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Lost
05-08-2011, 04:02 PM
I have only recently discovered the virtual copy option so maybe it’s something others are not using also. The biggest advantage is being able to have several copies of the one file without having extra files on the hard drive

To make a virtual copy:
right click on the image and click on “create a virtual copy”;
or go photo>>“create a virtual copy”;
or Ctrl+’ is the short cut.

The virtual will be a clone copy of the image with any Lightroom adjustments embedded. The thumb nail will have the bottom LH corner turned up so it is easy to identify. They will have Copy 1 or 2 or whatever on the end of the file #

Those several copies of the one file can be edited in different ways and they can be seen side by side on the bottom film strip or in the grid view.

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The put all copies on the screen: select grid view [hit “g” key] highlight the images [hold down Ctrl and click on the image] and then hit “n”

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Only when the file is sent to Photoshop or exported does the virtual copy become another file on your hard drive. Delete as any other file.

Happy to answer any posted questions if I can.

plusnq
05-08-2011, 04:16 PM
I love the virtual copies. Thanks Ian.

K1W1
05-08-2011, 04:18 PM
I love the virtual copies. Thanks Ian.

Me to they are great for trying different crops as well as different edits.

Scottymc
05-08-2011, 05:31 PM
Nice find mate. ill test it out

Saintsgirl
06-08-2011, 09:05 PM
Thanks Ian. Always knew it was there but forgot all about trying it.... I love editing some images in different "varients", but use to always edit, then export, edit, then export, so this will save me some time hopefully, and much better to see all the edits/varients on the same screen!

jeff
06-08-2011, 09:48 PM
For those who do not like virtual copies, another method of maintaining multiple edits of a single image is to save each edit as a "snapshot".

Lost
07-08-2011, 11:00 AM
Thanks Ian. Always knew it was there but forgot all about trying it.... I love editing some images in different "varients", but use to always edit, then export, edit, then export, so this will save me some time hopefully, and much better to see all the edits/varients on the same screen!
Like you and most others, I have known about virtual copies but only really worked out how to use them properly in the last few months. I still have lots of LR buttons and things to make work properly.

Thanks for the thanks folks; always nice to be appreciated.

Nath
08-08-2011, 08:17 PM
Thanks Ian. I didn't know about this but can definitely see uses for it.