• Welcome to the Lightroom Queen Forums! We're a friendly bunch, so please feel free to register and join in the conversation. If you're not familiar with forums, you'll find step by step instructions on how to post your first thread under Help at the bottom of the page. You're also welcome to download our free Lightroom Quick Start eBooks and explore our other FAQ resources.
  • Dark mode now has a single preference for the whole site! It's a simple toggle switch in the bottom right-hand corner of any page. As it uses a cookie to store your preference, you may need to dismiss the cookie banner before you can see it. Any problems, please let us know!

Non destructive, really?

Status
Not open for further replies.

mikecox

Active Member
Premium Classic Member
Joined
May 23, 2011
Messages
684
Location
San Diego
Lightroom Experience
Intermediate
Lightroom Version
I thought I was clear about "none destructive" edits but I'm beginning to wonder if there are exceptions to the rule.

I was editing an image and discovered I'd cropped it too much so decided to open it up and crop it again. But no matter what I did I couldn't get the crop to open up, so I could recover some of the image I'd cropped out.

The History was very short, so I couldn't back out of the crop settings I'd set early on, so I decided to just "Reset" everything, but the crop remained unchanged. So I've lost the part of the image I want back.
 
Is there any chance that you exported the image, and when you realized it was over-cropped you opened the exported image instead of the original image?

Opening the exported version would explain why History was so short and the crop could not be recovered.

Try any or all of these three things to verify that you're editing the image you think you're editing:

  • Choose Photo > Go to Folder in Library.
  • Choose Photo > Show in Finder/Explorer.
  • In the Library module, check the photo's File Name in the Metadata panel.

If you find out that you were editing the exported photo, revert all edits and go back to the correct image in the correct folder. You'll probably find a long History and the ability to recover any cropped area.
 
Hi,

Very short history and not able to reset the crop suggests to me a Virtual Copy. Is that a possibility?

Lightroom NEVER changes the underlying file, just as you thought.

Dave
 
Is there any chance that you exported the image, and when you realized it was over-cropped you opened the exported image instead of the original image?

Opening the exported version would explain why History was so short and the crop could not be recovered.

Try any or all of these three things to verify that you're editing the image you think you're editing:

  • Choose Photo > Go to Folder in Library.
  • Choose Photo > Show in Finder/Explorer.
  • In the Library module, check the photo's File Name in the Metadata panel.

If you find out that you were editing the exported photo, revert all edits and go back to the correct image in the correct folder. You'll probably find a long History and the ability to recover any cropped area.
Thanks Conrad,

When I import a set from my camera I change the name to reflect the date and time only. I don't rename images again until I have finished editing and arranging the set; then I add a number to the original name in order to maintain the order when I export them. I was editing a new set when this happened and all I had done with them at that point was assign star ratings and make initial crops.

I will keep your suggestions in mind, the next time it happens. But you have provided the answer to my question, by reinforcing the fact that this should not be happening and it must be something I'm doing.
 
What does the image look like if you view it outside of Lightroom?

--Ken
Thanks for asking.

The problem is Windows can't open CR2 files in Explorer! I know there is a utility that forces Windows to open CR2 files but it got removed while my computer was in the shop. I need to find and re-install, just been too busy, and since it isn't usually a problem, because I export my RAW files as jpg's and I can see them in Explorer just fine.

I think it's time to find that codec and try re-installing it!
 
You could also give FastStone Image Viewer a try. It reads the embedded jpeg in the raw file.

--Ken
I don't image that would for me since I only shoot RAW.
 
I don't image that would for me since I only shoot RAW.

There is an embedded jpeg within almost every raw file. This is what you see when you view your raw file with a program like Windows Explorer or FastStone. Few programs actually display the raw file data itself. LR's develop module does, as does FastRawViewer, but most use the embedded file as it is generally quicker to render.

--Ken
 
You could also give FastStone Image Viewer a try. It reads the embedded jpeg in the raw file.

--Ken
If you are shooting raw, why would you wish to see the embedded jpeg. Shooting raw you are the artist using the raw processor of your choice. If you wish to have the replica of the in camera jpeg, then use the processor supplied by your camera manufacturer, you will get an exact replica.

Lightroom or any other raw processing software offer you another option, why would you pay for another option that provides you with a rendition you already have for free?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Denis,

Before I got in the habit of always using Lr, it was handy to use a JPEG preview tool which could extract the preview from the raw file.
Especially when searching for an image; I used to flip through many images. Now, that I have them organized better, and that I know Lr somewhat better, the slower rendering speed of Lr does not bather me when searching for an image. I can narrow the selection of images fast enough that the jpeg preview does not matter to me anymore.

