How to Create Virtual Copies in Adobe Lightroom

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post that introduced something called “Virtual Copies.” These virtual copies are a feature in Adobe Lightroom that allow you to work with many instances of a file in a non-destructive manner. Really, if you haven’t yet read my previous post, please do:

What Are Virtual Copies in Adobe Lightroom?

In today’s post, I’m going to move on from a mere introduction to something much more interesting – how to actually create a virtual copy in this application. The process is as simple as 1-2-3, so please read on.

Methods of Creating a Virtual Copy

I’ve got a lot of photos in my play folder. I use these photos for many of the posts I write. In today’s case, I’ll be using a picture of a sound mixer.

I just pulled this out of a hat. In your own library, you can use whatever photo you like.

There are a few different ways to create a virtual copy in Lightroom. In this section, I’ll cover the three most popular.

Method #1 – Right Click

The first method is to simply right-click on either the thumbnail in the filmstrip view at the bottom of Lightroom or on the thumbnail or loupe view in the center column. This same method works identically in either the Library or the Develop modules. Here’s a screenshot of me in the Develop module right-clicking on the larger image in the center column:

Once the menu opens, just click on the Create Virtual Copy option and the copy will appear in the filmstrip or the thumbnail view. Here’s a screenshot of the thumbnails in the Library module:

I’ve got the copy selected, so it’s highlighted. If you’ll notice, the copy has a small fold at the bottom left of the thumbnail. That’s the quick indication of what type of file it is. It’s also named Copy 1. If I create another virtual copy, that next one will be named Copy 2. And on and on.

Method #2 – Photo Menu

The second method for creating a virtual copy is to use the Photo menu at the top of the application. If I click on that with my mouse, I’ll see the same Create Virtual Copy selection available. If I click on that, the exact same result will occur as did earlier. I’ll have a new virtual copy.

Method #3 – Keyboard Shortcut

The last method I’m going to share with you today is to use a keyboard shortcut. If you select the photo thumbnail that you’re interested in creating a copy of and press the Ctrl+’ (Windows) or Command+’ (Mac) keys on your keyboard, again, the same thing will happen. You’ll get your copy. Just to be clear, the second key in this keyboard shortcut is the apostrophe.

Deleting Virtual Copies

As you can see, creating these types of copies is very fast and easy. The thing is, we sometimes go overboard when going about something like this. During the time I spent writing this post, I crated about 15 of them. I had to create one and then delete it, create one and delete it. Since I made so many, I think sharing with you how to get rid of them only makes sense.

Method #1 – Right Click

As you read this section, I think you’re going to discover a theme. The methods for creating virtual copies and deleting virtual copies are pretty much the same. The first way to remove a copy is to right click on it the same way you right-clicked on either the photo or thumbnail in either the Library or Develop modules earlier. Once you do that, the same menu will appear. Once you see the menu, find where it says Remove Photo and click on that selection.

After you do that, a small confirmation dialog box will pop up asking if you really mean it. Since you do, click on Remove and the image will no longer appear.

Method #2 – Photo Menu

The second way to delete a virtual copy is to use the Photo menu. If I head up to that menu and look for the Remove Photo selection and click on it, the same thing as before will happen. The confirmation dialog box will appear and I’ll click Remove.

See what I was talking about when I said you’d notice a theme? Each method for creation has a very similar method for deletion.

Method #3 – Keyboard Shortcut

The official keyboard shortcuts for removing a virtual copy from Lightroom is to press the Delete key on a Mac or the Backspace key on a Windows machine. I’m here to say that both the Delete and the Backspace keys work for Windows. I wasn’t even aware that the backspace key worked until recently.

Once you press either of these keys, the same confirmation dialog will appear where you can press the Remove button with your mouse. It’s that simple.

Well, that was easy. I like writing posts like this where there isn’t a lot of brain work required and where the concept is simple. I guess that since performing a task like this is so popular, Adobe wanted to make it super quick. Anyway, if you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comment section below. I’m always here to help. Thanks!