Remembering export settings

[Guy Scharf]

I have a LR2 workflow question:

As I work with an image, I get to the point where I want to export the image, perhaps to a web site, perhaps to a file for printing. Can LR remember the export settings? Even if I use export presets, I may change those over time. How can I be sure I am able to reproduce the original export in the future?

The problem becomes even worse if I then refine the image further. I think in that case I would need to be sure to have a snapshot so that I can return to the original settings, but still need a way to remember the export settings themselves.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

 

[Sean McCormack]

An export preset will save the settings for export, but can't save the file settings. In this case a Virtual Copy might be better than a snapshot. Also you should probably create new presets rather than overwriting ones you possibly need later.

 

[stasber]

To add to this, you could also export to folders that are named in a format-specific way

I have a similar issue to you in that I like to keep track of images exported for different needs, such as Web, Print, Media, Watermarked, Unwatermarked, etc, etc.

Over time I found that I usually use the same settings, so those became my Export Presets, but to know 'which is where' I put them into their own folders within the main folder for those images. This includes knowing which application created them, as I normally would use LR, but could also use Canon DPP or LightZone.

I also have a sort of workshop area where I try things out, so if you're forever trying out export setting before deciding you want to keep them or not, this might be one suggestion; give the workshop area it's own folder path, then use the sub-folder option on the export dialog with each new test... as it's a testing area you can call the folders anything you like and don't have to conform to you official library hierarchy for fear of upsetting it.

 

[Guy Scharf]

Stas, thanks for the suggestions. I already use subfolders to separate output destinations (print vs web etc.) and suffixes to the file names to further clarify usage (e.g, xxx-8x1'-costco-luster to show print size, place, and paper surface). But I'm still left not having a record of options used in preparing the image.

As for what program generated a file, I can always find that in the XMP xap section. I don't see that info exposed in Lightroom, so that means using Bridge or Photoshop to see the data.

There is a metadata section for LR2 export plug-ins. But export itself doesn't record its settings there. That would perhaps be a useful extension to LR. Then there's the Photoshop history section which can record detailed Photoshop history, but that apparently is not used by Lightroom.

Bottom line for me is that I think LR should keep a record of this information, in the exported file if nowhere else.

 

[Brad Snyder]

Guy,

As for what program generated a file, I can always find that in the XMP xap section. I don't see that info exposed in Lightroom, so that means using Bridge or Photoshop to see the data.

For a lighter weight peek into the file (i.e. one without the massive overhead of PS/Bridge), I use XnView. Saves a lot of load time and memory footprint. If you always have Bridge/PS open anyway, nevermind