Using Lightroom as an External editor for Elements

I just got copies of lightroom 5 and Elements 12.  I've been using Elements for years and really love the organizer. While I know that Lightroom should have the ability to convert an Elements organizer as of version 5.4, I find the Elements organizer far better for tagging, facial recongition and usage. I like having Lightroom as an editor for the first round of simple edits.  I figured out how to configure Elements to call Lightroom to edit a picture directly.  (Edit-> Preferences->Editing)  WIth that setting, I can now use lightroom on my photos.  I find the problem is when I finish in Lightroom the pictures do not get automatically imported back directly into Elements.  Is there a way to configure this?

Agreeing with 99jon, and adding that in my opinion, the only logical use of the two programs is to use the Lightroom Library Module (not the PSE Organizer) as the tool for organizing your photos, and the Lightroom Develop module as your primary editor, and the PHotoshop Elements Editor as the supplemental editor for the situation where you need more power editing than Lightroom provides.
Why? Because Lightroom is designed  so that it can relatively seemlessly send photos to PSE for extra editing and receive the edited photo back from PSE.
There is no relatively seemless way to have the PSE Organizer send photos to Lightroom and receive the edited photo in return. You will do a lot of extra work to make this work. I am also very skeptical about this statement, I don't think it opens your photos in the Lightroom Develop Module, but I admit I haven't tried it: "I figured out how to configure Elements to call Lightroom to edit a picture directly.  (Edit-> Preferences->Editing)  WIth that setting, I can now use lightroom on my photos."

Similar Messages

  • Using Lightroom as my external editor - worked, now broken

    For nearly two years, I used Lightroom as my external editor for iPhoto using the following process:
    1. Select 'Edit in External Editor'
    2. Select Add to Library (not Copy or Move) when the Lightroom import dialogue comes up so that LR is simply pointing to the file my iPhoto library
    3. Make all my edits in Lightroom (my original is left untouched at this point, and LR stores data about how to process the original)
    4. Export the photo from Lightroom into the same folder as the original using the same filename
    At this point, I would get a prompt saying:
    "The following files already exist:
    [path/to/file]
    Do you wish to overwrite the existing files, skip the existing files, or rename the exported files to avoid collision?"
    I could simply choose 'Overwrite' and my file in iPhoto would be updated with the changes from LR.
    This worked until right after Christmas. Then, in January, the process mysteriously stopped working for any new photos. Now, if I use the same process, I get the following warning:
    "You can not choose to overwrite the existing files since some of them are the source files"
    Interestingly enough, I can still go back to any of the pre-January images in my LR library and export them back into iPhoto, overwriting the original. I have not updated Lightroom at all, but I suspect I did download an update to iPhoto. Still, I can't figure out what is materially different, and what I might be able to do to get my old workflow back!
    Any ideas? And no, I don't need a lecture about the fact that iPhoto and LR are both image library managers, and that I should just switch to LR or use Aperture. I like the way iPhoto organizes my files (Events, Places, etc) and I only end up needing to edit 20% of the photos in an external editor. LR is definitely the editor I prefer and I'm not crazy about Aperture.
    Thanks dudes!

    Larry you fail to mention that using an external editor with iPhoto will not allow you to save your changes back into the iPhoto library.
    Unfortunate you simply are ignorant of how iPhoto works - when you use an external editor with iPhoto and save the edited photo it is returned to the iPhoto database and the iPhoto database is updated correctly.
    There are many Apple apologists on these forums
    No - but since these forums are for iPhoto support the users here are very experienced iPhoto users and do use iPhoto a lot - no apologies - just CORRECT information on how to use iPhoto (and if it will not doe what you want sometimes suggestions on where to go to do what yo want)
    and they will either try to convince you that other software is not as good
    I certainly have NEVER seen this - every piece of software has good and bad points - and again remember *this is an iPhoto support forum*.
    or totally ignore newbie users whom want to know how they can do something in iPhoto when it is not possible due to it's limitations.
    Once again this is simply incorrect - unfortunately you have no idea how iPhoto works or how to use it
    Rather, in my opinion I prefer to be honest
    Honest maybe - but very unknowledgeable
    and if another application does a function that iPhoto doesn't then I would personally point that out.
    Good plan - the problem is that you simply are ignorant of how iPhoto works and what it can do so con are posting erroneous information making false claims
    Your totally incorrect posts are unnecessary and could be confusing to users who want information - as the TOU state please TEST your assumptions before you post them here - totally incorrect posts like yours are not the least bit helpful
    LN
    Message was edited by: LarryHN