Tim
 
The link below is a test I did several years ago with different raw processing software applications I used at the time. The objects are chosen specifically so that I could compare the live objects with the different renditions.
The white balance was adjusted with each application using the Whibal natural tool included. Each application has its own unique rendition.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/baxter43/sets/72157625678052039
 
If you are shooting raw, why would you wish to see the embedded jpeg. Shooting raw you are the artist using the raw processor of your choice. If you wish to have the replica of the in camera jpeg, then use the processor supplied by your camera manufacturer, you will get an exact replica.

Lightroom or any other raw processing software offer you another option, why would you pay for another option that provides you with a rendition you already have for free?

The reason that I recommended FastStone is because the OP's OT was that he was having an issue in LR and could not view the file in Windows Explorer to see if the issue was also present outside of LR. FastStone was being offered as an alternative to Windows Explorer as a viewer.

--Ken
 
There is an embedded jpeg within almost every raw file. This is what you see when you view your raw file with a program like Windows Explorer or FastStone. Few programs actually display the raw file data itself. LR's develop module does, as does FastRawViewer, but most use the embedded file as it is generally quicker to render.

--Ken
I simply want to view my CR2 files in Windows Explorer, like I have done, seamlessly, in the past. I didn't need additional software, all I needed was a "Codec" that would force Windows to display my CR2 (RAW) images in Explorer. But, since I went to Win8, I am having problems finding the compatible windows codec that makes viewing my RAW files in Explorer.
 
I simply want to view my CR2 files in Windows Explorer, like I have done, seamlessly, in the past. I didn't need additional software, all I needed was a "Codec" that would force Windows to display my CR2 (RAW) images in Explorer. But, since I went to Win8, I am having problems finding the compatible windows codec that makes viewing my RAW files in Explorer.

Then just Google it...

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=40310

Anthony.
 
...all I needed was a "Codec" that would force Windows to display my CR2 (RAW) images in Explorer.


Anthony has given you the download link for the Win8 codec, but just to be crystal clear that codec simply allows the embedded jpeg preview to be shown in Explorer. You will not be seeing the Raw file, for that you need a raw converter such as Lightroom.
 
I too thought it would be that simple. I tried your link; which I'm pretty sure is the link found, and came up with the same issue I've been dealing with, it won't install on my Win 8.1 machine!


attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • Codec.jpg
    Codec.jpg
    88.2 KB · Views: 505
Last edited by a moderator:
I thought I was clear about "none destructive" edits but I'm beginning to wonder if there are exceptions to the rule.

I was editing an image and discovered I'd cropped it too much so decided to open it up and crop it again. But no matter what I did I couldn't get the crop to open up, so I could recover some of the image I'd cropped out.

The History was very short, so I couldn't back out of the crop settings I'd set early on, so I decided to just "Reset" everything, but the crop remained unchanged. So I've lost the part of the image I want back.
Since posting this I have observed that when I "Paste Settings" to an image the history disappears; everything except "Import lens Correction", which I set on import from my from the camera. There is no warning that doing this will wipe out the history.
 
That shouldn't happen, and doesn't when I try it. Make sure that you have the current (top) history step selected in the History panel before you do "Paste Settings" (as with any develop change, it is applied to the currently selected history step). So if your "Import lens Correction" setting is currently selected when you do "Paste Settings", all history steps above that are indeed wiped out.
 
Is there any chance that you exported the image, and when you realized it was over-cropped you opened the exported image instead of the original image?.
I didn't think so until I did some testing. First I discovered a lot of Jpg files in folder, in Explorer, that I thought only contained RAW files. I scratched my head!

Then I moved a RAW file to a folder by itself and exported it to an external drive and checked the RAW file I just exported and it had changed to jpg!!

Seriously? I have been laboring under the illusion that when I export a RAW file to another drive, and convert it to jpg, that the RAW file remained untouched, and a copy of it was sent to the external drive, as a jpg.

I'm scratching my head. How could I so misunderstand Export, for so long?
 
No Mike, that's not possible.....as you always thought, when exporting any file from Lightroom, the original file is never changed. Can you check again, and if there's still a problem can we have some before/after screenshots (Explorer views of the two folders, plus Export settings)?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top