As a photographer or graphic designer, you may have come across Lightroom presets, which are pre-made settings that allow you to enhance your images quickly and efficiently. They can save you time and help you achieve a consistent aesthetic in your work. However, what happens when you switch to a new computer or want to share your presets with others? That’s where exporting presets comes in.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the process of exporting presets from Lightroom, whether you’re using the desktop or mobile version. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to easily share your presets with others or backup your settings for safekeeping.
Exporting presets is an essential skill for any Lightroom user, and it’s important to understand how to do it correctly. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of exporting presets from Lightroom.
Overview of Exporting Lightroom Presets
Exporting presets from Lightroom is a straightforward process that can be accomplished in just a few steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Step-by-Step Guide on Exporting Presets
- Open Lightroom and select the presets you want to export.
- Right-click on the preset folder or individual preset and select “Export…”.
- Choose a location to save your preset files and give them a descriptive name.
- Select the file format you want to export your presets as. The two most common formats are .lrtemplate for desktop and .dng for mobile.
- Click “Export” and your presets will be saved to the designated location.
Benefits of Exporting Presets
Exporting presets has several benefits, including:
- Easily sharing presets with others: By exporting your presets, you can share them with other Lightroom users, which is especially useful if you’re collaborating on a project or want to share your presets with clients.
- Backing up presets: Exporting presets ensures that you have a backup of your presets in case of computer failure or loss.
- Preserving presets when switching devices: If you’re switching to a new computer or mobile device, exporting presets allows you to transfer them easily and quickly.
- Organizing presets: Exporting presets allows you to organize and categorize your presets so that you can easily find and use them in the future.
Now that you understand the benefits of exporting presets and how to do it, let’s take a closer look at how to export presets on the desktop version of Lightroom.
Exporting Presets on Lightroom Desktop
If you’re using the desktop version of Lightroom, exporting presets is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Open Lightroom and Go to the Develop Module
To access the preset menu, you need to be in the Develop module. You can do this by clicking on the “Develop” button located on the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Step 2: Select the Presets Panel
On the left side of the Develop module, you will see the “Presets” panel. Click on the small “+” icon located next to the presets header.
Step 3: Choose the Presets You Want to Export
Select the presets you want to export by clicking on the checkboxes next to each preset name. You can select multiple presets at once.
Step 4: Click on the “Export” Button
Once you’ve selected the presets you want to export, click on the “Export” button located at the bottom of the preset panel. A pop-up window will appear.
Step 5: Choose the Destination Folder and Save
In the pop-up window, choose the destination folder where you want to save your presets. You can also rename the presets if you want. Once you’ve made your selections, click on the “Export” button, and your presets will be saved to the selected folder.
Tips and Tricks for Desktop Users
- When exporting presets, it’s a good idea to organize them into folders for easier management.
- Make sure to keep a backup of your presets in case of any computer crashes or data loss.
- You can also import presets from other users by using the “Import” button located next to the “+” icon in the presets panel.
Exporting Presets on Lightroom Mobile
If you’re using Lightroom Mobile, exporting presets is just as easy as it is on the desktop version. Here’s how to do it:
Detailed Instructions on How to Export Presets on Mobile
- Open Lightroom Mobile and navigate to the preset you want to export.
- Tap on the three dots on the top right corner of the preset thumbnail.
- Select “Export Preset” from the dropdown menu.
- Choose “Save to Files” and select the folder where you want to save the preset.
- Rename the preset if desired and tap “Save.”
That’s it! Your preset is now exported and saved to your preferred folder.
Tips and Tricks for Mobile Users
- If you want to export multiple presets at once, you can do so by selecting them in the “Presets” tab and tapping the three dots in the top right corner, then selecting “Export Presets” from the dropdown menu.
- Keep in mind that exporting presets on mobile saves them as .dng files, which can be used in Lightroom CC for desktop and mobile, but not in Lightroom Classic CC.
- If you want to share your presets with others, you can do so by uploading them to a cloud service like Dropbox or Google Drive and sharing the link with others. They can then download the preset and import it into their own Lightroom Mobile app.
Exporting presets on Lightroom Mobile is a quick and easy process that can save you time and help you streamline your workflow. By following these simple instructions and tips, you can export your presets with ease and share them with others.
Troubleshooting Exporting Issues
Exporting presets from Lightroom can be a straightforward process, but sometimes, things can go wrong. Here are some of the most common issues that users encounter while exporting presets and how to resolve them:
Presets Not Exporting Properly
One of the most common issues is that presets don’t export correctly or don’t show up in the designated folder. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as incorrect file paths, corrupted files, or system errors.
To resolve this issue, try exporting the presets again, ensuring that you’re selecting the correct folder location. If that doesn’t work, try resetting Lightroom’s preferences or updating the software to the latest version. You can also try exporting the presets to a different folder or device to see if that resolves the issue.
Presets Not Appearing in Lightroom
Another issue that users often face is that the exported presets don’t show up in Lightroom after importing. This can happen due to file format compatibility issues, incorrect import settings, or corrupted files.
To resolve this issue, make sure that you’re importing the presets correctly, selecting the correct file format, and following the import settings correctly. You can also try restarting Lightroom or your computer to see if that resolves the issue. If none of these solutions work, try exporting the presets again or contacting Lightroom support for further assistance.
By troubleshooting these common exporting issues, you can ensure that your presets are exported correctly and are ready to use in Lightroom. Remember to always back up your presets and files regularly to avoid any loss of data.
Conclusion
Exporting presets in Lightroom is a straightforward process that can save you a lot of time and effort. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily share or backup your presets, whether you’re using the desktop or mobile version of Lightroom.
Remember, it’s always important to keep your presets safe and secure, and exporting them is one way to do that. Whether you’re a professional photographer or a hobbyist, having your presets organized and backed up is crucial for your workflow.
At Ngcloudy.com, we understand the importance of efficient workflow and the role that Lightroom presets play in achieving quality results. That’s why we encourage our readers to take advantage of the exporting feature and ensure their presets are always accessible and secure.
I hope this guide has been helpful to you, and you feel confident in your ability to export presets from Lightroom. As always, happy editing!