Converting CameraRaw settings from database to XMP "sidecar" files

After having started using Adobe CameraRaw in CS with the settings

saved to the CameraRaw database, I now have decided with CS2 to use

XMP files instead (better for archiving, etc.). Is there a simple

way to get my settings exported into XMP format? I'm using CS2 and

CameraRaw and have set it up to output the XMP files. I notice that

it does find the settings from the database, but it seems like I

have to select each image that is marked as "edited in CameraRaw"

and make a negligible change to get the XMP file. This also

requires me to select all those images / browse to all those

folders. I would have thought there would be a utility for this,

but perhaps the lookup to the settings database is strictly one-

directional and it doesn't know the locations of the files that the

settings should be applied to? Thanks for the help.

Not sure it will work, but have you tried in Adobe Bridge: Tools/Cache/Build Cache for Subfolders on the parent directory?

Brian:

 

I do not know of a utility that will do this but it might be useful for you to check in with the

Adobe forums and post your question there. If there is a solution, they will know it.

 

BTW, did you know that if you convert your raw files to DNG format, there are no XMP files?

The DNG format binds the metadata within itself. Very very cool for archiving and retrieval.

You can write an Action to do this. I am using Photoshop CS, but I suspect CS2 will do something similar.

 

Write an Action where you open the file, hold down the ALT key and the OK button on ACR will change to an Update button, click the Update button and ACR will write the settings to an XMP file. I would then select all images in the browser (bridge) and run the action on all images. I think this will generate an XMP file that contains all the setting you have set in ACR. Hope this helps.