Re: About metadata and XMP

schachtb wrote:

 

I understand how LR4 maintains changes to raw files via sidecar XMP files.  All comments here indicate that changes to a JPG are maintained in the file itself.  I can see that the JPG file timestamp changes after a LR edit.  However, the edits appear only visible from within LR.  Viewing the file from Finder doesn't reveal any of the LR edits.  Can anyone shed light on how that could be? Since JPG is a standard format, how come the changes aren't seen from outside?  Are we SURE that they are housed within?  And as a follow-up, is there a way they COULD be seen from the outside??

I'll add to Richard's reply, from a slightly different angle...

One of the hallmarks of LR is that it doesn't modify an original image, irrespective of whether the image is RAW, jpg, or tiff. As you've seen, it may store the instructions for changes within an image file, but it treats every file that's been imported as an original. So, if you want a picture to be universally viewed with your changes in any software or on the web, you must create a new version by exporting, just as you would with a RAW. This will permantly "cook" the changes into a second copy of your original photo, using the recipe Richard mentions. Hope this helps.