  • I am using both PSE 13 and Lightroom 5.  When I use Lightroom as an external editor and save the photo, it shows up in PSE13 as an edited file but does not look any different.  Why doesn't it appear edited?

    I am using both PSE 13 and Lightroom 5.  When I use Lightroom as an external editor and save the photo, it shows up in PSE13 as an edited file but does not look any different.  Why doesn't it appear edited?

    People who have Photoshop, but don't have Lightroom, need ACR so that they can use Raw files. Without ACR they could do nothing with those (they may also like having ACR so that they can work on other kinds of image using the same kinds of adjustments and techniques, as are used with Raw files).
    People who have Lightroom, can get access to Raw files regardless whether ACR is present or not. They can use Lightroom on other kinds of image also, using the same methods. LR can pass images directly into Photoshop without passing via ACR (or else does so transparently, which amounts to substantially the same thing).
    ACR does not, strictly speaking, even need to be installed for this external editing to happen. In fact, not even PS needs to be - since a different image editor can be used instead, while still retaining the Adobe Raw conversion etc.
    Lightroom "subcontracts out" specialised external tasks, in this workflow, but is still your "main contractor": the image is otherwise located, viewed, managed, adjusted/presented and output entirely using LR.
    So IMO we can divide image processing into:
    operations that involve pixels and layers and layer masks and adjustment layers etc (of the kind done inside Photoshop)
    operations that involve parametric edits (of the kind done in ACR where you are not using a Lightroom based workflow; otherwise, done inside Lightroom)
    When PS is called in, that's because those tasks are impossible or unsuitable to do in Lightroom. But those tasks can't be done in ACR either - by definition, since LR and ACR have exactly the same image processing "feature set".
    Lightroom is irrelevant to the Bridge + ACR + PS workflow. This workflow requires both your PS and your ACR to be current enough, to support your Raw format etc.
    ACR and Bridge are irrelevant to the LR + (image editor) workflow. It is in this case, only LR which needs to be current enough to support your Raw format etc.
    RP

  • If I use Lightroom as an external editor within iPhoto...

    how do I get the image back into iPhoto? There is no "save" command.

    Scott:
    If you have Photoshop or Photoshop Element I would recommend you use one of those as your editor of choice within iPhoto. That way you can just edit and save (as long as the format remains as jpeg).
    Using Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements) as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
    1 - select Photoshop as your editor of choice in iPhoto's General Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.
    2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.
    3 - however, if you get the navigation window that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
    This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
    NOTE: With Photoshop Elements 6 the Saving File preferences should be configured: "On First Save: Save Over Current File". Also I suggest the Maximize PSD File Compatabilty be set to Always.
    If you want to use both iPhoto's editing mode and PS without having to go back and forth to the Preference pane, once you've selected PS as your editor of choice, reset the Preferences back to "Open in main window". That will let you either edit in iPhoto (double click on the thumbnail) or in PS (Control-click on the thumbnail and seledt "Edit in external editor" in the Contextual menu). This way you get the best of both worlds
    2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.
    3 - however, if you get the navigation window that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
    This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
    Or you might consider using LR as your primary DAM (digital asset management) application and iPhoto for special projects as books, calendars, etc. Just export out of LR to iPhoto for those special projects. Otherwise the saving of any edit as a new file and importing into iPhoto is your other choice.
    TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier versions) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
    I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. There are versions that are compatible with iPhoto 5, 6, 7 and 8 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.
    NOTE: The new rebuild option in iPhoto 09 (v. 8.0.2), Rebuild the iPhoto Library Database from automatic backup" makes this tip obsolete.

