steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

Let me try to explain my dilemma thoroughly and comprehensively. Unfortunately this will not be brief.

From roughly 2010 to December 2015, I was using my laptop for almost all of my Lightroom work, using LR3. I also had it installed on my PC at my office, but only worked there occasionally (at worst a 95/5 split). On each device, my LR catalog was saved to the C drive, and the original raw images were saved to external hard drives (each XHD had 2 separate backup XHDs as well), along with edited low res jpegs and either high res jpegs or TIFFs of "keepers".

Issue #1- no complete catalog exists. Can separate catalogs be consolidated?
This is the least of my problems. I could live without the 5% from the office.
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Lightroom3 began having issues. Very slow. Like having to wait 4-5 seconds for each edit to render. My image library was quite large, and my laptop- running on XP- was already at its max memory. And I had acquired new cameras that LR3 was not able to handle. LR3 could not be updated because of the OS. Time to replace the laptop.

My IT guy helped me choose my new computer and configure it with plenty of memory and RAM. An iMac. In addition, I upgraded and subscribed to LRCC. Installed it on the iMac. Also installed it on my computer at the office, the only device on which LR3 and LRCC coexist.

Plugged my external drives into the iMac and discovered that, while the iMac could read from the XHDs, it could not write to them. I realized I needed XHDs formatted to work with the iMac OS. Rather than buy all new XHDs, and since I had triplicates of all of them, I decided to reformat one of each trio, and dedicate those to the iMac.

This is where it gets ugly. I spent some time checking each drive to make sure the ones I was keeping were complete, and that over time I had not neglected to copy any folders from one to the other. In doing so, I may have moved a few folders around from one drive to another in an attempt to better organize. I actually used masking tape and labeled the drives while I was doing this, in order to keep track of which drive was which. I got to the point where I was comfortable, and reformatted 3 of the 9 XHDs. Once I had reconnected all 3 sets of XHDs to their respective computers, I thought all was good.

Having been told (by Adobe tech support) that my original LR3 catalog could be transferred to my new LRCC, I set about looking for the catalog from LR3, which had been backed up to the laptop C drive weekly. I found them, going all the way back to initial installation. I scrolled through chronologically, and noticed an anomaly had occurred in 2013, where it suddenly dropped dramatically in size. "Whatever", I thought, since there was no going back in time, and the catalog had rebuilt going forward. What bothered me more, I noticed that the Navigator panel of LR appeared to be corrupted. I had run into instances before where I had to redirect LR to find missing folders, but this was different. Navigator was entirely messed up. No questionmarked folders, just missing information, or incorrect information, such as the drive labeled 2014 having folders dated between 2012-2013.

Issue #2- The LR catalog residing on the C drive on the laptop appears to have been corrupted, and- IF it could even be recovered- I'm not sure which backup would be the most accurate. If I could recover, how would I know which backup to use?
Having struggled with this now for weeks, I'm starting to lean towards writing it off as not worth the effort.
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When I spoke with Adobe prior to subscribing to LRCC, I specifically asked if, by virtue of the cloud, I would be able to import images at one location, e.g. home, and have the option of working on them either at home or the office. I was told this was possible. Subsequently, I have been told that I was misinformed the first time, and that the only way to accomplish my goal is to store the original images and the LR catalog on an external hard drive, or at least copy both to one drive, and then transport this hard drive back and forth from home to office as needed.

Having had the time to think this through more thoroughly, I can see some of the inherent problems. Each LR installation will have to have a constant source and a constantly updated catalog.

Issue #3- Is this in fact the only (or best) way to work in LR at 2 locations on the same set of images? And am I correct in assuming that any scenario involving this workflow would require backing up the catalog each time I both quit LR at location A and open it at B, and vice versa?
Would a service such as GoToMyPC be a more sensible solution?

My apologies to those who I cursed previously for posting long inquiries, and thanks to those who took the time to read through.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Issue 1. Yes they can. The function is called Import From Catalog.

