.XMP files

[wsmyth]

There are pages and pages of items in this forum about .XMP files. I just want a simple explanation of why they exist, and what I can do with them.

I load an image and make modifications to it. I close the program without exporting the image. I look in the folder containing the image. I see only the ORIGINAL image, along with the .XMP file. The MODIFIED image is not stored there. The ORIGINAL image is stored there, along with the data in the .XMP file, which I believe contains the modifications to that image. So when I open AfterShot again, I see the MODIFIED image. This is being constructed from the ORIGINAL image plus the data from the .XMP file. Is this correct?

I can then export the MODIFIED image to anywhere that I want. When I do that, the folder still contains the ORIGINAL image and the .XMP file which can be used to construct the MODIFIED image. The MODIFIED image is placed wherever I put it. Correct again?

Now, what happens if I want to remove any of the edits (one-by-one or all at once) like I can in most other photo editing software. Can I do this after I have closed the image and started working on another image, or have closed the program completely?

If not, this .XMP file is worthless. Why not just save the ORIGINAL image and the MODIFIED image. I cannot use the .XMP file to change edits, or do anything else. Can someone explain why this file exists?

[wsmyth]

I wish someone would comment on this. Thanks.

[hannes_hab]

„... the .XMP file, which I believe contains the modifications to that image ...“
That’s correct! Also correct what you say in the next sentence!

Not modifying the original (the raw-image) is the main concept and the most important thing in software like ASP! A RAW converter with non-destructive workflow.

The advantage is that you have one original raw image (and a .xmp which is automatically created) and you can make many versions out of it (without many copies of that image) and many different output images.

And sure you can go back through all steps. With the normal undo or with history (if you work with catalogs - which I would recommend). Another approach is to create a new version with every main step or to use correction steps with layers.

When using catalogs be sure to have the option to generate AfterShot XMPs for catalogs turned on in the preferences.

So:
- undo your edits using <CTRL+Z>
- "Apply Default Settings" (<CTRL+R>) resets your photo to the settings that were specified as default
- "Apply Initial Settings" (<CTRL+SHIFT+R>) resets the image to its state at the start of the session when in file system mode or for images inside an AfterShot catalog, to itsstate when it was imported
- <SHIFT+CTRL+H> displays the edit history for the current image - there you can go back to a point you choose by clicking on that line in the history

Never modify the image outside of ASP - if you what to modify it with an external program use "the send to external editor" within ASP - never delete images outside of ASP (although it remains in catalog and everything is restored when you restore the file from the recycle bin - never delete the .xmp files.

See also:
http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php?f=95&t=46386

https://www.aftershotpro.com/en/product ... /#learning - User Guide
https://www.aftershotpro.com/en/product ... /#learning - Video Tutorials

Hope this helps!

[wsmyth]

Thank you so much for replying. Before I got very far in the 46386 thread, I came across another basic question.

Is AfterShot and AfterShot Pro ONLY for RAW images. Everything in this thread refers to RAW images. Can I use it to modify JPG images?

I ask this because when I purchased PaintShop Pro, I got a free license for AfterShot 3, not AfterShot Pro. I have received conflicting information about which of these programs to use. Not only that, I had a running thread with a Corel employee who told me that once a photo is closed (in either PaintShop Pro or AfterShot Pro), the edits can not be undone. It appears you are telling me otherwise.

This employee did not tell me about catalogs, which appear to be something I should use. Can you direct me to a thread or tutorial that explains catalogs?

[hannes_hab]

You can use ASP for .jpg (only supports 8bit) and .tiff (8 and 16bit) also. But if your camera supports raw then shoot raw (or raw+jpg). For me ASP is the main image manipulation program - I very seldom use other programs (gimp, pixeluvo, eclipse).
I don't know how it is with PSP but with ASP you can undo also after you close the image or the program.
Just try.

About catalogs :
-ASP manual page 35
- viewtopic.php?f=95&t=46386
see Library

read the manual - look at the tutorials and also read the posts from afx

when downloading your pictures from the CF or SD-card (download batch) you can also import them into a catalog.

- viewtopic.php?f=95&t=46386
see Ingest

You have to play a little bit to see whats fine for your needs.