problem, my plan is to do a *.xmp search and delete all of the xmp files. Then I would tell Lightroom to generate new ones. I have the box checked to automatically make these files, but I would be selecting my whole catalog and telling it to save metadata to file. Probably a long process. Or since I don't know how to use these xmp files anyway, maybe I should I wait until I actually need them before I make new ones? If that is the case, should I turn off the option to automatically create them?
Thanks for any guidance before I hit the delete button.
My computer died the other day. I have a simple backup program that runs every night. This program copies changed files to an attached usb drive. It does not overwrite files that have changed, it adds a number to the file name. So after copying my pictures and LR catalog back, I see that I have a BUNCH of extra xmp files. About 700 images are affected, some having up to 6 renamed xmp files. The reason being I edited or tagged some images repeatedly over the course of days and each change got numbered and added to the daily backup. At first I panicked that I had made a big mess, then I reasoned that Lightroom doesn't actually use these files since they are optional and for use with other software. Have I got this right?? If not a problem, my plan is to do a *.xmp search and delete all of the xmp files. Then I would tell Lightroom to generate new ones. I have the box checked to automatically make these files, but I would be selecting my whole catalog and telling it to save metadata to file. Probably a long process. Or since I don't know how to use these xmp files anyway, maybe I should I wait until I actually need them before I make new ones? If that is the case, should I turn off the option to automatically create them?
Thanks for any guidance before I hit the delete button.