Backup XMP files

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MarkNicholas

MarkNicholas

Mark
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In addition to my regular backing up I have made an additional backup for all my xmp files. I basically used windows explorer to search my Canon 3'D folder for xmp files and then saved them all in one backup folder. Reason I am posting is to share some observations. The whole process took just 1' minutes for 942' xmp files. Maximum and minimum xmp file size was 99'kb and 12kb. Total folder size was 2'4MB.
 
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Well-known Lr guru Lee Jay Fingersh does it that way. He doesn't use any features of Lr that aren't saved in XMP metadata. Principally, in this case, VCs, Collections, and Pick Flags.
 
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[quote author=clee'1l link=topic=8694.msg58584#msg58584 date=1261447434]
Is this an automated scheduled process?
[/quote]

No because I am using explorer but it only take a few minutes. I just need to pull the trigger.
 
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Use a program like SyncBack or SyncToy to do this automatically and keep the XMP files together with the original files for easier restore.
 
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[quote author=Brad Snyder link=topic=8694.msg58585#msg58585 date=126145'7'8]
Well-known Lr guru Lee Jay Fingersh does it that way. He doesn't use any features of Lr that aren't saved in XMP metadata. Principally, in this case, VCs, Collections, and Pick Flags.
[/quote]
Which doesn't make it right....

In my view regularly backing up your XMP files is a waste of effort, and only makes sense if you don't use advanced LR features like VCs, Collections, Pick Flags, History. If you are the type who bites off your nose to spite your face....

In LR XMP files are there primarily for interaction with other programs, not as a backup medium. You'd be better off putting your effort into more frequent backups of your catalogue, and testing your recovery plan.

John
 
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[quote author=johnbeardy link=topic=8694.msg58599#msg58599 date=1261477722]
[quote author=Brad Snyder link=topic=8694.msg58585#msg58585 date=126145'7'8]
Well-known Lr guru Lee Jay Fingersh does it that way. He doesn't use any features of Lr that aren't saved in XMP metadata. Principally, in this case, VCs, Collections, and Pick Flags.
[/quote]
Which doesn't make it right....

In my view regularly backing up your XMP files is a waste of effort, and only makes sense if you don't use advanced LR features like VCs, Collections, Pick Flags, History. If you are the type who bites off your nose to spite your face....

In LR XMP files are there primarily for interaction with other programs, not as a backup medium. You'd be better off putting your effort into more frequent backups of your catalogue, and testing your recovery plan.

John
[/quote]

I use VCs but create a snap shot for every VC so its saved in the XMP file. I only ever use picks temporarily and only use smart collections, the instructions for which can be saved separately. Its only an extra backup. If I ever had to rely on it to restore my edits I would not shed too many tears at losing my history. It works for me and I know than my many hours of effort are doubly backed up somewhere. Catalogue is regularly saved as well.
 
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[quote author=Halfje-Bruin link=topic=8694.msg58597#msg58597 date=126147246']
Use a program like SyncBack or SyncToy to do this automatically and keep the XMP files together with the original files for easier restore.
[/quote]

Yes i use SyncToy for other backups of other documents. Will look at setting it up to save the xmps as well.
 
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[quote author=Halfje-Bruin link=topic=8694.msg58597#msg58597 date=126147246']
Use a program like SyncBack or SyncToy to do this automatically and keep the XMP files together with the original files for easier restore.
[/quote]That was going to be my next suggestion.

I use VCs but create a snap shot for every VC so its saved in the XMP file. I only ever use picks temporarily and only use smart collections, the instructions for which can be saved separately. Its only an extra backup. If I ever had to rely on it to restore my edits I would not shed too many tears at losing my history. It works for me and I know than my many hours of effort are doubly backed up somewhere. Catalogue is regularly saved as well.
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This is a sound plan (It must be since it is very much like mine). I've gone back and forth with VCs. Lately abandoning them completely in favor of multiple Snapshots which get written to a DNG instead of a sidecar file. I've also exported my Smart Collection settings so that there is a file outside my catalog that contains the parameters for the Smart collection filters.
 
