Xmp Files - Have I Lost The Plot?

[Lesley Jones]

As some of you may know, we had to get a new PC a few weeks ago because the old one simply couldn't cope. I tried to copy all my Photoshop settings and yet things still don't seem the same. I remember seeing xmp files some considerable time ago, but I don't recall having to deal with them lately. I believe they are sidecar files that hold any changes made to the raw files. The thing is that I save any changes as dng files and delete the original raw (they are ARW from the Sony). My idea was to future proof the raw files in case there comes a time when the ARW files aren't recognised. I know dng isn't an official standard, but it is widely used.

The thing is, can I happily delete the xmp files too? I'm sure I can and the changes are already held within the dng file, along with a copy of the raw. I embed the raw along with a full size jpg. I do wish things weren't so complicated

 

[Pete Askew]

Your understanding matches mine Lesley. As long as you have the 'Ignore sidecar “.XMP” files' setting un-ticked in the DNG File Handling section of Camera Raw Preferences, the XMP files must have been associated with your original ARW files.

 

[Lesley Jones]

I'm still confused, but thank you. I did have that unchecked and then I checked it a couple of days ago. I've put it back again, but if any settings have dropped down the middle, I'm sure it doesn't matter. At least the PC hasn't fallen over once