On Thu, Jun 2, 2011 at 8:09 PM, Charles Robinson <charl...@visi.com> wrote: > The changes are actually embedded into the LightRoom database. You can > choose to have changes put into "sidecar" files or into the DNG files but you > can also have the original files be completely left alone (like, when you > point to a read-only copy of your RAW file which is on a DVD-ROM or > something... you can still make the changes because you're just storing - in > LR's database - a list of instructions for "what to do to this RAW file to > make it come out like this when printed/uploaded/whatever")
To expand a little on what Charles wrote: The changes, adjustments, etc that you make are instructions stored in the Lightroom catalog (database). The parameters for these adjustments can be written to the original image files (embedded into DNGs, PSDs, JPEGs, TIFFs, or written into .XMP sidecar files for native raw format originals) if you so desire, it's not necessary. Lightroom dynamically builds JPEG previews for use while you're editing the image files so you can see what the adjustment you make are doing. When you're done editing an image, you "export" the completed work as a new image file ... in JPEG, TIFF or PSD format ... for use in other applications (for web display, printing, incorporation as part of a book or page layout, to send to clients, etc). These exported images have realized all the edits you made into actual pixel values. You can also export a DNG file (raw file with embedded Lightroom processing instructions) if that suits your workflow best. Usually you do this to share with other applications in the Adobe Creative Suite for further processing or if a client requires a DNG raw file. I make it a policy to always export finished work at least as a full resolution, 16bit TIFF file in ProPhoto RGB color space for my archives. I also output JPEG files of finished work for display on my website locations and on my computer/pod/pad devices. I agree it is a good idea to download and work with Lightroom for a while before buying. I also suggest strongly that you obtain one of the several video tutorials and go through it, step by step, so that you fully understand the application before making a purchase decision. If you're not used to this type of editing environment, it will seem strange to you at first, but once you've become accustomed to how it works, you'll wonder how you managed to get anything done before you started using it. ... ! -- Godfrey godfreydigiorgi.posterous.com -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
