3 Replies Latest reply: Sep 8, 2009 12:03 PM by bonalymac999 RSS

    Missing sidecar files

    bonalymac999 Community Member

      I've just discovered a few directories containing my CR2 Raw files are showing a question mark in the Lightroom Gallery. This says that

       

      "The following files (related to this photo) were present before, but are now missing", with the name of the .xmp file, and "The photo negative file is still present. Do you want to forget about the sidecar files, or continue to track them?"

       

      I searched the forum and found one question on the same issue, but no answer.

       

      I have copied over a few of these files from by back-up directory, but the question marks have not dissappeared.

       

      Any ideas how I might have done this. (I didn't knowingly delete xmp files). and how can I rescue the situation. Do I risk losing my keywording and devlop settings?

       

      Thanks

       

      Colin

        • 1. Re: Missing sidecar files
          J McWilliams Community Member

          Sidecar files are not strictly necessary, as your edits are contained in the catalog file, the .lrcat.

          If I recall, if there are .xmp files had been created, then deleted, they won't be created again unless you make a change in the edits. I would be inclined to deal with the ? as they usually indicate that LR has lost track of the image's location.

          • 2. Re: Missing sidecar files
            bonalymac999 Community Member

            I'm pretty certain that the ? does not relate to the image's location being moved, as there has been no movement there at all.

             

            The xmp files in fact contain GPS data. TThe images still show the gps data in the metada column so does that mena the lrcat file hold that as well?

             

            If so it seems that I can tell LR to "Forget" the xmp file.

             

            Is there a way to find all images where the sidecar is missing?

             

            Ta

             

            Colin

            • 3. Re: Missing sidecar files
              J McWilliams Community Member

              It looks like your catalog is providing the GPS data.

              As far as "missing" sidecars go, they are only missing if you want/need them.

               

              One way to get at this is to convert RAW files to DNGs- that'd take care of sidecars, and would also then highlight the ? as indicating a broken path, or something other than 'missing' .xml files.