Tutorial: How to Import Presets in Adobe Lightroom and Lightroom Mobile
Presets in Adobe Lightroom are a powerful way to apply consistent and creative edits to your photos quickly. Whether you're using the desktop version or the mobile app, importing and using presets can greatly streamline your editing workflow. In this tutorial, I will walk you through the process of importing presets in both Adobe Lightroom and Lightroom Mobile.
Part 1: Importing Presets in Adobe Lightroom (Desktop)
Download Presets: Start by obtaining the presets you want to use. These presets typically come in the form of .xmp files. You can find both free and premium presets on various websites or purchase them from photographers and creators.
Open Adobe Lightroom: Launch Adobe Lightroom on your computer.
Access the Develop Module: In Lightroom, switch to the Develop module by clicking on the "Develop" tab at the top-right of the screen.
Locate the Presets Panel: On the left-hand side of the Develop module, you'll find the Presets panel. If it's not visible, click on the small triangle next to "Presets" to expand the panel.
Import Presets: Right-click on the "User Presets" folder within the Presets panel and select "Import." Alternatively, you can use the "+" icon at the top of the Presets panel and choose "Import Presets."
Navigate to Preset Files: Browse your computer to find the downloaded .xmp preset files. Select the presets you want to import and click "Import."
Organize Presets (Optional): After importing, you can create preset folders to organize your presets. Right-click on "User Presets" and choose "New Folder." Give the folder a name, then drag and drop presets into it.
Apply Presets: To apply a preset to a photo, simply click on the preset's thumbnail in the Presets panel. The preset's adjustments will be applied to the selected photo.
Part 2: Importing Presets in Lightroom Mobile
Download Presets: Just like in the desktop version, you'll need to acquire the presets you want to use in Lightroom Mobile.
Transfer Presets to Mobile: You have a few options to transfer presets to Lightroom Mobile:
Use Cloud Storage: Upload the .xmp preset files to a cloud storage service (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive).
Email: Email the preset files to yourself and open the email on your mobile device.
Airdrop or USB Transfer (iOS): If you're using an iOS device, you can use AirDrop or a USB connection to transfer the files.
Open Lightroom Mobile: Launch the Lightroom Mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.
Access Presets: Importing presets on Lightroom Mobile can sometimes be a bit indirect. Here's how to do it:
Open any photo in Lightroom Mobile and tap the Edit icon (looks like sliders) at the bottom.
Tap the Presets icon (looks like three sliders) at the bottom of the screen.
Import Presets: At the top of the Presets panel, you'll find the three dots (ellipsis) icon. Tap on it and select "Import Presets."
Choose Preset Files: Navigate to where you've stored the preset files. Tap on the .xmp files you want to import. Lightroom Mobile will import the presets.
Apply Presets: Once the presets are imported, you can apply them to your photos by tapping on their thumbnails in the Presets panel.