CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I wouldn't buy more. It's overpriced. Our OP would have to consider how much data and how often they want to / need to sync between the two computers. The initial sync would be done by manually copying all the same image files and LRCAT onto both computers, with a private network or via connected external drives.

Then, they have to consider their file sizes (types) and counts. I shoot with 32GB cards in RAW, typically filling one entire card most anytime I shoot anything. So for me with 20GB, I wouldn't bother syncing until I'd done all / or most of the culling on one of the two machines. Once all the editing work was done, I'd verify both computers are updated and them remove all those files from the collection configured for the sync to the cloud. If you can have multiple 'sync' collections, you'd just need to update that parameter, but I'd have to check the documentation to confirm that assumption. Adding / moving images from a collection is a simple non-destructive 'select all', a couple of clicks, virtually no effort.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Steve,

I've read your post several times. I know nothing about Apple systems so I'm guessing a lot.

I read nothing about Adobe promoting or supporting using Lightroom Classic to share the "single user" catalog. On the other hand, they promote and support using Lightroom CC (cloudy) on as many devices as you might have.

In your case, you are stuck using two versions of Classic due to operating system choices. Even if you get a collection "synced" today, it might not work with next week's update.

For a "conservative" workflow, I would take the 5% of images you want on both machines and manage them in Lightroom CC (cloudy). When they are "finished", export a copy. One of the export choices in Lightroom CC is "Original+Settings". I tried it and when I Imported in Lightroom CC, the masks and sliders were all in the right places.

On the other hand (!) if you are having fun "tricking" Lightroom Classic into multiuser work on computers with two operating system versions and Lightroom Classic versions, do it! You will be a pioneer!

Good luck!

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

I'm not sure I'm tricking LRC. The license allows installation on 2 devices. In this case, they would be connected with the ability to access each others' external hard drives.

As a former co-worker often told me, "God hates a coward". Getting in over your head forces you to learn how to swim. Or drown.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Different Operating Systems might trip you up. I mentioned in this post, or another similar question, that I both remote into a primary desktop, as well as having "shared" the connected HD. This gives me two options from a networked laptop. My laptop has a local copy of the primary LRCAT and "sees" the images on the shared drive. I can work locally on the laptop against a master copy of the image files on the shared drive. I can also work remotely as if seated at the primary desktop. Everything is running Windows10, the laptop Win10Pro.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Steve,

I'm not concerned about the license. What I'm trying to say is that I think that Adobe does not intend for LRC to sync between two computers. I think they do intend for there to be some synchronization between Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC (cloudy), which I do with about 300 images. Part of what makes it work is that, depending on the image and source, it is only small previews that sync.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

Maybe I'm not understanding fully. Wouldn't be the first time. More often than not I understand just enough to get myself into trouble.

At some point I'll install LRC on her computer, connect it to mine, and see what happens.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I’ve use that scenario for smaller numbers of images, actually my method for cellphone photos is to import them into LR on my phone so they’ll sync to my desktop. While I have a few computers the only ones I edit on are the desktop I built specifically for photo editing and my travel laptop which was bought specifically for photo editing. In my scenario I find it easier to just export the catalog from the laptop and import it into the desktop, then start with a clean catalog next time I travel. If I wanted to run the same catalog on two computers I would put the catalog and images on my NAS and just install the software on the computers.

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

In the event of someone stumbling upon this thread in hopes of solving a similar problem, I took the easy way out. Rather than trying to sync LRC, I merely installed the updated version on my wife's computer. I continue to do 99% of post processing on my computer, and the 1% I need the updated features I process on the second, then copy the finished product onto the external hard drives of both. I'm not concerned about the LR catalogs not matching, I know if what I'm looking for is not on one, it's on the other.