Workflow External HD > Local HD
Sep 14, 2013 09:56:15 #
I have searched the forum for an answer, I apologize if this has been answered somewhere.
I recently moved all my photos to an external drive within LightRoom 5. No problem.
I wanted to re-edit a photo.
My catalog is on the local drive.
It appeared to be really really slow when editing the photo.
I assume it is because it is a USB External Drive and its choking on the transfer from that disk?
Anyway, can anyone tell me what a good workflow would be to "pull" a photo off of the external drive and work on it on a local drive. I would think that all I would have to do it create a "temp" folder within LR, move it from the External drive into this folder (within LR) , work on it , move it back?
All within LR.
Thanks for any suggestions.
I recently moved all my photos to an external drive within LightRoom 5. No problem.
I wanted to re-edit a photo.
My catalog is on the local drive.
It appeared to be really really slow when editing the photo.
I assume it is because it is a USB External Drive and its choking on the transfer from that disk?
Anyway, can anyone tell me what a good workflow would be to "pull" a photo off of the external drive and work on it on a local drive. I would think that all I would have to do it create a "temp" folder within LR, move it from the External drive into this folder (within LR) , work on it , move it back?
All within LR.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Sep 14, 2013 10:22:50 #
I would suggest that mass storage (hard drive) is so cheap that you should keep your images on an active drive in your computer. The removable drive is auxiliary, like a Tuff Shed in the back yard, where you store stuff you don't immediately need. You SHOULD have your images backed-up to a removable drive that you keep at your mother-in-law's place and only bring in once a week to synchronize with the main box. (You should also get Carbonite or BackBlaze to save your work remotely) Bad things do happen.
Most desk-top boxes will have at least one empty drive bay and, if you can't install the drive yourself, any local computer store can do it for you. Your operating system will automatically recognize the new device and give you a drive letter for it. I saw a 3 terabyte drive for $150 in an ad last week.
Most desk-top boxes will have at least one empty drive bay and, if you can't install the drive yourself, any local computer store can do it for you. Your operating system will automatically recognize the new device and give you a drive letter for it. I saw a 3 terabyte drive for $150 in an ad last week.
Sep 14, 2013 10:37:25 #
Thanks for the input. and probably that is the best solution.
I have a desktop,and whether right or wrong, rarely use it anymore as it is not in a convenient location.Unfortunately, I dont have a "nook" downstairs to put it in.
I work mostly on a laptop. so I dont think I can put another drive in it. Which is why I got the USB drive.
I backup my photos on another USB drive.
Again, thanks for the response.
I have a desktop,and whether right or wrong, rarely use it anymore as it is not in a convenient location.Unfortunately, I dont have a "nook" downstairs to put it in.
I work mostly on a laptop. so I dont think I can put another drive in it. Which is why I got the USB drive.
I backup my photos on another USB drive.
Again, thanks for the response.
Sep 15, 2013 07:19:55 #
CTTonymm
Loc: Connecticut
[quote=pjeffers]Thanks for the input. and probably that is the best solution.
I have a desktop,and whether right or wrong, rarely use it anymore as it is not in a convenient location.Unfortunately, I dont have a "nook" downstairs to put it in.
I work mostly on a laptop. so I dont think I can put another drive in it. Which is why I got the USB drive.
If your laptop has a cd/dvd player slot and you don't use it, you should be able to replace it with a disk drive. If you need a player, you can buy an external usb player.
I have a desktop,and whether right or wrong, rarely use it anymore as it is not in a convenient location.Unfortunately, I dont have a "nook" downstairs to put it in.
I work mostly on a laptop. so I dont think I can put another drive in it. Which is why I got the USB drive.
If your laptop has a cd/dvd player slot and you don't use it, you should be able to replace it with a disk drive. If you need a player, you can buy an external usb player.
