Saving files in RAW

[crockny]

OK I found my xmp file and "original" RAW which looks edited because the xmp file is affecting it (do I have that right)? What if I want to do further editing starting where I left off ... is that available? If I do what LeeR says, I'm startig all over again, right? This seems rather complicated but I think I'm beginning to get the idea ... I do love RAW, I have to say ...

And it seems like deleting the xmp file is not the way to go?

[vsa]

You have the dng you saved before so you should be fine even if you decide to delete the xmp file. You can move the xmp file to another folder so it's not in the same place as the cr2 file. So then you'll have the "original"... when you move the xmp back to the same folder with cr2 the effects kick in again. The sidecar file can be a bit of a pain in the ass so I suggest converting to dng already when you import the images from camera.

Dng includes the xmp in itself so there's no sidecar file. So you could make a copy of the dng and rename it and continue to work with it while still having the already edited dng.

Just fiddle with them long enough and it won't feel as complicated anymore. There should be a way in all raw programs to make the image go to it's original state no matter how many sliders you moved back and forth so don't worry too much. :)

(did any of that make any sense? :D)

[crockny]

Yes, you've been very helpful -- thanks!