Location of virtual copies on a Mac

I made virtual copies for some of my pictures in order to do different crops.
While I can see the results in Lightroom, I am unable to see the file (or the .xmp if that's the result).
They seem not to be located in the same folder. but where???
Any idea?

There are loads, see here, but they usually only read bits from the xmp data. AFAIK only LR and Bridge will read everything that LR stores in xmp, but there may be others. As it is an open format I would expect to see greater usage of it being made, as tends to happen with most Adobe developed formats, unless somebody writes a better open format, in which case Adobe adopts it and abounded its original (as has happened with PSD). In the meantime it is the only way to transfer processing data around in image files without making permanent changes to a file, so we have to live with it!

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How to make copies/duplicates of photos in LR4 - NOT Virtual Copies

Can someone tell me if there is a SIMPLE way to make a copy or duplicate of a photo in LR4. In otherwords, you have a photo image in one folder and you want to make a copy and move it to another folder or subfolder and that copy is identical in EVERY aspect to the original photo and can be edited, manipulated, etc. without affecting the original. I can find nothing on this subject - all I keep getting is this VIRTUAL COPY which is NOT like the original and cannot be moved without the original (Master) going along with it. What's the problem? Every image program I know of can do this. BTW this in on a Mac Lion (10.8.4). Thank you, Brad

Rikk Flohr wrote:
new location - do not rename
Or same (or different) location, and do rename.
I do this regularly, but only for testing purposes. Note: Some people don't want to use virtual copies, because they are handled as "2nd class citizens" by Lightroom (e.g. not saved in xmp, and must tag along with master base copy...).
That said, I agree that care should be taken when having multiple (real) copies of same file, especially if they have the same filename (which I don't recommend, unless you really know what you are doing, and why...).
Rob

Are Virtual Copies saved in Backups? How do I insert a backup into an existing catalog?

Are Virtual Copies saved in Backups? How do I insert a backup into an existing catalog
I deleted a tif image file that I didn't intend to, which had several LR virtual copies created from it. The virtual copies had a lot of important history that document my print preparation edits. Are these virtual copies saved in the LR backups?
If so, how can I insert them into the catalog I am using? I have made a lot of edits in the two days since my last backup and don't want to lose that history either. Do you suggest I make a current backup before retrieving files from my last backup? I know I'm supposed to go to the backup location and open the last backup, but how do I blend that with the current work from the last 2 days?
Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks, Tom

Rob,
That was exactly what I was after. However, I'm still having trouble getting the virtual copies imported. The master file was in my trash, I restored it to the original hard drive folder. Before I got your message I re- imported it to LR but of course LR came up with a new name since I was importing from and saving it to the same folder in LR. And of course no copies. This may have been a mistake, but before starting the procedure you described, I re-named the master file (it seemed that the import from backup would re-create it so I didn't want a conflict).
Then I did what you said and used the 'Import From Another Catalog' feature. I found the virtual copies in the backup and checked them. But when the import completed, the it gave me file names xxx/Copy1, xxx/Copy2 but there was no image or history or metadata. When I tried to find the folder containing the files, it said it couldn't be found. So I missed something in the settings. When I tried again, there was a warning saying the file(s) exists in the catalog and its settings differ. I went ahead anyway and the message I got was "No Photos in previous import"
Here's what the import from backup shows:
A box with catalog contents and all the folders and files within them, that you can check.
A New Photos section, which gives 2 file handling choices: a)add new photos to the catalog without moving them or b) don't import new photos
A Changed existing photos section with 2 replace options: a) nothing or b) Metadata and develop setting only. If you choose this you can check a box to preserve old settings as a virtual copy.
Not sure what to do. I changed the master file back to its original name, but that didn't make a difference. Suggestions? Thanks, Tom

