LRExportHEIC

(Forked from milch/LRExportHEIC.)

A plugin to allow Lightroom Classic to export HEIC / HEIF files.

Why HEIC/HEIF over JPEG?

HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Container) is a modern image format based on HEIF and the HEVC codec, offering smaller file sizes with less quality loss. Introduced by Apple in 2017 as the default for iPhones, it is now supported by major platforms and newer cameras like the Sony A7 IV and Canon R5.

There are two main benefits of HEIC/HEIF:

• A better compression algorithm, meaning either a lower file size for the same perceived quality (typically 50% smaller¹), or a higher quality image at the same file size².
• 10-bit encoding support, allowing for a wider dynamic range and giving more latitude for further edits than the 8-bit JPEG.

Installation

• Download the ZIP file from the latest release.
  • Alternatively, download it from Adobe Exchange.
• Unzip it to reveal the ExportHEIC.lrplugin file. Place it in a place that you won’t delete.
• Open Lightroom Classic. From the File menu, open the Plug-in Manager.
• Click the Add button, and select the plugin wherever you saved it. Make sure it is enabled.

Usage

• Select images and start the export like normal (e.g. Right click + Export).
• You will see a new “Post-Process Action” in the lower left corner of the export dialog, which you will need to highlight and then click Insert.
• You will see a new panel named "HEIC settings" at the bottom. Note that the regular File Settings panel is unused at this point; all settings made in that panel will be overridden by any setting you choose in the “HEIC settings” panel.
• Adjust the settings based on quality or file-size.

• Click Export. Your export should proceed like normal, and you will find your files at the location you selected.
• The files will have a .jpg extension. This is expected. You can rename them to use a .heic extension or leave them with the .jpg extension. Most applications won’t care about the extension, and will be able to use the file like normal.

The plugin also adds a new item under “Export To” named “Export HEIC”. This does nothing more than hide the original “File Settings” panel so you don't accidentally make changes there instead of the “HEIC settings” panel. However, this is entirely optional and only a cosmetic change.

Compatibility

macOS only; okay on both Apple M1-M4 chips and Intel chips.

Because the CLI component is using macOS APIs to create the HEIC/HEIF file, the only supported platform is macOS. Theoretically there should be nothing preventing it from working on earlier versions, but I have only personally tested it on macOS Monterey (v12+). It definitely won’t work on Windows.

I have tested the plugin to work with Lightroom Classic version v11 and newer.

Development

Please refer to DEVELOP.md.

Footnotes

1. Comparing JPEG vs HEIC: Which Is Best? https://cloudinary.com/guides/image-formats/jpeg-vs-heic ↩

2. Comparison between JPEG, JPEG 2000, JPEG XR and HEIF. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Comparison_between_JPEG,_JPEG_2000,_JPEG_XR_and_HEIF.png ↩