Lightroom and Evoto

Evoto supports importing and exporting .lrcat files (Lightroom Classic catalogs), allowing for a seamless workflow between Lightroom Classic (LrC) and Evoto. This integration lets you manage and color grade in Lightroom, then use Evoto’s advanced editing tools, all without breaking your workflow.

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Why .lrcat Integration Matters

Lightroom Classic is widely used for color grading and image management. Evoto offers powerful AI-based tools for portrait retouching, facial reshaping, and skin refinement.

By allowing .lrcat imports and exports, Evoto makes it possible to:

• Combine the strengths of both platforms
  
• Save time in post-processing
• Avoid redundant file exports and imports

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Common Use Cases

Evoto as an Intermediate Editing Step

• Start with culling, organizing, and/or color grading in Lightroom Classic
  
• Import the Lightroom image into Evoto for advanced edits (skin, eyes, hair, etc.) by going to Edit in > Edit in Evoto
• Export edits back into Lightroom for final tweaks and delivery by exporting to Folder of Original File and checking the box to Replace original file(s)
  
  

Evoto as the Final Editing Stage

• Import your .lrcat directly into Evoto
  
• Perform all your advanced edits
  
• Export the edited files for your final delivery

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How to use lrcat Integration in Evoto

Step 1: Prepare Your lrcat in Lightroom

• Create or open your existing .lrcat file in Lightroom Classic. This catalog will contain the images and adjustments to be passed into Evoto.
  
  

Step 2: Import the lrcat into Evoto

• Open Evoto
  
• Drag and drop the .lrcat file into Evoto, or select it when creating a new project
  
• Optional: Enable the “Import Settings from .lrcat” checkbox if you want Lightroom’s basic color adjustments to carry over.
  
  

Step 3: Edit Your Images in Evoto

• Edit your imported images using Evoto’s full suite of tools.
  
  

Step 4: Export the lrcat from Evoto

• Click the Export button dropdown, and select “Export as lrcat file”. Be sure all images are selected prior to using this option.
  
  
• Once selected, you’ll see two options listed under the Export to: location setting:
  • Replace original file(s): Overwrites original non-RAW (JPG, TIFF, PNG) images in Lightroom with the Evoto-edited versions. A backup of the originals is automatically created.
  • Export Color Settings to .lrcat: If you don’t enable replacement, only the color changes and metadata are passed back to Lightroom.
    

Step 5: Choose Export Location

• You can save the updated .lrcat:
  • To your original Lightroom catalog
  • As a new .lrcat in a custom location
    • This makes it easy to merge with your original catalog later.

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Key Considerations

Should You Check “Import Color Settings”?

Yes, if you want Lightroom’s basic color sliders (e.g., Exposure, Temp, Tint) to carry over into Evoto.
However, only values that match Evoto’s tools will be imported and some color representations may not match exactly.

What Does “Color Setting” Mean?

Color settings refer to numeric slider values, not visual representations.
Some Lightroom adjustments, such as the following, will not transfer:

• Perspective correction
  
• Lens blur
  
• Local adjustments
  
• Advanced masking
  
  For full fidelity transfer, use Open With instead of .lrcat.

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RAW File Support

• Import: Yes, Evoto supports importing RAW images via .lrcat.
• Export: RAW images cannot be exported. Use TIFF or JPG instead.

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What is Non-RAW Replacement?

This option replaces the original non-RAW images (JPG, TIFF, PNG) in Lightroom with the Evoto-edited versions. It simplifies catalog management and reduces clutter.

Evoto backs up the original files automatically to allow re-edits without spending additional credits.

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Locating the Original Image After Export

When exporting a new .lrcat:

• The original images are preserved in a separate folder within the export directory.
• If Non-RAW Replacement is unchecked, the originals remain untouched in Lightroom.

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Re-Editing in the Original .lrcat

• To re-edit an existing image, open it again in Evoto and re-export it.
• For new images added to your original .lrcat, right-click to open them in Evoto, apply edits, and export them back.

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By integrating with .lrcat files, Evoto enables a flexible editing workflow:

• Use Lightroom for organization and color grading
  
• Use Evoto for AI-powered retouching enhancements
  
• Switch between tools without duplicating work

This feature is ideal for photographers who want to maintain control while maximizing speed and quality.