Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC - Manual (Page 78)

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Importing photos
Last updated 4/20/2015
JPEG format
Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format is commonly used to display photographs and other continuous-tone
images in web photo galleries, slide shows, presentations, and other online services. JPEG retains all color information
in an RGB image but compresses file size by selectively discarding data. A JPEG image is automatically decompressed
when opened. In most cases, the Best Quality setting produces a result indistinguishable from the original.
Photoshop format (PSD)
Photoshop format (PSD) is the standard Photoshop file format. To import and work with a multi-layered PSD file in
Lightroom, the file must be saved in Photoshop with the Maximize PSD and PSB File Compatibility preference turned
on. You’ll find the option in the Photoshop file handling preferences. Lightroom imports and saves PSD files with a bit
depth of 8 bits or 16 bits per channel. To work with 32-bit images in Lightroom, save your file as TIFF.
CMYK files
Lightroom imports CMYK files but adjustments and output are performed in the RGB color space.
PNG format
Developed as a patent-free alternative to GIF, Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format is used for lossless
compression and for display of images on the web. Unlike GIF, PNG supports 24-bit images and produces background
transparency without jagged edges; however, some web browsers do not support PNG images. PNG format supports
RGB, Indexed Color, Grayscale, and Bitmap mode images without alpha channels. PNG preserves transparency in
grayscale and RGB images.
Video files
Lightroom imports AVI, MOV, MP4, and other digital video files from digital still cameras. For more information, see
Work with video in Lightroom .
File format exceptions
Lightroom does not support the following types of files: Adobe Illustrator®; Nikon scanner NEF; files with dimensions
greater than 65,000 pixels per side or larger than 512 megapixels.
Note: To import photos from a scanner, use your scanner’s software to scan to TIFF or DNG format, and then import those
files into Lightroom.
Import photos automatically
The Auto Import feature automatically imports photos into a Lightroom catalog by monitoring a watched folder for
photos and then importing them into a catalog. After you specify auto-import settings, you can simply drag photos into
the watched folder, and Lightroom imports them automatically, allowing you to bypass the import window.
Auto Import is useful if Lightroom doesn’t support your camera for tethered import: You can use your camera's
software to download photos from your camera to a watched folder.
Note: If Lightroom starts automatically when you attach a camera or card reader to your computer and you want to turn
off this functionality, change your import preferences. See
Set import preferences .