Where should I tell PE 12 to put its working copies on my Mac

When I initially set up PE on my Mac, I set the following for the working directories:
Capture Video : Same as Project
Capture Audio : Same as Project
Video Previews: Same as Project
Audio Previews: Same as Project
Media Cache: Custom
Disc Encoding: Same as Project
Actually…I don’t remember setting Media Cache differently, so maybe it is the default.
Anyway, this all seemed reasonable so I could tell how much was in each project and when I was done with the project, make sure everything got cleaned out. This worked pretty well since I manually move the media source files off to an external drive and if I need to work on the project again, bring them back to the same location. The project files are all under one set of directories and the media source files are all under a different set. Project directory stays small and grows slowly (as long as I make sure intermediate files are deleted), media directory expands and contracts in big increments based on what I manually do to bring media files into the SSD on my Mac or move off to slower NAS disks.
Then I turned on Time Machine on my Mac. I backup to an external USB 3.0 drive I periodically connect to my Mac (every couple of days). I keep it disconnected and in a fireproof box for safety. I looked on my Mac after a couple of days of not doing backups and was short 70 GB on my drive. Finder said I was using 226 GB out of 499 GB while adding up the directories only got me to 155 GB. Did some searches on Mac support and found out that Time Machine keeps local copies on my Mac (one an hour, then one a day). Also, it appears there is no way to disable the local copies or limit how much disk it uses. I know all the Mac guys will say to “just let it be, it manages it for you”. But since I want to be moving content on and off the SSD, that is not what I want. But that is how it is.
That brings me back to the PE working directories. When I set up Time Machine, I excluded the large media folders when I set up Time Machine since I knew I was going to be moving stuff in and out of there. Also I only read these files and have them already backed up elsewhere. However, I did have it back up the directory structure where my PE project files since there is the bulk of my work. I think that the Mac is backing up all the working files PE creates and deletes.
My plan now is to set all the working directories that are defined as “Same as Project” to new directory that I am going to create just for the Adobe working files and then exclude it from the Time Machine backup. I will also point Media Cache to that same directory.
My question is will it cause problems having a single location for all the projects? I can create separate subdirectories for each of the types of files (i.e. AdobeWorkingArea/CaptureVideo, AdobeWorkingArea/CaptureAudio, etc.). Also, is losing any of the data in these working directories an issue? Is there one that I should keep with the project data and backed up?

You can set your working files to be saved to wherever you want.
Although most people prefer to same them Same as Project, and save each new project in its own unique folder, just as a matter of housekeeping.

Virtual Copies Keep Spawning!

Hey all,
I've been talking to a friend who also used LR and I've noticed that every time she makes a change to one of the images, it generates a virtual copy. Anytime a change is made, no matter how small, another copy is made. She's tried to figure out how to change or even turn this off, but she can't. Any thoughts on this? She'll make a ton of edits but the virtual copies keep on spawning with every change she makes. If she ever deletes one of the copies, all of the virtual copies disappear, even the source image is deleted.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Jake

It wouldn't normally happen. She's probably doing one or more of
hitting the shortcut to create VCs (PC) Ctrl ' (Mac) Cmd '
creating new collections and selecting the box to create VCs
working in Develop in Soft Proof mode and set told the dialog not to show - reset this in Preferences / General / Reset all warning dialogs

Virtual copies are not synchronized in a second Lightroom catalogue although metadata are written in XMP and synchronization with metadata was selected

Dear community,
I operate one Mac with Lightroom 5.7 that is configured to store all metadata in xmp files. The Lightroom catalogue is stored locally on the Mac and only contains references to the images and their xmp files that are stored on a network device. There is another Mac with the same configuration having a separate local Lightroom catalogue and access to the same images on the network device.
At a starting point, both Lightroom catalogues are identical - they refer to the same images on the network device and contain the same metadata.
When I update image properties on the first Mac, these changes are reflected in the xmp file. After using the option "synchronize" with activated "metadata synchronization" on the second Mac, the modified image properties are visible on the second Mac. This is fine.
However, when I create a virtual copy on the first Mac, I realize that the corresponding xmp file gets updated. However, even after synchronization, the virtual copy is not visible on the second Mac. I may modify image properties of the original image and get these modifications replicated to the second Mac, but the virtual copies remain on the first Mac.
What needs to be done that also virtual copies get synchronized?
Thank you very mich for your support.
Best regards,
Peter

