AHK Loc: Lakewood Ranch, Fl.

I have a Main Catalogues with numerous folders and photos.

I recently imported work from a new trip (Single trip...multiple folders) and erroneously created a 2nd Catalogue. How do I merge the 2nd Catalogue into the Main or transfer the folders to the Main?

Net result I want the new trip in my Main Catalogue and then delete the 2nd Catalogue.

My thanks

Chief Rob

Merging LR catalogs is possible. However it involves a six step process according to Victoria Bampton. Share your email address and I shall share the detailed six step process as per her book Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC/6, The Missing FAQ. ChiefRob.

AHK Loc: Lakewood Ranch, Fl.

Many thanks:

anokee1@gmail.com

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Here - so everyone who wants to learn can do so: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/merging-catalogs-overview/

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Victoria is very good. That video is about making a new master catalog from multiple smaller catalogs.

Since you know that all the images in the new 2nd catalog are new and unique from a trip, it is easier because you won't have duplicates.

File Menu and select "Import From Another Catalog".

I've done it only a couple times. Once it put folders under another folder that surprised me. It was easy to move those folders inside Lightroom to where I wanted them.

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

Interesting subject that I would like to get information on as well!

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

I agree.

The thing to remember is that the files from the camera and the catalog are entirely separate connected only by the full and literal address of the original files. So don’t be surprised that the catalog import is going to ask you if you want to copy the original files or not.

If the files referenced in the new, rogue, catalog were imported to the to the same destination On the as the normal catalog then the answer is no because they are already there. I have never tried that but either if would fail trying to copy a second file to the same location and probably the OS would ask you if you want to overwrite the destination or make a second copy (adding a -2 to the file name) either way you would be wasting time or disk space.

If the rogue import placed the files somewhere else then the answer is yes so that the added catalog entries will copied to the usual location and available.

If I further confused things with this response too early in the day either ask for clarification or go with the Lightroom Queen. Always a good idea anyway.

BobPeterson Loc: Massachusetts

If I imported them and right away noticed the mistake I would just import them again into the correct catalog. The merge process would only be required if you did a lot of work on them before noticing the error.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Hi. I do this often when I take trips. I use my laptop for the trip and then combine the catalogs when I get home. When I get home I use my camera card to import into my desktop as it's quicker for me than using the travel catalog images. I only need to merge the images that I've worked on in my travel catalog, as all of the other images will be imported using my camera card. So, the process for me would be to select any images I've worked on and then use the "export as catalog" function. For these images I would not need to actually export the image as the original image would be in the desktop catalog. I would then open my desktop catalog and use the "import as a catalog" function. As long as you don't change any file names the metadata from the travel catalog will magically adhere to the original image in your desktop catalog. Then if I've created any PS or TIF files in the travel catalog I would use the same procedure, but actually exporting the original file from the travel catalog to the desktop catalog. Read the online help manual on the Adobe website to get more information on this. If you are careful and precise it all works out fine. You can then delete your travel catalog and simply start a new one for your next trip.

Rmccully

I always call Adobe Lightroom and they walk me through it. They are very helpful.

DrAW45 Loc: Maumee Ohio

DrAW45@gmail.com
Please share the 6 step process.
THANKS

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

It is in her blog so there is no copyright problem.

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/blog/page/2/

ta5567

I would add one thing. Depending how you keep the actual files, you may want to move them into your central storage while in the catalog to be merged. This is simpler than moving the files after the merge.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

I must be out of it today, what does this even mean? I'm following this thread and what I'm reading at times does not make any sense at all. Must be me!

ta5567

I keep all my images on a single external drive. Lightroom can access images on multiple drives and or locations. When merging catalogs, it is easier (if desired) to move the files into the new file structure before the merge.

Use Lightroom, open the old catalog, move the files. Once the files are moved into the new location, merge the catalogs.