Uninstalling then reinstalling Lightroom
Nov 3, 2018 09:53:01 #
Having a big problem with "missing files." I've watched a few YouTube tutorials and it would be manageable if it were not almost my entire lightroom catalogue. (7000+ pics.) I hit something, pretty sure it was "synch metadata" and it sunk the connection to my pictures from Lightroom. This is over my head and I wondered what would happen to my post processed pics in Lightroom that I hadn't "exported" to Pictures if I uninstalled and reinstalled. I have windows 10. And in some ways I am a perennial beginner ( DSLR) for 5+ years. THANK YOU.
Nov 3, 2018 10:43:38 #
You need to do some reading on how the catalog file works, where it is and how backups of it are made. The file, wherever it is has ".lrcat" for it's name extension.
Nov 3, 2018 11:23:17 #
leenso52 wrote:
Having a big problem with "missing files.&quo... (show quote)
Uninstalling and reinstalling Lightroom will most likely do nothing for you.
Your pictures are not “in” Lightroom, they are linked within the Lightroom catalog file ( think database)
In most cases, lost links can be easily fixed by just repointing the catalog to where the images reside.
https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/help/locate-missing-photos.html
Nov 3, 2018 15:05:36 #
leenso52 wrote:
Having a big problem with "missing files.&quo... (show quote)
The program works like this: You link up images to the application. The application window shows you what folders are linked. These are only images. None of the data, unless you have clicked a very specific box in LR, is saved to the images. It sort of just "sits on top," if you will, until you export the image in some way. I usually say "like a cake with frosting." The images are the cake and the edits are the frosting. All of your edits are saved into a folder that is called a catalog. In that folder there will be catalog edit folder and a preview folder. When the application is open there may be an additional folder as well. The "whatever the name is".lrcat holds all of your metadata edits for all of your images. You can link and unlink images however you want, assuming you do not change the image name, and every time you link up the image the metadata will show up on that image.
Nov 4, 2018 08:12:26 #
via the lens wrote:
The program works like this: You link up images t... (show quote)
That's a really neat explanation. I like the cake and frosting analogy.
Nov 4, 2018 08:13:21 #
You can call adobe help and they can share your computer to help resolve your issue
J
J
Nov 4, 2018 09:54:13 #
lsupremo
Loc: Palm Desert, CA
I’ve always wondered why Lightroom never put a “save” button on the screen? Why do I have to export or print an image to “save” it??? Makes no sense.
Nov 4, 2018 10:02:39 #
lsupremo wrote:
I’ve always wondered why Lightroom never put a “save” button on the screen? Why do I have to export or print an image to “save” it??? Makes no sense.
There is no save because as you edit the changes are placed in the catalog and written into the files/sidecars automatically.
Never a need to save any work. When you export, Lightroom is copying the original image, adding in the adjustments as parameters and outputting the result. Your original image remains untouched.
When in the develop module, look at the history pane on the left panel, you can click on any adjustment and your image changes to the adjustments from the beginning to that point, you can export at any point it you like, for example one color, one black and white, without changing the original image on disk.
Don’t fight how Lightroom works, it is very efficient at managing your images :)
Nov 4, 2018 10:28:25 #
lsupremo wrote:
I’ve always wondered why Lightroom never put a “save” button on the screen? Why do I have to export or print an image to “save” it??? Makes no sense.
It's actually a very efficient way to work. You only have one original copy and you simply create what you want from there. You can do a "save" in LR but what that will do is save the metadata to your file so that you can work on that image, from outside of LR, in another program. You can also do a save if you feel so compelled to do so by simply exporting into the original catalog and using a different name. The application is geared toward multiple uses and users, you just need to know it well to use it effectively.
Nov 4, 2018 11:02:48 #
via the lens wrote:
It's actually a very efficient way to work. You o... (show quote)
I elect to automatically write my metadata to each image as it’s written to the catalog, that acts as a sort of backup to the metadata so it’s not just in my catalog.
Nov 4, 2018 11:58:46 #
Dngallagher wrote:
I elect to automatically write my metadata to each image as it’s written to the catalog, that acts as a sort of backup to the metadata so it’s not just in my catalog.
...me, too!
Nov 4, 2018 15:46:40 #
I need to understand the program especially catalogs and where pictures go. I've never understood that. I took my modem in for a tune up and was told I had pictures, duplicates everywhere. Not intentional. This requires a huge learning curve for me and honestly? I'm not learning quite as well as I used. That's why I wanted to uninstall and start from scratch, with my Lightroom Library Module at hand. My question is, what will happen to the Lightroom catalog already in my files? Can I still access the edited pics?
Nov 4, 2018 15:50:54 #
And thank you for all your suggestions I really appreciate all. I toughened my shell in preparation for a backlash to my lack of knowledge. I try to learn but I don't retain well anymore and this is a hobby not my life's work. But I really like the editing tools in Lightroom. Thanks.
Nov 4, 2018 16:02:40 #
Dngallagher wrote:
There is no save because as you edit the changes a... (show quote)
I would just like to say that your answers to technical questions are some of the best on this site. i appreciate the short, concise, clear, and easy to understand explanations. I'm sure many others share my opinions. Thanks
Nov 4, 2018 19:40:41 #
leenso52 wrote:
I need to understand the program especially catalo... (show quote)
You might consider reading the LR Help manual at the Adobe web site or found at the top of the application in the menu. You decide where images are put when you import. The LR catalog that you currently have contains all of the edits you have made to any images in that catalog. If you start a new catalog you cannot access the edits from the old one, UNLESS you export and import as a catalog and I think that might be too confusing for you at this point. You can re-arrange folders from within LR and that also changes them on your hard drive; that might be your best approach. So simply drag and drop as you need to, creating new folders and deleting folders where you have moved images out of them.
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