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[quote author=clee'1l link=topic=8694.msg58611#msg58611 date=12615''782] I've also exported my Smart Collection settings so that there is a file outside my catalog that contains the parameters for the Smart collection filters.
[/quote]

Just do a small Export as Catalog - you catch them all in one go.

I stand by my comment about the pointlessness of exporting those XMP files for backup.

John
 
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[quote author=johnbeardy link=topic=8694.msg58612#msg58612 date=12615'1148]
I stand by my comment about the pointlessness of exporting those XMP files for backup.
[/quote]

I second John's comment about the pointlessness of exporting xmp files for backup.
 
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[quote author=dj_paige link=topic=8694.msg58616#msg58616 date=126151'131]
[quote author=johnbeardy link=topic=8694.msg58612#msg58612 date=12615'1148]
I stand by my comment about the pointlessness of exporting those XMP files for backup.
[/quote]

I second John's comment about the pointlessness of exporting xmp files for backup.

[/quote]

Oh, I agree as well, but wanted to point out the 'different strokes' thing.....
 
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[quote author=johnbeardy link=topic=8694.msg58612#msg58612 date=12615'1148]

I stand by my comment about the pointlessness of exporting those XMP files for backup.

[/quote]

I am not exporting (in a LR sense). All I am doing is physically copying / duplicating the xmp files and making an extra copy. My point was that it takes just a few mins to back-up thousands of xmp files. Belts and braces ?...yes and I sincerely hope that what I am doing does turn out to be pointless :)
 
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[quote author=johnbeardy link=topic=8694.msg58612#msg58612 date=12615'1148]
[quote author=clee'1l link=topic=8694.msg58611#msg58611 date=12615''782] I've also exported my Smart Collection settings so that there is a file outside my catalog that contains the parameters for the Smart collection filters.
[/quote]

Just do a small Export as Catalog - you catch them all in one go.

I stand by my comment about the pointlessness of exporting those XMP files for backup.

John
[/quote]
It must be the festive season as I strongly agree and support what John is saying here!!
The catalog is the back up item that is the easiest and contains all the info, everything else is diluting it's purpose!!
 
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[quote author=MarkNicholas link=topic=8694.msg58642#msg58642 date=1261528'1']

[quote author=johnbeardy link=topic=8694.msg58612#msg58612 date=12615'1148]

I stand by my comment about the pointlessness of exporting those XMP files for backup.

[/quote]

I am not exporting (in a LR sense). All I am doing is physically copying / duplicating the xmp files and making an extra copy. My point was that it takes just a few mins to back-up thousands of xmp files. Belts and braces ?...yes and I sincerely hope that what I am doing does turn out to be pointless :)
[/quote]
Mark, it only takes a few minutes to back up the catalog with even more info and it's automatic!!
 
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Backing up XMP files alone might very well be pointless. However having a good bulletproof system backup plan is not. If you do have such a plan, it should be backing up everything in your image folder which would include NEFs and XMPs. In theory, the NEFs and XMPs get a full back up once per cycle and a differential backup (just those that have changed) every other day of the cycle. With NEFs, it is only the XMPs in the folder that would be expected to be included in the differential backups. I think anyone that does not have a bulletproof system backup plan in place is putting their image data at risk. Sure Xmps can get recreated from the catalog, but it is a whole lot easier to reconstruct the folder from a backup than to try to put it back together with LR.
 
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Since the XMP contains only partial data about your work, it doesn't make the backup plan any more bulletproof than it already is. The restoration route is to restore the folder of images, and/or the catalogue.
 
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[quote author=Kiwigeoff link=topic=8694.msg58646#msg58646 date=1261547187]

Mark, it only takes a few minutes to back up the catalog with even more info and it's automatic!!
[/quote]

Geoff, I do back up my catalogue as well...very frequently. I just like (in addition) to have a separate backup of my xmp files. Call me paranoid if you like .
 
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