The xmp metadata is edited right from within Lightroom itself.

If you're in library module, all the boxes are on the right hand side.

You can even set some so that for instance, it adds a copyright to every

image as you import them, or you can set often used keywords in a group

ready to add to an image.

You might want to ensure that your xmp is held in sidecar files, rather

than contained within the image. That way you've got the most

compatibility with other programs.

-Agfaclack- wrote:

 

... or you use DNG and have the benefit that you don´t have to bother with cumbersome sidecar files.

 

depending on your camera it´s even possible you have better compatibility using DNG then the original RAW format.

I find nothing cumbersome about sidecar files. Lightroom manages them, so I don't have to. And furthermore, you can even run Lightroom without writing xmp to the sidecar files (or DNG files).

howmanypigginnamesdoitry wrote:

 

Does converting to DNG mean you can't use proprietary software on your

RAW files after that?

Yes, that is correct, the camera maunfacturer's software will not work on DNG files. Of course, you could keep the original RAW in the proprietary format AND the DNG for LR use.

That's an awful lot of storage space....

i have to copy a lot of files from and to harddisks, usb sticks.

it can happen that i miss one of the xmp files.

 

for some clients i have to rename the image files.

 

with xmp it´s extra steps to take care of.

 

As I said, Lightroom handles all of this, so you don't have to specifically manage your XMP files. Not cumbersome to me.

Now if you choose to do things outside of LR, that's your choice, although I see your point in that situation.

try this:

http://www.robcole.com/Rob/ProductsAndServices/CustomMetadataLrPlugin/

but keep in mind that the custom metadata you add is only stored in the LR catalog. it´s not saved to the images itself, it´s not saved as XMP.

i find this a major limitation.

it does not seem to be a plugin developer problem (as all plugins have this problem) but more a problem of adobe and lightroom.

adobe lightroom SDK seems not very flexible when it comes to customizing the metadata fields in lightroom.

there are other programs who are way better at this.

kind of a shame when you think who was the driving force behind XMP.

if you need better customization and full XMP support you may want to have a look at. http://www.idimager.com/