Sep 15, 2013 07:56:00 #
Thanks and I will consider this.
but I would also like to know if the workflow I came up with will work...
but I would also like to know if the workflow I came up with will work...
Sep 15, 2013 08:09:51 #
CTTonymm
Loc: Connecticut
pjeffers wrote:
Thanks and I will consider this.
but I would also like to know if the workflow I came up with will work...
but I would also like to know if the workflow I came up with will work...
Pretty clunky to add extra steps (moving file temporarily to HD and back again - all within LR, of course). If you see an acceptable speed when file is on the main HD, then it sounds like usb2 is the problem. Another solution possible - have two catalogs wit one storing current year or project on th hd and older catalog files on external? Yet another solution, replace main drive with larger hd (ssd would be blazing fast)and store pics on main? And you do have enough RAM (8+)?
Sep 15, 2013 09:47:26 #
I suggest rating all your shots as soon as they are downloaded to your laptop. Delete the bad ones and move all remaining shots less than 5 stars onto the external drive. Leave only the 5 star shots on the laptop and work with them there.
Sep 15, 2013 11:21:01 #
Try this. Lightroom 5 allows for the creation of what Adobe terms "Smart Previews." When you begin to work on a shoot, create these. Then you unplug the external drive. You'll discover that 1. you can work on the Smart Previews within LR5, just as if you had the library online. and 2. It will be much faster. Then, once you're done with your edits, simply plug in the external drive with the image library and LR will automatically apply your edits to the library images. When this is done, you can safely delete the Smart Previews. This is also a neat trick if you are going to leave your home/office and want to work on images while you're away.
I'm certain there are many references for this, but you can check Adobe's CreativeLIVE collection for "Lightroom 5 with Jack Davis." Mr. Davis covers all this within that class. You'll also find it within Scott Kelby's "The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Book for Digital Photographers.
I'm certain there are many references for this, but you can check Adobe's CreativeLIVE collection for "Lightroom 5 with Jack Davis." Mr. Davis covers all this within that class. You'll also find it within Scott Kelby's "The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 Book for Digital Photographers.
Sep 15, 2013 12:44:11 #
pjeffers wrote:
I have searched the forum for an answer, I apologi... (show quote)
Are you using USB 2 or 3? Three is much faster. However, I suspect the problem is with your wireless connection which is much slower than a cable connection, although it should be fast enough. Can you run a cable to your new connection.
Sep 15, 2013 13:49:21 #
JaiGieEse wrote:
Try this. Lightroom 5 allows for the creation of w... (show quote)
This is the answer; this is what smart previews were designed to do...make editing on external drives feasible.
Sep 16, 2013 18:30:35 #
Sep 16, 2013 18:30:45 #
Sep 16, 2013 18:33:00 #
I dont do this often enough to worry about it.
I keep my current files on my hard drive until I think I need to move some.
Just sometimes I get a new piece of software and want to to try in on a particular photo.
Just wanted to know if what I came up with would work.
I just dont want to throw hardware at it at this point
and yes I have enough ram.
I keep my current files on my hard drive until I think I need to move some.
Just sometimes I get a new piece of software and want to to try in on a particular photo.
Just wanted to know if what I came up with would work.
I just dont want to throw hardware at it at this point
and yes I have enough ram.
Sep 16, 2013 18:34:57 #
would smart previews work the same as working on a raw image?
I thought about using smart previews, but I shoot mostly in raw and just wondered if I would have the same latitude in working on a photo.
thanks!
I thought about using smart previews, but I shoot mostly in raw and just wondered if I would have the same latitude in working on a photo.
thanks!
Sep 16, 2013 18:36:45 #
thanks for the answer, as stated above, I dont do this often as I dont move my photos to my usb drive until I am pretty sure I am finished with them.
however, nothing is ever final.
and there are times that I might want to throw another new tool at it just to see what it would do:)
however, nothing is ever final.
and there are times that I might want to throw another new tool at it just to see what it would do:)
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