Issue 2. The Adobe tech did not lie to you. I sounds like you didn't do it correctly. Seems to me you need to open each catalog and look. It also sounds like you've made a mess of things by moving files and folders both inside and outside of LR. That does not work.

Issue 3. Lightroom is a database system designed for one computer. It is not multi user. That said, there are several distinct "workarounds", including "cloud" based. Extensive tutorials have been done by Tim Grey, Phil Steele, Julieanne Kost and more.

My suggestion is you start fresh and enjoy your photography. Lightroom does not alter or delete your original image files. The are where you put them. Start with a fresh copy of LR and a new single catalog. Enjoy importing a few at a time in an organized way to a brand new catalog. Tim Grey has courses on how to clean up user induced Lightroom messes. One is free courtesy of B&H Photo and another you pay a few bucks for at his website.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Agree 100%!

:thumbup: :thumbup:

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Thanks! If you're ever nearby you get a coffee, beer or soda of your choice!

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

DEAL!!!!!! :)

blackest Loc: Ireland

It is a bit late but Paragon do a free ntfs file system driver for OSX up to yosemite for el capitan it costs $20.

both need to be registered but the reg number works on several macs

https://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac-yosemite/

You don't have to have just one catalog and one big one may be at least part of the reason for the slow down. Smaller catalogs are quicker to search.

You might consider annual catalogs and maybe a master catalog if you have a need to search over the years.

It's possible to create xmp side car files or the same information can be stored within the image file with supported formats. This can simplify adding picture developing settings from one catalog to another. Since if the developing information is there. It can be imported into a catalog along with the image details.

I'll stop at this, its 1.45 am and i'm tired. At least look into the paragon ntfs file system it is very useful and transparent in use.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

Thanks to all three of you for the replies.

As far as the old catalogs are concerned, I think I'm going to fight through my OCD and just start fresh.

Regarding the future, the more I think about it, it makes more sense to do as much editing as possible on the iMac with the superior monitor.

Follow up question: If I need to edit something quickly at the shop, but want to copy the quickly edited image(s) and tweak at home, is there a best format to save for re-editing, e.g. PSD, DNG, TIFF, or original format?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

No, there is not one good method or format. It depends on what you want to do and what image files you are working with.

Above I wrote "Issue 3. Lightroom is a database system designed for one computer. It is not multi user. That said, there are several distinct "workarounds", including "cloud" based. Extensive tutorials have been done by Tim Grey, Phil Steele, Julieanne Kost and more."

Investigate what those people have to show. There are a variety of methods to move images from one Lightroom system to another. A common theme revolves around having a small travel computer and a master at home base. Another common theme it sending original images with Lightroom edits to some one like a boss or editor. Tools available include exporting small catalogs with image files attached or using .xmp "sidecar" files.

Bobbee

Not trying to be overly negative, but after reading this I </sigh> with relief and I am happy I don't use LR. Also, after reading others complain. i have the CC version, I will not walk into the CC Cave and wake the sleeping monster!! LOL

Howard5252 Loc: New York / Florida (now)

LR could have a fairly steep learning curve, it all depends how many of its features you want to learn and use. I recently purchased it and bought a good reference book by Scott Kelby at the same time.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Lightroom is a program you shouldn't just jump into. You must learn it so you know what you are doing only then will you avoid mistakes.

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

I use LR for it's editing tools and shake my head in frustration everytime I attempt to open a file in it. Starts out with an import layout and then tells me it's already imported, which I knew. Then instead of opening the file it opens the folder with umpteen files that I have to work through until I find the target file. Most complicated system I've run into in over 25 years of PC use.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

This is another good answer I'll file away about LR.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

WE and DE are pretty far apart. NY is a lot closer. It would be nice to have local people gather and have Don explain LR to us. :D

Bobbee

I like my Bridge and PS CC. I comb through 2000 pictures per wedding. Talk about learning curve. I have been doing Photoshop for 9 years now and I just scratched the surface. But I know, if i need to do something. It can be done.