Mickey Finn

I have had to replace my hard drive recently. Thus, I had to reinstall Lightroom. I have all my work done in Lightroom 5.7.1. I have Lightroom 6 but havent used it. I just want to get back to where I was.

I have my catalog file as that I stored that remotely on a Raid 1 Dual HD so I think I am fine with that.

The issue I am having is that all my files are not imported. I have the question mark by each directory. I can individually point the directories in Lightroom to the file locations individually. But there are a lot of directories.

1) My question is there a better way to point the directories to the file locations. I recall seeing a way to do them all at one time. The files are located in one directory with each photo shoot in a sub directory.

2) I will want to upgrade to LR6 since I have it. I'm not sure if LR 6 has masking capability like LRc. That is a really cool feature. The question is LR 6 backward compatible to LR5? I could then fust point to my LR5 catalog I would think?

3) Can I converge two catalogs? I do have a small LR6 catalog and a large LR5 catalog.

Messing with catalogs makes me very uneasy. But I understand the concept and it is a good idea.

Thanks!

Thanks.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You might be just fine, but there's a lot "ifs" that will need to be resolved.

When you say you have LR6, how? And, why have you never installed / used it? Those are interesting questions, but the main issue is whether you ever registered the purchase with Adobe. com? You're going to need that s/n number in your Adobe profile to get the software to install properly. You can check your Adobe.com profile and see if the LR6 software is listed in your history of purchased.

Are you a windows user? The new Apple Mac OS does not support the LR6 software install process, making your LR5 / LR6 software worthless on these newest Mac OS versions.

The LR6 will 'import' the existing LR5 catalog into a new LR6 catalog, making the software upward compatible. LR6 was discontinued in Dec 2017. There are no updates since then, including no new 2022 masking features.

You can open LR in the Library and list the folders on the left of the window. You'll see the folder hierarchy. You can click the higher / highest-level folders and right-click the folder entry. Then, select "Update Folder Location". Navigate to the new / current location and <Select Folder>. All the images in that folder and sub-folders will dynamically update in the LR catalog. Repeat, as needed, until all your images are found / updated.

To 'merge' the catalogs, if you have / get the LR6 software installed, consider this your 'master'. From the LR6 software, you then import the LR5 catalog via File / Import from another catalog, navigate and use the LR5 catalog as the source.

Assure your LR6 software reports v6.14 from the Help Menu. If you don't have the final updates, you can expect unexpected problems with the LR6 software.

Mickey Finn

Thank you CHG_CANON. That was very helpful.

I have purchased and registered versions of LR5 and 6. I just tried to update LR6 to v6.14. No dice. It is time to research which LR is good for me and get current.

Will the LR5 catalog be usable in the current versions of LR.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

There are no update options via the software. Adobe turned off those servers / processing years ago. If you have the S/N and have been successful in the install / registration so far, try downloading and saving this install file and re-install the v6 software. This install should install as v6.14, check the Help / About when done and confirm.

You want to right-click the URL link and 'save link as', when downloaded successfully, then run the EXE.

Windows x64
http://prdl-download.adobe.com/Lightroom/60BA1251F1BC48B8B82B1B63AE8E620E/1552643270580/Lightroom_6_LS11.exe

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You can't go swapping the LRCAT files around. The LR5 catalog is the LR5 catalog. The LR6 catalog is the LR6 catalog. You can import the data from LR5 into LR6. The LR5 LRCAT remains unchanged by the import process where the LR5 is the source.

Mickey Finn

Yes, the link worked and LR6.14 is installed.

Your all right!

Thanks.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I am somewhat confused about this comment. I have both Lightroom CC 5.5 and Lightroom Classic 11.5 installed on two Macs, one an M1 MacBook Pro and the other an Intel MacBook Pro. Both Macs are running macOS 12.6 (Monterey). Are you referring to a very old version?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

As mentioned earlier in the thread, this topic is entirely about the standalone 'classic' software discontinued in 2015 (LR5) and 2017 (LR6). The entire topic has nothing to do with your subscription software.

Mickey Finn

Everything is up and running on LR6.14.....thanks to your help. I have read many of your posts before. You have helped many people. Thank you for helping me.

Yea, I will upgrade to a current version soon. I saw a bunch of info on compatibility between releases. I have to digest that info. But I think that the $9.99 version is best for me. Do not think that I will be using PS anytime soon. I want to look into Topaz soon also.

Good day, Mickey Finn

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thanks, glad to help!

I use LR6.14 myself, which I can continue to use to edit RAW from my own older cameras and my Win10 equipment. A day will come when I change my camera(s), and then I'll need / want to join the subscription crowd. Over the pandemic shut-in, I started learning and using my even older PSE-11, where I now have a modest bit of skills in PhotoShop and an interest / idea of how it will help when I subscribe to the full-strength version.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Micky and Paul,

Upgrade to the subscription now. Why? Because what Adobe has added since 6.14 is extraordinary. A preview of what's being added at their annual MAX convention is even more icing on the cake.

If you take my suggestion, be sure to pick the right $9.99 plan because one does not have Lightroom Classic, the replacement to 6.14.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Are you high, this early this morning? Worry about your own software.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

That is kind of an insulting tone! What's up? High?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Interesting the depth of understanding you have of other people's money.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I think I wrote a post about the different capabilities added to Lightroom in nearly 5 years. Where did I bring up other people's money?

The OP, Micky Finn, even wrote he was planning on going forward with spending money on a subscription: "Yea, I will upgrade to a current version soon.......I think that the $9.99 version is best for me." Then he added that "I want to look into Topaz soon also."