Imagen needs complete metadata from your photos to edit, cull, and train AI Profiles. This guide explains the two types of metadata Imagen uses and how to fix issues when metadata is missing.
Two types of metadata
Camera metadata for editing and culling
Camera metadata is EXIF data. It is information your camera automatically records when you take a photo. This includes: camera model, lens, ISO, shutter speed, flash status, date/time, and orientation.
Imagen uses it for:
- Editing and culling: Processing your photos correctly
- HDR merging: Grouping bracketed photos. Imagen needs: matching timestamps within 1 minute, camera serial number, flash status, and exposure values.
- Display orientation: Showing photos right-side up in culling
You'll see errors when:
- Uploading photos without metadata. See this guide for error 2180.
- Wrong photo orientation is in projects
- HDR brackets won't merge
Here’s the fix: Always use original camera photos. Don't use screenshots, exports, or images from non-camera sources.
Edit metadata for training a Personal AI Profile
Imagen uses edit metadata in Adobe XMP format. Edit metadata is the adjustments you make in Adobe software: Exposure, Contrast, White Balance, HSL sliders, and other develop settings with non-zero values. Imagen uses it to learn your unique editing style when training a Personal AI Profile.
If you upload photos to train your profile, and there isn’t any metadata, you’ll get this error:
Why exported JPEGs don't work
When you export a JPEG, the final image bakes in your edits, but the adjustment data in the slider values is removed. Imagen needs to see the actual adjustments, not just the final result.
Fix missing edit metadata
Imagen only reads editing adjustments saved in Adobe XMP format from Lightroom Classic, Lightroom, Camera Raw, Photoshop, or Bridge. Edits from other software like Capture One or Luminar won't work for profile training.
For RAW files
Editing adjustments are saved in separate XMP sidecar files (example: IMG_1234.CR2 + IMG_1234.xmp).
Lightroom Classic
When you upload from a catalog, the metadata is included automatically.
When you upload from a folder after editing in a catalog, you need to save the metadata to the photos.
- Select your edited photos.
- In the Library module, go to Metadata > Save Metadata to File.
- Upload the folder with both RAW files and XMP sidecars.
Lightroom / Camera Raw
- When exporting photos from the Cloud folder to the Local folder, click Share and then click Original + Settings.
- When uploading from a folder: Upload both RAW files and their XMP sidecars together.
For DNG or JPEG files
Editing adjustments are embedded inside the file itself, so no separate XMP file is needed.
Lightroom Classic
When you upload from a catalog, the metadata is included automatically.
When you upload from a folder after editing in a catalog, you need to save the metadata to the photos.
- Select your edited photos.
- In the Library module, go to Metadata > Save Metadata to File.
- Upload the folder.
Lightroom / Camera Raw
When exporting photos from the Cloud folder to the Local folder, click Share and then click Original + Settings.
Still need help?
If you still see metadata errors, reach out to our team with:
- The specific error code or message you're seeing
- Which Adobe software you're using
- Your upload method (catalog or folder)
- File format (RAW, DNG, JPEG)