XMP Files

[Tito87]

I didn't know where else to put this question, so I'm doing it here. Sorry for the intrusion, but I'd like to know if you guys keep the XMP files or delete them, and why. Thanks. I apologize if this is a stupid question.

[dakwegmo]

Originally Posted by Tito87

I didn't know where else to put this question, so I'm doing it here. Sorry for the intrusion, but I'd like to know if you guys keep the XMP files or delete them, and why. Thanks. I apologize if this is a stupid question.

I keep them; since I don't convert to DNG, it's the only way to preserve the edits I've made to the RAW files. When you open a RAW image, most editors will automatically load any prior adjustments they find in the sidecar files, but if you delete those files, you'll have to re-do all of the edits.

[Doug Pardee]

The XMP file contains all information about a Raw file that was added since the photo was taken. It contains any metadata you've added, any edits you've made with Adobe Camera Raw or Lightroom, etc.

If you get rid of the XMP file, all you'll have is the original, unadorned Raw file.

As dakwegmo hinted at, a DNG file can contain both the Raw data and the XMP data in a single file. Many DNG users like DNG for this very reason: with everything all wrapped up in a DNG file, they can get rid of the Raw file and the XMP file.

[Tito87]

I thank both of you for your quick and very helpful response.