Migrating LR from Windows to M1 Mac mini
May 7, 2021 13:30:20 #
I need to migrate LR from a windows machine to an Apple mac. My LR catalog is on an external hard drive that I plan to plug into the Mac. I read an article that indicated this may be an issue, but did not have detailed advice on how to deal with this situation. Hoping someone who has done this can offer advice.
Thanks!
Thanks!
May 7, 2021 13:46:18 #
I'd probably google your question like "migrate LR from a windows machine to an Apple mac". I'd read about the process from the several links in the results set.
The major problem is going to be the 'path' to your images. Windows uses drive letters, like C / D / F / G / etc. One mac, the path has a name and no drive letter assignment. Inside LR, each image file is stored with the absolute path, both the drive-letter / drive-name and the folder structure and the file name.
This discussion acknowledges the difference in the drive path at the end of the post, but then the author just glosses over this significant problem without really explaining how to solve.
https://fstoppers.com/education/how-move-your-lightroom-catalog-between-pc-and-mac-218686
You just need to get the catalog and previews to the new computer and open LR on the mac pointing to the LRCAT file. In the best / easiest world, all your images are under a single high-level structure, so you can just view the folders in the LR Library and right-click that highest folder and select "Update Folder Location" and navigate to the new location. Then, that update will cascade through the catalog.
Another caveat is you should have the same LR version on Windows that you'll use on the mac, just with the equipment and OS change. If you change versions, you might want to create a new empty LRCAT on the new mac during the install. Then, use the 'File / Import from another catalog' and point to your copied LRCAT file. You'll probably still have to update the image locates as mentioned earlier.
The major problem is going to be the 'path' to your images. Windows uses drive letters, like C / D / F / G / etc. One mac, the path has a name and no drive letter assignment. Inside LR, each image file is stored with the absolute path, both the drive-letter / drive-name and the folder structure and the file name.
This discussion acknowledges the difference in the drive path at the end of the post, but then the author just glosses over this significant problem without really explaining how to solve.
https://fstoppers.com/education/how-move-your-lightroom-catalog-between-pc-and-mac-218686
You just need to get the catalog and previews to the new computer and open LR on the mac pointing to the LRCAT file. In the best / easiest world, all your images are under a single high-level structure, so you can just view the folders in the LR Library and right-click that highest folder and select "Update Folder Location" and navigate to the new location. Then, that update will cascade through the catalog.
Another caveat is you should have the same LR version on Windows that you'll use on the mac, just with the equipment and OS change. If you change versions, you might want to create a new empty LRCAT on the new mac during the install. Then, use the 'File / Import from another catalog' and point to your copied LRCAT file. You'll probably still have to update the image locates as mentioned earlier.
May 7, 2021 21:31:17 #
May 8, 2021 09:44:02 #
morkie
Loc: Simi Valley CA
LiamRowan wrote:
Thx so much for all the tips. Really appreciate it!
The Capture One website also has an article and I believe a video on importing a LR catalog which might provide some quidance.
May 8, 2021 09:48:13 #
I have a couple of thoughts
First, if you are buying the from an Apple store ask them how to do it. They seem to know LR pretty well because it is a common app customers use. A few years ago my daughter arrive with a Mac book that had crashed to an unrecoverable “panic”. (Belaying it’s heritage, the BSD panic is the decades old Unix (BSD) equivalent of the dreaded Windows blue screen of death.) She took it to an Apple store where she learned the only recovery is to reinstall the OS overwriting everything including her LR installation. The Apple genius said they can’t save the files but he knew exactly how to restore her LR catalog. Unfortunately, her Time Machine backup disk was on the other coast. But they were conversant with the application.
Second, we have for nearly 10 years used the export/import a catalog to share and collaborate via long distance using Dropbox as a communication mechanism. Perhaps import catalog will work from your removable disk. It’s worth a try.
First, if you are buying the from an Apple store ask them how to do it. They seem to know LR pretty well because it is a common app customers use. A few years ago my daughter arrive with a Mac book that had crashed to an unrecoverable “panic”. (Belaying it’s heritage, the BSD panic is the decades old Unix (BSD) equivalent of the dreaded Windows blue screen of death.) She took it to an Apple store where she learned the only recovery is to reinstall the OS overwriting everything including her LR installation. The Apple genius said they can’t save the files but he knew exactly how to restore her LR catalog. Unfortunately, her Time Machine backup disk was on the other coast. But they were conversant with the application.
