metadata changes to jpeg/raw, import to LR?

[NJHeart2Heart]

Unfortunately I let my LR2 trial run out before purchasing the full product. I have to wait for 3 days (paid an extra $6 for quicker delivery!), until I receive it, but don't want to wait to continue my photo work. I currently own ACDSee Pro and would like to import my recent RAW files into it, add metadata information, then later import them into LR with the metadata. What is the most foolproof way to do this?

Related to that, is it true that if I add metadata to jpgs through LR2, then want to embed that data, it counts as a "resave", thus degrading the image? I originally thought I could embed without degrading the image, but just read something today that made me doubt it...

Thanks,
NJHeart2Heart
P.S. I changed my signature in my profile, but I don't see a way to insert it in my messages?

 

[NJHeart2Heart]

ok.. nevermind my signature question- apparently it inserts automatically, but the signature does not show when you preview your post...

 

[kwdaves]

No, writing metadata out to Jpegs and the like with embedded metadata fields using Lightroom or any other app I am aware of does not degrade the image. Exporting the image to a new one is what degrades the image.

I would take a long look at the ACDSee Pro help to see how compatible their sidecar files are with Lightroom before doing all that work on the RAW files.

 

[Denis Pagé]

[quote author=NJHeart2Heart link=topic=712'.msg484'6#msg484'6 date=1246914175]Related to that, is it true that if I add metadata to jpgs through LR2, then want to embed that data, it counts as a "resave", thus degrading the image? I originally thought I could embed without degrading the image, but just read something today that made me doubt it...[/quote]
Well, it is a resave for sure as you will see the date of the file changing. But be assured that no degradation of the image occurs! The reason is that the file is a container holding different sections for Metadata and Image data. Unlike other pixel editors where you save a JPEG again and that they also overwrite the image data section in the file, Lightroom will only overwrite the Metadata section leaving the image as it was when it came out of your camera!

 

[NJHeart2Heart]

Thanks to both of you for your advice. I looked briefly over at ACDSee, but haven't yet confirmed compatibility. I might just have to hold my importing/organizing until my LR comes in, but I'll definitely keep looking at ACDSee for word on compatibility for exporting sidecar files to another program.