Can I associate existing copies of a source file?

[bugsy]

Hey all,

I'm new to lightroom and I have been organizing my photos without it for quite a while. Therefore, I have my original RAW files that I have never modify. I also have modifed TIFF files (copies of selected RAW files) that have I have modified and adjusted for print. Finally, I have hi-resolution Jpeg files (copies of the modified TIFFs) that I use to actually print.

What I want to do is associate copies of the same photo together (source+TIFF+jpegs) so that I can stack them and treat them as versions of the same source rather than completely different files in lightroom. Is this possible?

The problem is all these copies we made before I started using lightroom and lightrooom thinks they are all different photos. Can I associate them in lightroom so that they are linked together.

I appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks
B.

 

[Brad Snyder]

bugsy, welcome to the forums.

Yes, you can 'stack' them. But it's likely all going to be completely manual. Lr can 'autostack', but only based on capture time. If your workflow has preserved the EXIF capture time in the various versions and derivatives, perhaps that'll work for you. Access stacking via Library Grid View menu > Photos > Stacking > flyout menu.

Food for thought going forward, Lr is intended to address this specific workflow that you describe. Generally you would keep only the original raw file. Any adjustments, edits, treatments you apply are maintained in a non-destructive manner. Provisions are made for creating mutiple versions within Lr by Virtual Copies, or Snapshots. Files intended for downstream processing, JPG, PSD or TIFF, are created, ad hoc, delivered downstream, and deleted. (Some saved RGB files are unavoidable, where processing external to LR is required, i.e. Photoshop, or third-party Lr 'plug-ins'. (Of course, these can be stacked.)

If you're very new to Lr, this is a lot to consider in one go, so feel free to keep asking....

If you think you'll be participating frequently, it's helpful to readers and contributors alike, if you build a signature block with pertinent computer and software specs. Camera and personal stuff (maybe a preferred name?) too if you like. Click 'User CP' at top left of forum.