  • Can I use lightroom as an external editor from Aperture?

    Could I use Lightroom to do edits on an Aperture file and then return the edited file to Aperture for saving or editing further?

    No.  You could use Photoshop or Acorn or Pixelmator or Gimp as external editors as they are all "pixel" editors.  But not Lightroom as it doesn't work the same way.

  • Problem using Aperture as external editor for Photoshop CS5...

    I am having trouble using Aperture as my external editor for Photoshop - if, for example, I select twenty photos and choose "edit in photoshop CS5," for some reason or another, only ten or twelve photos will show up. Some photos are always missing, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. Has anyone else noticed this? It is really frustrating and slowing my workflow down immensely. Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated!

    Hi Casey.
    First lets make sure we have the flow going the correct way.  You are using Aperture, and use PSCS5 as your external editor (external to Aperture).  Right?
    Second, what size are your Masters?  When you use PS directly (not calling it from Aperture) do you regularly open twenty files at a time?
    My Masters are about 25 MPix each.  PS sizes them in the 140 MB range.  Opening twenty of them at once -- for me that's about 3 GB of data -- will probably bog things down.  Does the problem occur if you open just, say, five at a time?  What's your hardware?  How do you have PS set-up?
    And -- my top suggestion for improving your work rate: do in Aperture as much of the work as you can, and send out to PS as little as possible.  You don't say what kind of work you are doing, but Aperture, for many, suffices for almost all of there photograph processing needs.
    Message was edited by: Kirby Krieger -- some minor changes.

  • Problem Using Aperture as an External Editor

    I'm having a problem using Aperture as an external editor for iPhoto. I've set preferences to "Edit in Aperture" and selected the Aperture application. When I click edit a photo in iPhoto, Aperture fires up as expected, but it does not load my photo. Nothing seems to be exported from iPhoto into Aperture.
    I can export the same photo to my desktop and then load it into Aperture fine.
    When I set preferences to edit in CS2, this works fine, only Aperture seems to be the problem.
    What am I doing wrong?
    I'm using the following versions:
    - iPhoto 7.0.2
    - Aperture 1.5.4

    If you have Photoshop CS2 then you'd have a better editor using it within iPhoto as follows:
    Using Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements) as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
    1 - select Photoshop as your editor of choice in iPhoto's General Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.
    2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop. When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done.
    3 - however, if you get the navigation window that indicates that PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file. You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
    This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
    If you want to use both iPhoto's editing mode and PS without having to go back and forth to the Preference pane, once you've selected PS as your editor of choice, reset the Preferences back to "Open in main window". That will let you either edit in iPhoto (double click on the thumbnail) or in PS (Control-click on the thumbnail and seledt "Edit in external editor" in the Contextual menu). This way you get the best of both worlds
    Do you Twango?
    TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
    I've written an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 08 libraries. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

  • Use of Photoshop Elements as external editor for JPEGS

    Hi,
    Aperture (1.5.4) only gives me two options for file format if I want to use Photoshop Elements 3.0 as my external editor. They are TIFF and PSD. I store my images on Aperture in JPEG.
    How can I edit them in JPEG format in Photoshop Elements and back to Aperture?
    Thanks
    MST

    To stay in the JPG world, you would export from Aperture using the export function, Import into Photoshop, edit, Save or Save As JPG, then Import into Aperture. Then re-group by manually selecting the original and the edited version and Stack.
    Do-able but not effective.
    The issue with JPG's is cumulative errors leading to visible artifacts every time you save. Artifacts very visible in solid color areas such as sky or painted walls as contours and bands.
    So, using the "Open with external editor ..." option allows you to round-trip as a PSD. Yes, it consumes incremental disk space vs. JPG, but the upside is substantially better quality. This is I assume why Aperture does not support JPG round-tripping, and I certainly wouldn't advocate the approach either.
    Note: JPG is an old standard by technology standards, which is its blesssing (universality) and its curse (poorer than needed performance). JPG weaknesses are well documented and Microsoft of all people created a new format recently and submitted to the JPG committee for standards approval: I believe this has been granted, and camera manufacturers are already starting to adopt. Thus the days of JPG as the preferred lossy compression algorithm for image files are numbered.

