XMP vs DNG (vs catalogue?)

[seanfin]

I am trying to decide going forward if I should stick with NEF+XMP or DNG files, but am quite confused about something (though I have read many of the threads here about it).

In several places I have read that all of the edits, metadata, etc. is stored in the LR catalogue file. If that's where it's all stored, then what gets stored in the XMP file? If I open the DNG file in another application, but the data is only in the catalogue, then will I not see any of it?

Thanks

Sean.

 

[Mark Sirota]

Right, everything is stored in the Catalog.

You can also store most of it in XMP data, whether that's embedded in the file (DNG, JPEG) or in a separate .xmp sidecar file (raw).

There is some stuff that is stored only in the catalog, and cannot be stored in XMP. Brad did a great writeup on it.

 

[seanfin]

That link is definitely helpful. I am still too new to LR to understand *all* of it, but I get the gist and understand better now .

Thanks

Sean.

 

[MarkNicholas]

That link is definitely helpful. I am still too new to LR to understand *all* of it, but I get the gist and understand better now .

Thanks

Sean.

I think we all agonise over this at some stage. To start with I did not like the xmp concept but stuck with it and now would never go back to not using them.

 

[Replytoken]

I like DNG because it can act as a "wrapper" or container so everything is in one file. IIRC, Victoria, our LR Queen, preferred sidecar files because there was less data to back up since only the sidecar files had changed since the prior backup. Different strokes for different folks, and another thing for your consideration as you try to decide what works for you!

--Ken

 

[parintele]

I do not use DNG, I want my RAW files in case i need to process them with another app except Adobe ones... DPP, the native Canon RAW processor is one example. Keeping RAW's as they were wrote by the camera is my first priority.

In this circumstances, XPM files are good enough and they also offer me the freedom to keep most of processing of the file in case sometime i will not have my Catalog or Lr available...I can still use only ACR.

The LR and CAtalog with all the extra info, sorting, flags, stars, collections, etc...are here, so... IF and when it will not be available, i will still have the RAW files and XMP files.

The only down regarding XMP compared to Catalog would be lack of VC's...I really use VC alot and it would be great to be able to have multiple XMP files for same RAW or to have all the VC's in the same XMP. No reasons for Adobe to implement such options and as long as LR is alive and kicking, no really criticall issue...
LR is and most probably will be my main app used for so many more reasons , so...

 

[Replytoken]

I do not use DNG, I want my RAW files in case i need to process them with another app except Adobe ones... DPP, the native Canon RAW processor is one example. Keeping RAW's as they were wrote by the camera is my first priority.

It does not have to be an either/or situation. I, too, want my RAW files for possible use with another program. When ingesting, I back up my RAW files before I create my DNG file. As storage is reasonably affordable these days. I see no problem in keeping both copies in back up.

--Ken

 

[Brad Snyder]

plus one, for Ken's method.
plus one, for Liviu's theory.

I work with DNGs in Lr, but I have the raws if I need them.

 

[parintele]

It does not have to be an either/or situation. I, too, want my RAW files for possible use with another program. When ingesting, I back up my RAW files before I create my DNG file. As storage is reasonably affordable these days. I see no problem in keeping both copies in back up.

--Ken

True, it does not have to but on the other hand I do not need DNG strenghts and I also try to keep things as simple as possible... It would be no problem to use both, i just don't and, as OP asked if and why RAW OR DNG i mentioned "my" way and reasons for that.
As a matter of fact, the tuth is we have various options and our choices are dictated by our needs and style.
RAW + DNG would be best for any situation but in any way i would not sacrifice RAW's and XMP data for only DNG