I do not doubt that File Export / File Import will work to transfer the virtual copies.
My question was related to the fact whether the imported folder should not previously exist on the second Mac.
Consider the following situation:
time = 0:
first Mac: folder A is in a first status
second Mac: folder A is in a first status
time = 1:
first Mac: folder A is in a second status, export folder A in second status
second Mac: folder A is in a first status, import folder A in second status
My question is: What happens with these two folder A on the second Mac? Does folder A in the Lightroom catalogue of the second Mac gets overwritten? Do I receive an error message because folder A is already present in the Lightroom catalogue?
I understand your answer that everything will be fine on the second Mac if there is no folder A at all at the second Mac while I import the new folder A. Under this assumption, I can import folder A and it will show the second status. Clearly.
My question is only related to the fact that there is already a folder A on the second Mac, with the same images, but with different metadata and/or virtual copies.

Virtual copies and smart collections

Previous answer not satisfactory.
Are virtual copies considered by LR to be the same image. Then why have them. They are different especially after I add more processing.
Therefore when i make a smart collection of aspect = square and rating is 3
all versions should show up. Not the way it seems to work LR5.7 on Mac 10.9
Then I sort at top for 2014 and select to go into a regular collection Best squares of 2014.
As it works now it is useless because I have to rely on memory to know I made a different version based on a virtual copy.
I consider this a bug... Again read my other post today.
If all you can do in collection is just the easy filters what is the point. I can do it manually.
If this take rocket scientist to code an algorithm to figure out virtual copies are different than originals then get them on it ASAP.
This is what gets me. If you know they don't work put it right out front on the help page what IT DOESN"T DO. BE HONEST
YOU are getting paid for that. Why should a customer have to waste his time when feature is obviously deficient.

Disclaimer: I have no idea what you're talking about, nor did I read your other post today. That said, here are a couple of points which may be pertinent:
* Virtual copies are 100% different photos (in the catalog database, in collections, etc..).
* Internally, the main difference between a virtual copy and a real copy is that the virtual copy omits the associated file and records the associated (master) photo instead.
PS - I recommend understanding how it works before jumping to conclusions about how it doesn't..
Note: be aware that there are master-photo/virtual-copy attribute filters in the library module (which remain active in develop module..).

Virtual copies are invisible to me in LR 4.3

When I create virtual copies, the total number of instances of the image goes up but I don't see any of the virtual images. I unstack and it shows they're unstacked and "1 of 2" but I still can't see the other. I've turned off all filters and still nothing.
It was happening in 4.3rc and is still happening in 4.3. It is only present in certain catalogs.

jasonjmp2 wrote:
I would have thought that when you are in the Libary in a collection and you make a virtual copy, LR would automatically add the copy to the collection that contains it's Master.
Yes, that is the expected procedure. The VC should be added to the collection automatically if it is created while working in the collection. And I never had a problem with this.
For all of you who have problems with VCs not showing where they are expected:
This could be due to a corrupt Preference File. This file can go "funny" and is then responsible for all kinds of strange behavior of Lr. The remedy is replacing the Preference File.
See here for where to find the Preference file for your OS: http://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/kb/preference-file-locations-lightroo m-4.html
See here for how to go about Replacing the Preference File: http://lightroomers.com/replacing-the-lightroom-preference-file/745/

Find and export Virtual Copies: Easy to add and ( i would argue) Necessary

I haven't found an easy way to go back and easily select all virtual copies in a library in order to export them.
A virtual copy is easy to miss and sometimes its hard to remember where you made changes in a large collection.
There needs to be a search option for file types in LightRoom that can find the virtual copies and allow them to be collectively exported as real copies.
If not a search function, then please simply insert a "save all virtual copies" option in the export area. Perhaps it could have the option to export all to their respective original file's folder OR to a designated edits folder with some tag to refer to the original location.
I would very much appreciate an official adobe contact if at all possible :-/

You can filter out Virtual Copies using a button on the filter bar located in the bottom right corner of the Lr application window (just above the filmstrip). Click a folder (folder panel) to narrow the filter to a specific folder or subfolders or the top most folder to show all virtual copies. You'll also find the second button will show only Master photos.

Lightroom 5 virtual copies disappear

HI there, just recently, maybe in the past couple months, anytime I make multiple virtual copies of images and then close and reopen lightroom, the copies have disappeared. I have a Mac with OSX 10.7.5. Thanks for any help.

