Two quick questions about Lightroom

[Deleted member 68495]

I want to import all my pictures to LR and have them convert to DNG however I want to retain the RAW image info and I believe I can import files, change them to DNG and retain the RAW file within the DNG. How do I do that?

How do I reset the LR catalog and have it start from scratch?

It's a shame that all the tutorials are in video format when I just want to search for a quick text answer.

 

[Chappers]

Both are simple: When you select "Convert to DNG" you have a tick box option to save the RAW file within the DNG. Don't forget though this will make each file nearly twice as big as either a DNg or RAW file. To create a new catalogue go to File> New Catalog

 

[Deleted member 49549]

I want to import all my pictures to LR and have them convert to DNG however I want to retain the RAW image info and I believe I can import files, change them to DNG and retain the RAW file within the DNG. How do I do that?

How do I reset the LR catalog and have it start from scratch?

It's a shame that all the tutorials are in video format when I just want to search for a quick text answer.

John - for what reason are you wanting to have an additional dog file instead of just your raw? I was looking at dog's year or 2 ago and didn't find anything compelling to add the additional step into my workflow.

 

[Furtim]

John - for what reason are you wanting to have an additional dog file instead of just your raw? I was looking at dog's year or 2 ago and didn't find anything compelling to add the additional step into my workflow.

An advantage to using DNG over RAW is that any lightroom changes can also be written into the DNG file rather than a sidecar XMP file, so you get to keep your workflow steps if the file is moved between catalogues etc. Not sure of why I'd embed the RAWE too through. DNG is likely more 'generic' and therefore future proof than a manufacturers specific RAW, but I don't think that either option is 'risky'

 

[Deleted member 49549]

An advantage to using DNG over RAW is that any lightroom changes can also be written into the DNG file rather than a sidecar XMP file, so you get to keep your workflow steps if the file is moved between catalogues etc. Not sure of why I'd embed the RAWE too through. DNG is likely more 'generic' and therefore future proof than a manufacturers specific RAW, but I don't think that either option is 'risky'

That is a slight advantage. But I back up my lightroom catalog and xmp files as well as my photos.

Writing lightroom changes to the dng does have its downside in that any simple change to metadata marks the dng as changed so requires a backup, whereas if you are using raw + xmp, only the amp needs backing up. Can make a massive difference if you wish to batch change keywords on a lot of picture.

Cheers David.

 

[Brian G]

I know storage is cheap these days and if you want to double the number of files on your system then it's your choice, but I can see no advantage in using DNG.
As for DNG being generic - it's only generic to Adobe.
When I backup my image catalog it backs up everything - my Lightroom settings are copied along with the image file, and I can still see all my LR edit information on my copy the same as the original.