Your question has nothing to do with metadata conflicts. If you send a copy to Photoshop with Lightroom edits, then edit in Photoshop and save, close, and return to Lightroom, that copy has all the original Lightroom edits plus all of the Photoshop edits (it is now a rendered PSD or TIF file). If you decide to edit that PSD/TIF copy more in Lightroom, then that copy still has all the edits it started with plus whatever new edits you apply in Lightroom. If you choose to print that copy, of course it has everything you’ve done to it up to that point. No need to export first. Nothing to do with metadata conflicts.

Cool, thanks for sharing!

My first use is for projects based on a concept or a theme (ie, not subject or location).

I add a keyword for the project to each relevant photo.

Next I create a collection set for the project.

Inside that, I create a smart collection where keyword -> Contains all -> [project name]. I name that “[project name] All”.

I copy Project All and edit it, adding another criterion to filter for 3 stars or more. I may create multiple smart collections for different star levels corresponding to my workflow but you get the idea.

Finally I create a standard collecitonr called Selects (thanks, Scott) where I can put my final selection.

This process gives me a workflow that carries me from through all the stages of making picks and selections, working images and flagging my final, ready-to-show work.

The same process can be used for travel (keyword = country or trip name) or for teaching (lkeyword = “demo panorama merge”).

Smart Collections are a game changer for me. Couldn’t live without them.