Author Topic: Keeping Clipping Paths in Lightroom Exports (Read 8214 times)

pixel8 · « **on:** March 11, 2013, 17:49 »

I am not sure how to keep a clipping path with my Isolations that I do in Photoshop when I export them from Lightroom 4. Is their a trick to this or does Lightroom 4 not support keeping the clipping path when you export. If I don't take the photo back into Lightroom, the version I save in Photoshop keeps the clipping path, however I take it back into Lightroom for metadata and key wording.

Help Please!

Thanks.

steheap · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2013, 18:34 »

I think the answer is to export the "original" from Lightroom. My process for this sort of shot is to do the path in Photoshop, change to sRGB, reduce size (if necessary) and then save as a JPEG back into Lightroom. Then I do the keywording, finally, I "Save metadata to file" which, I think, puts the keywords into the JPEG, then I export as original file into a different folder for uploading. Export as original just makes an ordinary file copy.

Steve

Beppe Grillo · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2013, 10:00 »

Quote from: steheap on March 11, 2013, 18:34

I think the answer is to export the "original" from Lightroom. My process for this sort of shot is to do the path in Photoshop, change to sRGB, reduce size (if necessary) and then save as a JPEG back into Lightroom. Then I do the keywording, finally, I "Save metadata to file" which, I think, puts the keywords into the JPEG, then I export as original file into a different folder for uploading. Export as original just makes an ordinary file copy.

Steve

I am interesting to this too.
The fact is that exporting the "original" you just make a copy of it.
So if you original is a psd or a tiff you will get a psd or a tiff…

But what we need, as we are speaking about microstock sites, is the ability to export any format to jpeg with the clipping path included (and with the possibility to choose which clipping path if they are more than one).

I have asked on the LR forum.
The only answer that I have get till now (from a Lightroom Guru [!!]) is:
"Not possible. JPEG's file format does not support transparency or clipping paths"

Jpeg does not support clipping paths [

?]

So?

steheap · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2013, 10:13 »

I agree that the export as original function exports a raw file as a raw file - it is really just a file copy function. The reason it works for me is that the clipping path gets added in Photoshop, and I then save as a JPEG in the correct color space from PS and import into Lightroom for keywording. Hence the final step of export as original is only used on JPGs.

To remove a specific clipping path, I think you need to delete it in PS before you save as JPG.

Steve

Beppe Grillo · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2013, 12:15 »

Yes I do the same with almost all my images, after the elaboration in PS I flat the layers, I convert in 8bits and save as jpeg.
But sometimes, for some files, I prefer to keep the psd format with all layers.

I was just looking for a simpler solution to export then, in jpeg with a clipping path.
Apparently this function does not (yet) exist.

pixel8 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2014, 01:02 »

So its been awhile since I started this post but I feel ready to tackle this problem now.

I still am looking for a solution here. My process is to take my photo into Lightroom, add some adjustments then export to Photoshop with "Render Using Lightroom" do my touch ups then I save as a Tif and then I import the Tif into Lightroom for metadata and export as Jpeg as the finished file.

When I export to Photoshop from Lightroom it gives me two options, "Render Using Lightroom" and "Open Photo" I don't use "Open Photo" because it ignores my Lightroom Adjustments.

When I create a Clipping Path in Photoshop it does not save in the Tif I guess? I save as Tif because I think it save more information as where the Jpeg Compresses it. But I guess it doesn't matter since I am going to export it as a Jpeg anyway.

Beppe Grillo · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2014, 02:12 »

After you ave done all what you have to do (adjustments, corrections, conversion to sRBG, etc)…
You should, from Photoshop, flatten your image and save it as jpeg.
This jpeg file will keep the clipping(s) path.
Then you have to import this jpeg file in your Lightroom library, where you can put name, description and keywords.
When you want to export the file then you have to use the export "original” function (as already indicated by Steve).
Consider that once your file will be downloaded from the microsctock sites only the full size version will include the clipping path.

As I know there is no other solution.

pixel8 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 09, 2014, 18:51 »

Ok so I have to change my file from 16 bit to 8 bit then save as a jpg in order to keep the clipping path?

Because I saved my jpg at 16 bit and it did not work.

Also when exporting in Lightroom does it export at 16 bit or does it reduce it to 8 bit automatically as I would rather not lose quality for the sake of keeping a clipping path if Lightroom exports as 16 bit?

pixel8 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 09, 2014, 19:43 »

Update: So I have tried various combinations such as converting file to 8 bit and sRGB and saving as jpg then importing back into Lightroom, however it is not saving my clipping path either when it first comes into Lightroom or when its exporting out of Lightroom. I have tried 8 bit, 16 bit, adobeRGB, sRGB combinations and I have also tried sRGB and AdobeRGB combinations when exporting out of Lightroom.

I shoot in Raw so when I first import into Lightroom it has a Raw format not jpg.

pixel8 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 09, 2014, 20:43 »

Ok so here is my solution for keeping clipping paths with photo until I can figure something else out for those who are having the same problem.

Take photos in Raw
Import into Lightroom - Make adjustments and Do all MetaData
Save Meta Data
Export to Photoshop for Retouch
Save as jpg and put in your finish file to submit to sites.
Import jpg or tif (if you save a copy as a tif) back into Lightroom for your Library Reference

What you don't want to do if you are having the problem I am having is import jpg into Lightroom and then Export final copy to up load to the Stock sites. You want your jpg that was saved in Photoshop to be your final version for the stock sites. Any jpg imported onto Lightroom after its been through Photoshop will lose its Clipping Path so importing the jpg back into Lightroom would only serve as your way to view your collection in Lightroom.

Note: you do not have to change to sRGB in Photoshop if you prefer AdobeRGB also you're 16 bit photo automatically changes to 8 bit when saving as jpg.

clippinpath099 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 02, 2014, 06:46 »

Hi,
Thanks for sharing this useful information. I am also facing these problems. But, after read this discussion i really get solution and implementation make easy.

newbielink:http://www.clippingpathunique.com [nonactive]

JackHudson · « **Reply #11 on:** June 09, 2015, 05:16 »

Yeah I agree with Beppe Grillo. I think also that there is no other solution.

Thanks,
Jack Hudson
newbielink:http://clippingtimes.com/ [nonactive]

Difydave · « **Reply #12 on:** June 09, 2015, 05:30 »

The "proper" jpeg specification doesn't support clipping paths (at least from what I have read)
Only the Adobe (Photoshop?)version of jpeg does that.
Plain ordinary jpeg is an 8 bit format, not 16 bit, so some information is lost. Whether that makes a big difference in the real world or not is down to the eye of the beholder.

AaliyahLucy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2016, 10:39 »

The rest of this technique in the picture you see for yourself that there is a way to create an unique image. This is basically to keep the edge and live in a completely different picture is a great way to add value to the original. newbielink:http://clippingpathstate.com/ [nonactive]

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Author Topic: Keeping Clipping Paths in Lightroom Exports (Read 8214 times)

pixel8

steheap

Beppe Grillo

steheap

Beppe Grillo

pixel8

Beppe Grillo

pixel8

pixel8

pixel8

clippinpath099

JackHudson

Difydave

AaliyahLucy

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