mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

I might have asked this question before, but not sure I remeber (old brain) the results, I am on a Mac.

What I want to do is copy or export the entire LightRoom catalogue, all 35K+ photos with their metadata and keywords, to another drive in one fell swoop. Can I just export the entire set at once to the drive, or do I have to do it piecemeal? My objective is to be able to use LightRoom to access this drive on my Mac notbook when away, or access the drive from any computer using its tools to do keyword searches. I'm not sure if just doing a backup to an external drive will solve my problem.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you want all the images onto another device, just copy the entire \Lightroom folder from the source computer to the target computer. A few caveats:

1, Skip the \Lightroom\backup folder to save time and space, as in delete the contents of this subfolder before starting the process (or delete everything except the most recent date-stamped ZIP file).

2, The \Lightroom folder is the folder containing the active LRCAT file, typically under your "pictures" folder on either Windows or Mac.

3, You need the same version of LR Classic already installed on the target computer. Then, just replace all existing files in that target \Lightroom folder with the files being copied from the Source computer.

4, You need all the image files onto the target computer too, in the same folder structure, although you can easily update the drive letter / name after the LRCAT is copied to the target computer.

When you get home, you just export to a new catalog just those updates from the travel computer to be merged back into the master / main catalog. Copy that new "transfer" catalog and image files to the main computer and import "from catalog". This puts the LRCAT data into the main catalog, but you'll have to manual place the image files into their proper folders / organization on the main computer.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Item 5 - bookmark and 'title' this item so you 'remember' for future reference.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

Paul, can I export the entire 35K+ photos all at once in their current structure and with all metadata and keywords at one time to the external drive, or will LightRoom not allow that to occur? I figure, if I export I will be able to view the photos without needing LightRoom loaded, and look for keywords using the Mac search tools. I really need two external drives, one which will be able to be used as a LightRoom source on another device, and one of just all the photos with metadata and keywords attached. I understand that one will be a backup, which is what you are outlining above, but I would also like to have the other as an option as well.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

So, why would you want to do that?

The answer is yes. There's no technical limit to selecting 1 to infinity image files to export, except time and target diskspace to receive 35K+ edited (additional) image files.

But, exporting your entire catalog is not the solution to the travel catalog question you asked initially. The answer to a travel catalog is to have a copy of the LRCAT and the supporting original image files onto the travel equipment. Having all your edited images, to look at outside LR, is a different solution to a different problem.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

Thank you Paul, you have answered my questions. I will create the external LightRoom disk to use as the LightRoom source for external LightRoom use, as you have outlined. I will also export the entire LightRoom photo library and its metadata and keywords to another disk to keep for non-LightRoom use, for as long as it takes.

rleonetti Loc: Portland, Oregon

Would you please report back on how the "export" version goes.

I have a file of 2,700 photos I want to put on four separate thumb drives to send my four children I also expect to do the same with my whole Lightroom catalog just before old age stops my subscription to Lightroom.

Your feed back would be much appreciated.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I run regular exports of 11K+ images whenever I repopulate my digital frame. No issues, just time.