Figure 8 - Trojan files successfully  imported into Lightroom catalog

Figure 8 above shows that the Trojan TIFF files have been imported onto my Desktop, although the actual location doesn't really matter. Again, do not to edit the files, change their names, etc.

So, now we have finally arrived, your Trojan Horse is inside the city of Troy (the Lightroom Catalog), but don't begin the celebrations just yet. Next step is to import the actual CYMK files. Hmm, but we can't I hear you say. Remember the new folder panel context menu command I mentioned earlier?

• Right mouse button click the folder containing the Trojan files and choose Update Folder Location...

• The Select New Location dialog will open (figure 10).

• Navigate to the folder containing your CMYK files (remember to select the folder, not the files).

• Click Choose button.

 

Figure 9 - Updating the Folder Location

 

Figure 10 - Select New Location dialog

Lightroom will take a few moments to churn through the files updating the location links. Assuming that you didn't make any mistakes along the way, change files names or worse, the CMYK files should now be safe inside your Lightroom catalog. Figure 11 below shows how my Folder panel looks after the CMYK files have been imported. At this point you should run the the Render 1:1 Preview command found under the Library>Previews menu in the Library module. Lightroom will use the built in Adobe Color Engine (ACE) to create the full-size RGB previews used within the Library  module. The key point here is that just like Photoshop, Lightroom can only display RGB previews, the accuracy of which is dependent upon the correct CMYK profile being embedded with the original file. If the ICC profile is not embedded into the original CMYK file Lightroom will assume Adobe SWOP V2.0.

 

Figure 11 - Lightroom Library modules displaying previews for CMYK files

You may be asking - are these for real CMYK files?

Yep, check for yourself - select one and choose Edit in Photoshop (Cmd/Ctrl+E) then choose Edit Original.

 

Figure 12 - Edit in Photoshop dialog

The original CMYK will open into Photoshop. Furthermore, you can make adjustments to the original  CMYK file in Photoshop, apply layers, crop, etc then save the edited CMYK file back into Lightroom (Yes, you read right). It is even possible to export the Photoshop edited CMYK file from Lightroom, but you must use the Format (file type) to Original (see figure 13 below).

 

Figure 13 - Exporting edited files as CMYK

Are you happy?

Are you celebrating?

Now, for the next trick. Notice that the Edit in Photoshop dialog in Figure 12 above allowed the selection of a copy or even a copy with Lightroom adjustments? You did, then try switching to the Develop module.

 

Figure 14 - CMYK file displayed in Develop module

There you go, your CMYK file is available for editing in the Develop module (Figure 14), just like it would be if it was an RGB file. Lightroom has again used ACE to render the RGB preview from the CMYK file. Also, note that all of the Lightroom develop adjustment controls are active. This means that you can edit the file as if the original had been RGB. If you apply an adjustment using the Develop module controls then choose Edit in Photoshop Copy with Lightroom Adjustments an RGB copy TIFF/PSD is created, which is then opened into Photoshop. Any further adjustments in Photoshop will be applied to this RGB copy, thus leaving the CMYK original untouched.

 

Final Thoughts

As suggested by my opening remarks, a lot of folk have expressed a strong desire to have CMYK support within Lightroom, some have also been extremely vocal in their criticism of Adobe for not including it. To date, both groups have stated that the primary reason is to allow them to manage their CMYK assets within Lightroom, which is probably not an unreasonable request. Obviously, I don't know why CMYK support has not been included in Lightroom 2.0, but this tutorial demonstrates that some of the infrastructure required to facilitate the management of your CMYK files is already present. It also shows that develop adjustments of these files is supported. Anything else? Yes...

Remember Rule 5 - Enjoy!