  • IPhoto 11 bug when using external editor (Photoshop Elements)

    In iPhoto 11, my iPhoto database is confused/corrupted whenever I edit a picture in my external editor (Photoshop Elements 8). I believe this is an iPhoto problem because the picture is not corrupted until I quit iPhoto try to re-open the edited version.
    Steps I take:
    1. Pick a file, and "Edit in External Editor". Duplicate of the file is made (ThisPic.jpg becomes ThisPic_2.jpg), and that duplicate is opened in PSE. I edit the photo in PSE, and hit Save - PSE updates ThisPic_2.jpg. I close PSE, go back to iPhoto, and I can do whatever I want to the file - double click to view larger, export, everything seems fine. When I pick "File | Reveal in Finder" and use either the "modified file" or "original file" option, they take me to ThisPic_2.jpg in the finder.
    2. Close iPhoto
    3. Re-open iPhoto
    4. Now, that file seems to be corrupt in iPhoto. I can see the thumbnail image for ThisPic_2.jpg, but nothing else works. I double click on the file, and I get a black screen with a triangle and an exclamation point in it. When I try to export the file, nothing happens.
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    I copied that file to the desktop, re-imported it into iPhoto, and I can access that photo again through iPhoto - everything works, even after I close and re-open iPhoto.
    I reported this through the iPhoto Feedback option. I thought I'd share what I found in case it helps anyone else.

    Welcome to the Apple Discussions. I get the same response when I follow your workflow. If you select the thumbnail of that photo and use the Photos ➙ Revert to Original menu option you will be able to view the photo in full size.
    Evidently editing in iPhoto with an external editor puts the edits on the duplicated original file and puts that file in the same Masters subfolder as the first file was imported into. Once iPhoto is restarted the links are messed up and the Revert gets rid of the "edited" link and keeps the link to the file in the Masters folder.
    It definitely is a bug. However, it's not taking up more space on the hard drive than the edit that resulted in a modified file linked to the original file. There still are just two files.
    Subsequent edits to the file with the external editor result is the edits being added to the file with no problems if iPhoto is closed and relaunched. The downside is that if you make 3 edits to the file you can't go back one edit. It's non reversible. The edited version can be deleted leaving the untouched original version.
    Subsequent edits to the same file with iPhoto work as usual, with a modified version being created.
    So Old Toad, I have just gone from iPhoto 9 to iPhoto 11 and step by step this is what is happening for me.
    In iPhoto 9 if I selected photoshop to alter an image it created one duplicate version of the image and put that into the modified folder and that edited image became the image you would see in the events viewer. All very logical.
    Now iPhoto 11 is doing the same for me but is creating multiple duplicates ie. everytime I select photoshop to edit an image. One image I edited recently has now got 6 versions in the library. If that is the way iPhoto works then that will be fine as it is doing it's job for me but the caviat is have I got 6 times the memory space being used up or does it just appear that way? If the memory space useage isn't being increased then I am OK with this new way of doing things but if the memory space is being used up then it is a fiasco - especially as apple are concentrating on writing their systems to use up less space than before in line with current thinking.
    Look forward to you clarifying this point if you can.

  • I just installed Photoshop and want to use it as the external editor.  I also have PS Elements on the computer and the only external editor I can get iPhoto to recognize is PSE.  Any help in changing the external editor to PS would be appreciated!

