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# I have already imported photos into Lightroom. How should I use FilterPixel?

${vimeo}[Reading metadata in Lightroom](1212807178)

**Watch the quick video above, or follow the steps below.** No problem at all — you don't need to re-import anything or start over. FilterPixel culls the **same source folder** your Lightroom catalog points to, writes the results as **XMP metadata**, and Lightroom picks them up in place. Your catalog, previews, and folder structure stay exactly as they are.
**Step 1 — Cull the same folder in FilterPixel**
1. Open FilterPixel and click **Select Files** (or drag & drop) — then choose the **same folder** your Lightroom photos live in.
2. Name the session and pick the **shoot type** (for example, Wedding).
3. Click **Start Basic Cull** and let the AI work through the set — it sorts every photo into **Best**, **Review**, and **Rejected**, hands-free.
**Step 2 — Review the results**
When the cull finishes, glance over the categories with Quick Filters, Focus Mode, and Survey Mode. Adjust any picks you disagree with — you stay in control of the final selection.
**Step 3 — Export as .XMP**
1. Click **Export** at the bottom of the grid.
2. Choose **Export as .XMP**, then hit **Export**.
FilterPixel writes XMP sidecar files next to your images — carrying the star ratings (or colors/tags, per your rating preferences) for every photo. Your image files themselves are not modified.
**Step 4 — Read the metadata in Lightroom**
1. Switch back to **Lightroom Classic**.
2. In the Library, **select the photos** (Ctrl + A for all).
3. Go to **Metadata → Read Metadata from Files**.
Lightroom refreshes the selected photos from their XMP sidecars — and your FilterPixel results appear right on the photos **already in your catalog**. Filter by star rating and you're straight into editing the keepers.
**Good to know**
* **Nothing is duplicated** — because FilterPixel worked on the same source files, the results attach to the photos Lightroom already knows.
* **Your rating mapping is configurable** — stars, colors, or tags; see *How to change rating preferences in FilterPixel*.
* **Starting a fresh shoot instead?** Then it's even simpler — cull first in FilterPixel and use **Quick Export to Lightroom**, or drag & drop your picks straight in (see *How to drag and drop your images from FilterPixel*).