How that happened I cannot answer!
To achieve the same I would- Select all images, press CTRL+' (the key with quote symbols) three times.
To view only the VCs (to delete?) you can filter for 'Attributes' and there is a toggle icon to show only VCs to the right of flags, stars, colors, etc.
You will need a smart collection to filter for VCs that have NOT been edited.

Lightroom virtual copies question

One of the advantages of virtual copies is thet you can have several copies, each with different processing for later comparison. Is there a consensus as to where you can keep notes unique to each virtual copy of the processing used.? The ol' mind sometimes leaks too much to remember what I did to each virtual copy and the history list is sometimes too cryptic to help.

Notes is something I really need. If LR created a place for us to store such notes, it would not be in the metadata and would not follow the image out of LR. Maybe that's OK. However, it isn't an issue because they don't provide anywhere for notes.
Since I really needed to know what I do with various photos outside of LR (usually PS), I started using the metadata field Special Instructions (called Instructions in LR) for putting in notes. These fields are all pretty imited in length. Special Instructions is one of the longer one at 256 characters. So I don't give details, just the general direction of what I did.
Note, if you do this, it just might show up in displayed metadata information. For example, flickr displays this field. I figure people don't need to know EVERYTHING, so I strip out this field before I upload. I was doing other metadata munging anyway to merge my location fields into description, so it wasn't a big deal for me.
Judy

I cant see my virtual copies on Lightroom

I try to create virtual copies in LR, but they are NOT visible, all filter and flags are off. Any help?

"Not visible,..." Where may I ask? Lightroom Library? Windows/Mac File Explorer?
Virtual copies are only ever visible within Lightroom.
Pressing [S] will toggle "stack"s on/off for all VCs of the one master image thumbnail. Try pressing [S]
"all filter and flags are off.." does that include the "Kind" icons at the end of the 'Attributes' filter tool bar?

Virtual Copies not written to files?

I have lightroom on both my office mac and my laptop. They both have their own catalogues but share the photo's other network.
They both have "Automatically write changes to XMP" set. And I right click on the folder and synchronize when changing between comps.
I seem to have run into a problem though. I used the create virtual copy function on the laptop to do some black and white version of some photo's. But coming back to my office comp, I've synchronized the folder but the virtual copies don't appear to have made the leap.
Is this to be expected, a bug or a lack of foresight?

Virtual Copies, Stacks and Collections are not exported to XMP.
To share such you need to export a Catologue and import on the other machine. Since they share the actual images you can just export the folders or collecions you are working with that have change without the "negatives" and previews.
THis will then share everything you have down nti just the normal stuff that gets exported to XMP.
Don
Don Ricklin, MacBook 1.83Ghz Duo 2 Core running 10.4.10 & Win XP, Pentax *ist D
http://donricklin.blogspot.com/

Virtual Copies And Collections Issue

I created a few virtual copies for the purpose of having B&W versions of images. Then I added a new collection named B+W and added these virtual copies to the collection. The counter for the collection incremented correctly but when I selected the collection, none of the virtual copies appeared there even thought they were counted in the collection.
Any one else experience this or can corroborate that this is a bug?
Jim

Similar problem, Jim. I asked about it twice in this self-inflicted thread:
http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx/.3bc36332/0
Got no response. Which is one reason I mentioned in the "Split This Forum?" thread that I'd be grateful for a stepped-up Adobe presence in the U-to-U. Because for all their generosity of time and spirit, even the most helpful users sometimes don't know the answer, and having somebody like George or Jeff jump in a say, "It's a bug; we're working on it," would save precious time.
Mac OS 10.4.9

All of a sudden I cannot create virtual copies nor can I import my corrected image from PS back 2 LR

All of a sudden I cannot create virtual copies nor can I import my corrected image from PS back 2 LR

Thanks Terence, I rebuilt my database....I was not aware that I could access rebuild tools by holding the command and options buttons. Like I said, I'm new to Mac. I was able to recreate my missing photo's but they aren't the same pixel quality as the originals, look kind of blurry....any thoughts on this???
iMac Core Duo 2.0 Mac OS X 10.4.6 Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Location of virtual copies on a Mac

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