How to Install Lightroom Presets in Adobe Lightroom Classic

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Welcome to this comprehensive guide on installing Lightroom Presets into Adobe Lightroom Classic, designed to enhance your photo editing workflow whether you're using a Mac or a PC. Lightroom Presets are a fantastic way to apply new styles and effects to your images with just one click. In this guide, we’ll cover both manual installation and installation via the application, ensuring you can get started with your new presets right away!

Before diving into the installation process, let's briefly discuss what Lightroom presets are. Presets are predefined adjustments made to the various sliders in Lightroom. These can include changes to exposure, contrast, color, and more. By applying a preset, you can instantly apply a specific style or look to your photos, which is especially useful for maintaining consistency across a photo series.

For Both Mac & PC: 

1. Open Adobe Lightroom Classic: Launch the application on your computer.
2. Go to the Develop Module: You can switch to this module by clicking on ‘Develop’ at the top of the screen or by pressing ‘D’ on your keyboard.
3. Expand the Presets Panel: On the left side of the screen, you’ll find the Presets panel. Click on the small ‘+’ icon near the top of this panel.
4. Import Presets: Select ‘Import Presets’ from the dropdown menu.
5. Locate Your Preset Files: Navigate to where your presets are saved. They should be in .xmp or .lrtemplate format.
6. Select and Import: Select the presets you want to install (you can select multiple at once) and click ‘Import’.
7. Find Your New Presets: Your new presets should now appear in the Presets panel under a new group with the name of the folder they were in.

Tips

• If your presets are in .lrtemplate format, Lightroom Classic will automatically convert them to .xmp format during the import process.
• Make sure that Lightroom Classic is updated to the latest version to ensure compatibility with new presets.

For Mac:

1. Find the Lightroom Folder: In Finder, go to Users > [Your Username] > Library > Application Support > Adobe > CameraRaw > Settings.

*Note: The Library folder may be hidden. To access it, hold down the ‘Option’ key while clicking on the ‘Go’ menu in Finder.*
2. Copy Preset Files: Simply copy your .xmp files into the ‘Settings’ folder.
For Windows:

1. Find the Lightroom Folder: Navigate to C: \ Users \ [Your Username] \ AppData \ Roaming \ Adobe \ CameraRaw \ Settings.
*The AppData folder is hidden by default. You can access it by typing the folder path in the address bar of File Explorer, or by enabling ‘Hidden items’ under the ‘View’ tab in File Explorer.*
2. Copy Preset Files: Copy the .xmp files into the ‘Settings’ folder.

Final Steps:
After manually copying the presets, restart Lightroom Classic. Your new presets should now be available in the Presets panel.

Whether you choose to import presets directly through Lightroom Classic or install them manually, either method will efficiently integrate new creative tools into your workflow. Presets not only save time but also provide a consistent look and feel across your projects. Get creative and see how these presets can transform your photography!
Enjoy your newly installed presets and happy editing!
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