Why convert XMP to DNG?
A .xmp sidecar stores edits and metadata as plain text alongside a proprietary RAW file; converting the RAW+XMP pair to .dng bakes everything into one file, reducing the risk of the sidecar becoming separated from its image during moves or archiving. DNG, introduced by Adobe in 2004, is an open TIFF/EP-based format accepted by most photo applications.
How to convert XMP to DNG
Adobe DNG Converter FREE
Point the converter at the folder containing your RAW files; it reads each adjacent .xmp sidecar automatically and writes a .dng with metadata embedded, leaving originals untouched.
Adobe Lightroom Classic APP
Import the RAW photos, use Metadata > Read Metadata from Files to pull in .xmp edits, then convert via Library > Convert Photos to DNG with embedded metadata enabled.
About these formats
.XMP
Extensible Metadata Platform (sidecar metadata file)
An XMP file is a small plain-text companion file that stores metadata and editing adjustments (exposure, crop, keywords, ratings) for a camera RAW photo. It works automatically when you…
Open .XMP details →
.DNG
Digital Negative (Adobe DNG)
A DNG file is a RAW photo in Adobe's open Digital Negative format - unprocessed sensor data that you develop in software before sharing. On Windows, install the free Raw Image Extension to…
Open .DNG details →Quality & what to watch
- The
.xmpsidecar must share the same base filename as the RAW and sit in the same folder for Adobe DNG Converter to read it automatically. - DNG conversion is lossless for raw sensor data, but complex mask edits from
.acrfiles (Camera Raw 14.0+) may not transfer fully - verify edits after conversion. - Keep the original RAW and
.xmpfiles until you have confirmed the DNG looks correct before deleting them.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert the .xmp file to DNG without the RAW?
.xmp contains only text metadata; the RAW file must be present to provide the image data for the DNG.What metadata gets embedded in the DNG?
.xmp are embedded in the resulting .dng.
