LR Catalog Assist - Pointing to different location
Feb 23, 2022 13:17:41 #
I am not sure how this happened, but recently LR started pointing to a new catalog in my C>Pictures folder. The "real" catalog containing all my images and edits is in another location. I can find info online about moving and copying a catalog, but not to simply repoint LR to the old catalog in its correct location. Advice? Thanks.
Feb 23, 2022 13:26:48 #
The quick fix is close LR and to navigate to the proper LRCAT location using your OS file viewer. Just double-click the file and it will launch LR and that LRCAT will be the active catalog.
Next, go to the wrong LRCAT file, again using your OS file / folder viewer. Rename that file to something clearly marking it's wrong / out-dated purpose. In Windows, you can select the file and press <F2> and rename the file. Repeat for as many 'wrong' LRCAT files as you have laying around on your system.
Next, go to the wrong LRCAT file, again using your OS file / folder viewer. Rename that file to something clearly marking it's wrong / out-dated purpose. In Windows, you can select the file and press <F2> and rename the file. Repeat for as many 'wrong' LRCAT files as you have laying around on your system.
Feb 23, 2022 13:53:13 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The quick fix is close LR and to navigate to the p... (show quote)
Thanks for that great tip! It hasn’t happened to me but I have Filed it for future reference.
Feb 23, 2022 14:44:40 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The quick fix is close LR and to navigate to the p... (show quote)
I generally don't fool around in the Lightroom Folder. But I took a look today. See attached screen shot. There are 3 LRCAT files. Per your advice I will delete the older ones.
Question. Are there other files in there that can or should be deleted?
Feb 23, 2022 14:57:50 #
Dude, you are worth your weight in gold! Worked like a charm.
Follow up question. The catalog in the wrong location has several days worth of work in it. Is there a way to merge this catalog into the now-correctly linked original catalog?
There are only a few images in the new catalog, so if there is much of a risk here it would not be worth the attempt. But you sure made the first problem easy to solve!
Wm
Follow up question. The catalog in the wrong location has several days worth of work in it. Is there a way to merge this catalog into the now-correctly linked original catalog?
There are only a few images in the new catalog, so if there is much of a risk here it would not be worth the attempt. But you sure made the first problem easy to solve!
Wm
Feb 23, 2022 14:59:25 #
JD750 wrote:
I generally don't fool around in the Lightroom Folder. But I took a look today. See attached screen shot. There are 3 LRCAT files. Per your advice I will delete the older ones.
Question. Are there other files in there that can or should be deleted?
Question. Are there other files in there that can or should be deleted?
Some of these are version 'transition' catalogs. Although the last-modified date-stamps are useful to identify what is not actively being used, it's best to go inside LR and confirm the current active catalog. File / Edit / Catalog Settings shows both the file name and folder.
Based on your screen print and the date stamps, the current catalog should confirm as: Lightroom Catalog-2-2-v10-v11.lrcat
If desired, I believe you can rename this file to more clearly identify its current status, maybe as: Lightroom Catalog-Feb2022-v11.lrcat , or something similarly descriptive and unique. All the related files with yesterday's timestamps you should leave alone. Just double-click that renamed LRCAT and confirm LR opens and is operational, such as edit an image and export an image.
Once confirmed, rather than 'delete', try moving the seemingly extraneous LRCAT files to some other location, either as back-up or a temp folder to be deleted later. Again, after confirming no negative impact in the active LRCAT and LR functionality, you can then delete the moved files. The files with just v10 in the name seem outdated as well as the v10-v11.lrcat-data file.
Assuming you periodically remember to clean-up your 'backup' folder of outdated backups, just 'move' the extraneous LRCAT files into the Backup, and delete them later along with your normal periodic clean-up of this folder.
Feb 23, 2022 15:01:25 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Some of these are version 'transition' catalogs. A... (show quote)
Yep it's using Lightroom Catalog-2-2-v10-v11.lrcat
Thank you for the detailed reply and the expert advice.
Feb 23, 2022 15:05:48 #
LiamRowan wrote:
Dude, you are worth your weight in gold! Worked like a charm.
Follow up question. The catalog in the wrong location has several days worth of work in it. Is there a way to merge this catalog into the now-correctly linked original catalog?
There are only a few images in the new catalog, so if there is much of a risk here it would not be worth the attempt. But you sure made the first problem easy to solve!
Wm
Follow up question. The catalog in the wrong location has several days worth of work in it. Is there a way to merge this catalog into the now-correctly linked original catalog?
There are only a few images in the new catalog, so if there is much of a risk here it would not be worth the attempt. But you sure made the first problem easy to solve!
Wm
You can import from one catalog by pointing to another. Or, you can open the older / incorrect one and sort your entire catalog by last-edit date and multi-select those 'recent' images and export as a catalog. Then, use just that small-temp catalog as the source import to your main catalog. You'll be closing and opening different catalogs, so don't get confused, such as consider clearly naming / renaming each LRCAT file to assure the purpose of each file, then just double-click to open.
The export as catalog comes from the File menu rather than the Export dialog. The import from another catalog also comes from the File menu. If your two catalogs are about the same size with mostly the same common images, LR runs for a while comparing the images and finally gives you an option for how to import the differences. It's up to you do decide which is the easier process. Export / import or just compare and import.
Feb 23, 2022 15:09:17 #
JD750 wrote:
Yep it's using Lightroom Catalog-2-2-v10-v11.lrcat
Thank you for the detailed reply and the expert advice.
Thank you for the detailed reply and the expert advice.
Glad to help. I cleaned a few minor typos too in what is now posted.
Feb 23, 2022 15:13:02 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
You can import from one catalog by pointing to ano... (show quote)
Great! Thanks again!
Feb 24, 2022 07:48:23 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The quick fix is close LR and to navigate to the p... (show quote)
A keeper. Good to know.
Feb 24, 2022 10:21:40 #
Just a quick warning from a seasoned Lr user. Do NOT delete/erase Lr's operating files UNLESS you understand what's going on and you know what you are doing. CHG CANON's gave good advice. Best of luck.
Feb 24, 2022 23:08:33 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
The quick fix is close LR and to navigate to the p... (show quote)
Very good point Paul. I had to learn quite a few years ago on my own how to do what you have stated here, but is was a fun time as some friends of mine that worked with me for the DEA came over with 2 Fifths of Crown Royal, and then our in home techie taught me just what you said, even though I had it down. I just have weird friends, that's all.
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