Moving between LR, CS3 and back

[Hiace_Drifter]

When I take a RAW image from LR into CS3 it converts the file into a .psd (for example). I can then retouch the photo, save changes. I now have the original RAW file, and a .psd file with layers. However, if I make further LR changes to the .psd file (say a grayscale conversion), it seems impossible to see those new LR changes in CS3 and keep the layers intact.

So, the way I see it, you can "Edit Original" in CS3, which keeps the layers but loses the LR adjustments.

Alternatively you can "Edit Copy with Lightroom Adjustments" which keeps the LR adjustments but loses the CS3 layers.

Is there a way to keep both sets of changes in one image?

Someone please help, I've been having nightmares about this - no joke! :shock:

 

[Brad Snyder]

LR just doesn't know what to do with layers.

I think the solution (and somebody correct me if I'm wrong) is to 'Edit in ....' CS3 as a 'smart object', but that's only available in LR2 (not the 1.4.1 in your sig) and that turns out to be pretty buggy in the 2.'.' release.

Again, I don't do a lot of PS transfers, so I may be wrong.

 

[Hiace_Drifter]

Thanks Brad. I was wondering whether the Smart Object feature would come to my rescue... I'll see what other people say.

My problem is I want to do some retouching, then do mono conversion, then use Unsharp Mask.

With regard to that last point, does LR2 sharpen as well as Unsharp Mask in CS3? If it does, then that plus Smart Objects would tempt me to upgrade to LR2.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Nope, whenever you apply LR adjustments to a file, it's also to a flattened file, so make any adjustments before creating the PSD, if you want to keep layers. But if you're just going back into PS to USM, do you still need it layered? Wouldn't a flat version work for you?

As to LR 2, it sharpens *differently* to USM in CS3. The capture sharpening in Develop hasn't changed between 1.4.1 and 2.', but it's now added output sharpening to Export. That's based on the Pixel Genius Photokit Sharpener algorithms, and it's very good. Whether it'll suit your purposes, only you can decide.