original cr2 files missing

[day6]

In the process of exporting updated CR2 raw files in LR1.3.1 I chose to overwrite the same files in the same directory. Then, it gave me an error message saying the export did not complete. I had the file folder open in the directory where it was supposed to overwrite the originals, and they all disappeared.

Now, when I open LR, it still shows the edited images as though they exist somewhere in my hard drive, but I don't find any of them on the harddrive anywhere. I can see the edited version in the filmstrip and they are categorized in the ERROR IMAGES folder and recently imported folder on the left nav area.

However, even after rebooting three times and reopening LR, they still show up and the original source CR2's can't be found anywhere on my hard drive.

I deleted the backups of these CR2's from my flash card.

Why does LR still show the images like they still exist, but I can't find the CR2's anywhere on my hard drive?

I can't export them because it keeps failing. When I click SHOW IN EXPLORER, it gives me the message that it can't be found.

I navigated the entire hard drive and can't find any of them.

HELPP!

 

[RipIt]

In the process of exporting updated CR2 raw files in LR1.3.1 I chose to overwrite the same files in the same directory. Then, it gave me an error message saying the export did not complete. I had the file folder open in the directory where it was supposed to overwrite the originals, and they all disappeared.

Exactly what were you updating? A CR2 raw file can only be written to via an xmp sidecar file. Once that is done there is no exporting necessary. Overwriting the file that you are exporting will delete the file that you are trying to export, therefore creating an error because the file is deleted immediately prior to being written. And since it is deleted it can no longer continue to be exported, as you have painfully discovered.

Now, when I open LR, it still shows the edited images as though they exist somewhere in my hard drive, but I don't find any of them on the harddrive anywhere. I can see the edited version in the filmstrip and they are categorized in the ERROR IMAGES folder and recently imported folder on the left nav area.Why does LR still show the images like they still exist, but I can't find the CR2's anywhere on my hard drive?

What Lightroom is showing you is the reference thumbnail/preview of the file that used to exist. This will remain in the catalog until you remove it regardless of where the original is. Since in this case the originals were deleted, by way of the export/overwrite then of course Lr will not be able to find them.
Unfortunately, since you have deleted the originals from the card too, your files are gone.

For future work, just know that when you have made edits to your CR2 files in lr then you do not need to export them in order to update them. The edit data is stored in the catalog. The data is also stored in the xmp file alongside the CR2 file on the hard drive. Control/Command S will make sure that xmp file is up to date should anything happen to the Lr database file.

 

[day6]

Okay. So what I don't understand is how I get the CR2 file that I updated in LR to display the LR edits in any other program that opens a CR2 file. In PS-CS3 or other RAW image viewer/editor, does the sidecar file get read in those files too or only in LR?

 

[RipIt]

The sidecar file does indeed get read by PS and ACR.

Create a test for yourself:

Import a cr2 file (just one will do)
Open a window on the finder so you can see the file at the same time
In Lr make a significant edit, such as a huge color shift
You should see a xmp file pop in next to the cr2.
If you dont then control s on the cr2 file in Lr. (that will save the data to xmp file)

Now, go to photoshop and open the cr2 file.
It will open in ACR and should show the same image as Lr as far as your edit is concerned.

BTW. The only reason you may have to Control S is because your preferences are not set to automatically write xmp files. From a speed standpoint this is a good thing.

If you want to avoid xmp files altogether then consider the dng format.

 

[Denis de Gannes]

Okay. So what I don't understand is how I get the CR2 file that I updated in LR to display the LR edits in any other program that opens a CR2 file. In PS-CS3 or other RAW image viewer/editor, does the sidecar file get read in those files too or only in LR?

Only ACR in PS CS3 or Elements 5/6 Win and Elements 4/5 Mac can read the develop settings from LR if saved to the xmp or dng(if you use).

 

[Denis de Gannes]

LR and ACR v3.x which is used in PS CS2 is not fully compatable with LR, it cannot read all the adjustments. ACR 4.x in PS CS3 is fully compatable if the LR settings are saved to .xmp sidecars or in a dng file.

 

[RipIt]

Okay. So what I don't understand is how I get the CR2 file that I updated in LR to display the LR edits in any other program that opens a CR2 file. In PS-CS3 or other RAW image viewer/editor, does the sidecar file get read in those files too or only in LR?

Now what I dont understand is why you would be wanting to open the file (CR2) with PS. Export it from Lightroom as a PSD or TIFF. Lightroom is your processing engine which is the same as PS CS3 (ACR)

Denis is right about the compatibility but you have already stated CS3 so you have no worries there.

 

[Denis de Gannes]

If you have LR and CS3 there are a number of options available to you.

(a.) Process your raw files using LR and save your edits to sidecars .xmp. Then open the raws using Bridge/ACR and your LR edits will be applied from the sidecars, send to PS CS3 for further editing and save the final output to tiff/psd/jpg to a folder of your choice.

(b.) Process your raw files in LR then select "edit in photoshop" function and LR will save as tiff/psd/jpg with the adjustments (according to your selected preferences) alongside the original raw file. Make further edits in photoshop cs3 and save the final file. You can also choose to save as option so you will now have three files the original raw the converted file with LR adjustments and a third with LR and PS adjustments.

(c.) Process your raw file in LR then export as tiff/psd/jpg to a folder of your choice. Open the file/s in PS CS3/CS2/CS and do further advanced edits and save. You can also choose the save as option as (b.) above and end with three files.

My preference is (c.) since I will do all possible adjustments to the raw files in LR then process as a batch export to a folder of choice. Then work with the files individually in PS CS if further editing, layers, filters, cloning etc is necessary. I do not have CS3 so (a.) is not an option for me. (not even sure if there is any workflow benifit here in CS3)

Then there is also the option to do the raw conversion with ACR in PS CS3 and save the settings to .xmp sidecars and use LR as a DAM tool.