Adobe Photoshop CS5 for Photographers - Martin Evening [246]
Proprietary raw files present a particular problem because the Camera Raw database in the Bridge cache is the only place where the metadata information such as the image ratings and Camera Raw adjustments can be kept, that is unless you go to the Camera Raw preferences (Figure 11.20) and choose to save the image settings to the ‘sidecar “.xmp” files’. When you do this, the metadata information is saved to the XMP sidecar files that are stored alongside each raw image (Figure 11.21). Obviously, it is very useful to make the cache information accessible, which is why it is also a good idea in the Cache preferences (Figure 11.23) to choose ‘Automatically Export Cache To Folders When Possible’. Bridge then automatically updates the cache by adding a couple of cache data files within the same image folder (these will normally be hidden from view). The advantage of doing this is that it does not matter if you move or rename a folder, because the image cache will always be recognized. This is especially important if you are about to share a folder of images that you have edited in Bridge with another Bridge user, or you are about to archive pictures you have edited to a CD or DVD disc, as this ensures the cache data is always preserved. Sometimes a cache may appear out of date and require a forced update. To do this, go to the Tools Cache menu and choose the ‘Build and Export Cache’ option which opens the dialog in Figure 11.22. You can use this to force Bridge to prioritize building a cache for not just the current targeted folder, but include the subfolders as well. You might find it beneficial to get Bridge to cache large folders of images during idle times, such as at night while you are asleep. The other Cache preference items let you manage the cache. For example, when the ‘Keep 100% Previews in Cache’ option is selected, this potentially increases the size of the cache, but you'll have faster access to the full-sized previews. The cache size itself can be limited in size to a set number of files. As more files are cached, the older cache items get deleted, so increasing the cache size limit means more cache data is preserved, but at the expense of increased disk space usage. The Compact Cache and Purge Cache items can also be used to keep the cache size under control.
Figure 11.20 The Camera Raw General preferences.
Figure 11.21 If the Camera Raw preferences are set to save .xmp files as sidecar files, you will see sidecar files like this appear alongside a raw image file that has been modified via Bridge.
Figure 11.22 If you go to the Tools Cache submenu, you can choose ‘Build and Export Cache’. This opens the dialog shown here, which lets you force-build a cache for the selected folder and any subfolders. You have additional options to select ‘Build 100% Previews’ and ‘Export Cache to Folders’.
Figure 11.23 The Bridge Cache preferences.
Enabling Backward compatibility
It is a good idea to switch on the Maximize the PSD and PSB compatibility option in the Photoshop File Handling preferences. This forces Photoshop to save a flattened version of the image when saving a file using the PSD and PSB formats. This in turn speeds up the writing of the thumbnail cache file.
Advanced and miscellaneous preferences
Bridge by default uses hardware acceleration to drive the graphics display, but if you are working with an underpowered graphics card you may find it better to check ‘Use Software Rendering’ and relaunch Bridge (Figure 11.24). The ‘Generate Monitor-Size Previews’ option ensures that the cached previews are big enough to fill the screen, such as when using the Slideshow or Review modes. The International section allows you to regionalize Bridge for international languages and for use with international keyboard designs. Note that the changes applied here only come into effect after you relaunch Bridge.
Figure 11.24 The Bridge Advanced preferences
Automatic Bridge launch
If you check the