Lightroom 5.2 Question: I download the trial version of LR5 from Adobe. I went into Amazon and found the same software for about $16 less. My question is, if I buy the CD from Amazon...

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

I download the trial version of LR5 from Adobe. I went into Amazon and found the same software for about $16 less. My question is, if I buy the CD from Amazon, I have to delete the downloaded copy from Adobe, will my pictures be deleted when I delete the software? I would like to load the CD from Amazon and keep the pictures that I downloaded into the Adobe version. Thanks.

EstherP

From my experience buying PSE - never directly from Adobe, always from a local brick-and-mortar store - there will be a number somewhere on the box the disk is in (The plastic CD box, not the cardboard packaging).
All you have to do is enter that number to register the copy on your computer now - assuming it is exactly the same version. It's been a while, but I think you'll find the path for entering that number under "help"
EstherP

davidcaley Loc: Utah

Your pictures are not in LR they should be placed by you in a chosen place on hard drive. The images are Imported into LR Catalog, that is a link to the stored photo. Your question is: will my original catalog open with a new install of LR.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Davidcaley is correct, the images on the hard drive are quite safe. The question is have you made Lightroom Adjustments to those images? These will be recorded in xmp files for raw files or in the database for jpg/tiff files.

I had LR 3.6, bought a brand new LR4 and simply imported the catalogue into LR4 - absolutely no problems at all.
If you have an external drive, I suggest you copy the previews and other support files to that as a "just in case" back up. This can be done from the LR Catalog Settings.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The boxed version from Amazon will likely be 5.0. If you downloaded LR since Sept 17 you have 5.2.

Do as Esther says. All you need is a legit serial number.

If you bought the CD and installed it, the first thing you should do is "Help>Check for updates..." and you would be downloading 5.2 again.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

Just rename LRCAT created with Adobe's download, (to avoid it being over written) to preserve any PPing you may have done. After loading the new LR5, updating it, you should be able to open that saved CAT as LR can have as many CAT's as you want. Then if needed, go back and rename that original CAT file. Multiple CAT's can become a challenge to keep tract of. Not a great idea of filing, IMO. Personally I prefer One CAT with Hundreds of folders, not the other way round.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

OnDSnap wrote:

Just rename LRCAT created with Adobe's download, (to avoid it being over written) to preserve any PPing you may have done. After loading the new LR5, updating it, you should be able to open that saved CAT as LR can have as many CAT's as you want. Then if needed, go back and rename that original CAT file. Multiple CAT's can become a challenge to keep tract of. Not a great idea of filing, IMO. Personally I prefer One CAT with Hundreds of folders, not the other way round.

Sounds great, thanks.

K7DJJ Loc: Spring Hill, FL

MikeMcK wrote:

I download the trial version of LR5 from Adobe. I went into Amazon and found the same software for about $16 less. My question is, if I buy the CD from Amazon, I have to delete the downloaded copy from Adobe, will my pictures be deleted when I delete the software? I would like to load the CD from Amazon and keep the pictures that I downloaded into the Adobe version. Thanks.

I downloaded the trial last month and later bought a boxed copy. All I did was enter the numbers from the paid copy into the downloaded one and never used the paid disk.

Doug

Gibar

MikeMcK wrote:

I download the trial version of LR5 from Adobe. I went into Amazon and found the same software for about $16 less. My question is, if I buy the CD from Amazon, I have to delete the downloaded copy from Adobe, will my pictures be deleted when I delete the software? I would like to load the CD from Amazon and keep the pictures that I downloaded into the Adobe version. Thanks.

Yes your pictures will be just fine. Buy your copy of LR5 from Amazon or any other place you find the best price. Enter the serial number (activation number) from the cd into the trial version that you are currently using. No need to delete or remove the trial version. It will convert it to a registered copy the same as if you loaded the disc
After all that is said and done, prepare yourself for a big update as Adobe will update your registered copy of LR5.0 to 5.1. And again no need to move photos, everything will work out fine.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

MikeMcK wrote:

I download the trial version of LR5 from Adobe. I went into Amazon and found the same software for about $16 less. My question is, if I buy the CD from Amazon, I have to delete the downloaded copy from Adobe, will my pictures be deleted when I delete the software? I would like to load the CD from Amazon and keep the pictures that I downloaded into the Adobe version. Thanks.

I would think the serial number that comes on the CD package can be put into the trial version to make it become active as a full-fledged package without having to re-install the whole thing.

Secondly, LR only catalogs where your photos are on your hard drive, it doesn't store them within itself, so deleting and re-installing LR isn't going to do anything to your photos. But the catalog that is in the trial will likely go away and you'll have to re-catalog the photos back into the new version.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

marcomarks wrote:

I would think the serial number that comes on the ... (show quote)

Or Rename or remove the IRCAT extension from the existing catalog prior to installing so the new install can't find it, (unless it's an update (not sure if the update needs it to legitimize the install) then after install of LR5, then delete the newly created LRCAT after install &rename the old back to include the ircat extension...then just go to File>open catalog, and your done.
By all means though, back up the Catalog before you do anything.