XMP Data

[Wineman]

Can someone please tell me what XMP data is and if I can delete it? It appears as a file for every picture that I have opened in PS CS2.

I really don't want it so can I delete it - what does it contain? I still have all the original images as I shoot RAW

Thanks

[AlanJM]

Try this link http://www.adobe.com/products/xmp/

AlanJM

[BarryM]

From what i gather, the xmp file is any changes made to your raw file in raw converter, it stores the curves, exposure details etc, delete the file and your left with your untouched raw from teh camera. There is a choice in Photoshop although i cant mind offhand where, that instead of storing an xmp file next to each image, it stores the details in a database.

[esso]

Having just read the link offered and other comments I would advise ....delete it. There is just too much junk generated these days by people who have nothing to do but sit at their computers thinking of ways of automaticallly generating junk while calling it progress.

[BarryM]

But surely if you delete this file then you cause your "adjusted" raw image to be non adjusted and back to "off camera", not good if you want to keep an adusted raw/

[esso]

You have to save the new image (the image adjusted) so that by definition it is a different file. If you rely on the xmp files you can get into all sorts of trouble. I know of cases where people have gone through a whole set of wedding images and then ended up with a set of prints from the original set of pictures (prior to adjustments) simply because they forgot to keep the xmp files with the copies of image files that went to print. It demonstrates my point about mad ideas for 'keeping track' of everything in silly 'additional' files instead of keeping it simple and working without them. It is 'introduced complexity' and destined to create havoc. Delete, delete, delete, delete, delete, delete, delete.

[BarryM]

I wasnt aware that people sent off raw files for print, usually its tiffs and jpegs, i keep my raw files and their xmps (tiny files) on dvd, then take my tiff from them for printing.

[lostmysnorkel]

Yes, the .XMP files, called 'Sidecars' store the data relating to the changes you make in your RAW converter, for MOST versions of RAW files.

If you do your file shifting and shuffling therough CS2's Bridge, the XMP file will automatically travel with the picture file - hence 'Sidecar'.

Io nly have experience with Nikon's .NEF RAW files, and yes, those XMPs are a pain. I got around it, when I started to think about future compatibility of all the different RAW files out there ie: CS2 could read NEFs from the D70, but not the D70s - until a plug-in was produced.

What I now do, is simply convert my NEFs to DNG RAW files before going into the RAW converter - the data that would have been stored in the sidecar xmps, is now embedded into the DNGs. (DNG= Digital NeGative)

The converter can be downloaded from adobe.com for free although it does add an extra step in the workflow I've found that in th long run, it's better than having to hunt for the .XMPs two weeks later!

The added benefit is that as it is Adobe's own RAW format - it is likely to be around a lot longer than the manufacturer's own versions. They are really trying to encourage the manufacturers to adopt the DNG file as the industry standard RAW format.