    I just installed Photoshop and want to use it as the external editor in iPhoto.  I also have PS Elements on the computer and the only external editor I can get iPhoto to recognize is PSE.  Any help in changing the external editor to PS would be appreciated!

    Welcome. I am using Photoshop CS5 and this works fine for me. Possibly Adobe has changed this in CS6. Hopefully, LarryHN will have further suggestions. Best.

  • "Use RAW files with external editor" greyed out for Photoshop CS2?

    I've just upgraded from iPhoto 5, and the "Use RAW files with external editor" option in the advanced preferences is greyed out when I select Photoshop CS2 as my external editor (back in the General pane).
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    Has anyone been able to get iPhoto 6 to send a RAW image to Photoshop CS2 using this preference? I've written an Applescript to do it in iPhoto 5, but I'd rather use something cleaner...
    15" PowerBook G4   Mac OS X (10.4.4)  

    Works great with Photoshop Elements, opens with Camera Raw. The issue is you can't save it so that iPhoto gets the changes.
    You have to save it and then re-import. I tried all permutations of saving it in originals and modified folders in the library. No luck. The only thing I didn't try is to save it as a jpeg over the top of the full sized one iPhoto created on import.

  • Photoshop elements 11 as external editor for iPhoto

    I have set up Photoshop Elements 11 as external editor for iPhoto on my iMac. I believe if set up correctly the edited photo should never leave iPhoto. When saving the edited version it should automatically appear in iPhoto. This is not happening. When either closing the edit window or choosing: <file : save> another dialogue box appears asking where to save the picture. Can someone please help me to set up Photo shop Elements so that the photo stays in iPhoto?
    [moved to PSE forum]

      Go to Photoshop Elements Editor >> Preferences >> Saving Files
    Choose:
    On first save: Save Over Current File
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  • Have set Elements 12 as external editor for iPhoto =, but pictures identified for editing don't appear in Elements

    Have just installed Elements 12 and nominated it as the external editor for iPhoto. When I identify a pic for edit in iPhoto and direct it to Elements it doesn't appear in Elements.
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    Usually that means you selected the logical file as your external editor instead of the correct one. The actual PSE editor is buried inside the Support Files folder:

  • Lightroom 3.2 external editor problem

    Hello,
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    Hi Charlie,
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  • Photoshop Elements12 as external editor for iPhoto

    How do I get IPhoto to use Photoshop Elements12 as external editor, when I can not select "Application" under the advance setting, as suggested. It shows PSE12, but the photo's do not open up in that application. The application opens, with no photo. What needs to be changed, and how do I do it?

    Using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements as Your Editor of Choice in iPhoto.
    1 - select Photoshop or Photoshop Elememts as your editor of choice in iPhoto's General Preference Section's under the "Edit photo:" menu.
    2 - double click on the thumbnail in iPhoto to open it in Photoshop.  When you're finished editing click on the Save button. If you immediately get the JPEG Options window make your selection (Baseline standard seems to be the most compatible jpeg format) and click on the OK button. Your done. 
    3 - however, if you get the navigation window
    that indicates that  PS wants to save it as a PS formatted file.  You'll need to either select JPEG from the menu and save (top image) or click on the desktop in the Navigation window (bottom image) and save it to the desktop for importing as a new photo.
    This method will let iPhoto know that the photo has been editied and will update the thumbnail file to reflect the edit..
    NOTE: With Photoshop Elements  the Saving File preferences should be configured as shown:
    I also suggest the Maximize PSD File Compatabilty be set to Always.  In PSE’s General preference pane set the Color Picker to Apple as shown:
    Note 1: screenshots are from PSE 10
    Note:  to switch between iPhoto and PS or PSE as the editor of choice Control (right)-click on the thumbnail and select either Edit in iPhoto or Edit in External Editor from the contextual menu. If you use iPhoto to edit more than PSE re-select iPhoto in the iPhoto General preference pane. Then iPhoto will be the default editor and you can use the contextual menu to select PSE for your editor when desired.
    OT

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