Second, we have for nearly 10 years used the export/import a catalog to share and collaborate via long distance using Dropbox as a communication mechanism. Perhaps import catalog will work from your removable disk. It’s worth a try.
May 8, 2021 15:02:17 #
LiamRowan wrote:
I need to migrate LR from a windows machine to an Apple mac. My LR catalog is on an external hard drive that I plan to plug into the Mac. I read an article that indicated this may be an issue, but did not have detailed advice on how to deal with this situation. Hoping someone who has done this can offer advice.
Thanks!
Thanks!
The difference between Windows (I assume 10) and Mac is the file system - NTFS vs APFS. Mac APFS will read NTFS drives such as probably is your external drive but cannot write to them. I also believe APFS formatted drives can be written to by Windows 10 but I'm not sure about this - haven't tried it. You say your Lightroom catalogue is on an external drive - do you use it as your catalogue when editing or is it a copy of the catalogue on your HDD? The point here is if the external catalogue is your main catalogue then your Mac will probably read it but will not write any editing details to it. You will have to copy the catalogue to your new Mac and then get Lightroom to open it as the main catalogue. Cheers and good luck.
P.S. Mac is not better than Windows for photo editing - I say this having 3 iMacs, 2 MacBook Pros and a MacMini on which I run Windows10
May 8, 2021 15:36:27 #
LiamRowan wrote:
I need to migrate LR from a windows machine to an Apple mac. My LR catalog is on an external hard drive that I plan to plug into the Mac. I read an article that indicated this may be an issue, but did not have detailed advice on how to deal with this situation. Hoping someone who has done this can offer advice.
Thanks!
Thanks!
By now you have your answer, but there’s one more note: External drives that you share with Windows should be formatted as ExFAT. NTFS is read-only on Macs, unless using special utilities.
Back-up, back-up, and back-up…
May 8, 2021 18:04:12 #
I just remembered around 10 years ago I attended a local Lightroom workshop. I just exported as a catalog a handful of photos for the workshop to a USB thumb drive. At the workshop I just plugged the Windows created drive into an Apple, double clicked on the .lrcat file and LR opened up just fine. LR 4 and whatever they call a mac in a little box.
Then I checked the font of all Lightroom knowledge The Lightroom Queen.
“The process of moving your catalog cross-platform is exactly the same as moving to a new machine of the same platform.” From “ ADOBE LIGHTROOM CLASSIC - THE MISSING FAQ” page 445. If you don’t own a copy you should. It is worth whatever they charge.
Then I checked the font of all Lightroom knowledge The Lightroom Queen.
“The process of moving your catalog cross-platform is exactly the same as moving to a new machine of the same platform.” From “ ADOBE LIGHTROOM CLASSIC - THE MISSING FAQ” page 445. If you don’t own a copy you should. It is worth whatever they charge.
May 10, 2021 12:13:15 #
Thanks everyone. I decided to sidestep the issue of the external drive by copying my LR catalog onto my new mac hard drive. Then I followed the Adobe support page instructions on linking the catalog to LR on mac and things went smoothly. I will eventually transfer everything back to an external drive, but have decided to spend the time needed to select the ideal external drive for me.
Bottom line, couldn't have done it without the generous and savvy UHH members sharing their expertise. Thanks a million!
Bottom line, couldn't have done it without the generous and savvy UHH members sharing their expertise. Thanks a million!
May 10, 2021 13:29:40 #
LiamRowan wrote:
Thanks everyone. I decided to sidestep the issue ... (show quote)
Most excellent! Did anyone notice that there were no attacks on LR by folks that basically don’t want to pay for software?
May 10, 2021 15:47:46 #
LiamRowan wrote:
Thanks everyone. I decided to sidestep the issue ... (show quote)
Liam, be aware of the differences among drive interface standards that share the same USB-C connector. There are many standards for both USB and Thunderbolt.
The Mac supports up to USB 4 and Thunderbolt 3, but you should buy Thunderbolt 4 cables, which support every current standard.
You may REQUIRE a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 hub or dock to get maximum speed from high performance drives. Also, using an HDMI monitor interface can slow down Thunderbolt ports dramatically.
Caveat emptor…
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.