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Known Participant
May 1, 2011
Open for Voting

P: Allow Catalog to be stored on a networked drive.

  • May 1, 2011
  • 559 replies
  • 13787 views

I'd love to make LR more multi-computer friendly. I have no doubt that there's probably database architecture issues and a host of other barriers... But I have to believe that the need for either multi-user or at at lease multi-computer use is widely desired. And yes, I know you can do the catalog import export thing but I find this less than ideal.

559 replies

areohbee
Legend
August 14, 2012
I understand your concern, but you can't corrupt your catalog this way, the worst that will happen is you lose some work done by forgetting to copy over. Perhaps follow a regimen of backing up locally before copying to network, so you can consolidate in case of mistake. I realize a main objective of your post is to communicate your desire to Adobe - mission accomplished. In the mean time, wouldn't a work-around be better than nothing? - It may take Adobe several years to implement a real solution, if they ever do...
EdwardJohnAllen
Inspiring
August 14, 2012
Its worth a look Rob, but it really worries me that if I was doing this type of manouvre I'd end up making some dumb mistake, and accidentally ruin my catalog.

the peace of mind of having it all "automated" at source by Adobe would really be a blessing

Thanks
areohbee
Legend
August 14, 2012
If all you want is to work on the same catalog from 2 different computers (not simultaneously) without dragging an external drive around, and you have a network, why not just copy the catalog to the network, then copy it to the next computer? If you want to automate it, then use one of the work-arounds like Amy Martz has mentioned above. Also there is a customizable script (Python) for sharing a catalog if you want:

http://www.robcole.com/Rob/ProductsAn...

Rob
EdwardJohnAllen
Inspiring
August 14, 2012
I'd really welcome this idea, for example tonight I want to carry on editing my pictures (which all sit on my main PC) while I sit in bed watching a bit of TV!

It's a pain being tied to the main PC, especially as I have Lightroom with matching settings on BOTH machines, so all it would require is the ability to edit across a network....

What say you Adobe? how about focusing on a real important issue rather than something "headline catching" but quite un-required like much of the new stuff in Lr 4!
Participant
August 9, 2012
I've been wanting to incorporate Lightroom into my company's image workflow for years, but the non-workgroup issue has been a solid shopstopper. That it didn't show up in version 4 was a genuine and unpleasant surprice.

Otherwise, Lightroom would fit perfectly: Our need is to tag pictures, so our large and still growing image library would be a true asset. It would be so nice to be able to search for "product x" in "sunlight" at "that place", something which right now resides in the heads of me and my colleagues.

But if that functionality is limited to one person on one computer, then forget about it. Lightroom without a shared database is limited to hobbyist/single photographer use.

Shame for all of us, both us who want to use Lightroom and Adobe. This isn't a nice-to-have like the rest of the feature request in the ideas forum - it's a very, very real barrier against the professional market.
Participant
August 9, 2012
I've been wanting to incorporate Lightroom into my company's image workflow for years, but the non-workgroup issue has been a solid shopstopper. That it didn't show up in version 4 was a genuine and unpleasant surprice.

Otherwise, Lightroom would fit perfectly: Our need is to tag pictures, so our large and still growing image library would be a true asset. It would be so nice to be able to search for "product x" in "sunlight" at "that place", something which right now resides in the heads of me and my colleagues.

But if that functionality is limited to one person on one computer, then forget about it. Lightroom without a shared database is limited to hobbyist/single photographer use.

Shame for all of us, both us who want to use Lightroom and Adobe. This isn't a nice-to-have like the rest of the feature request in the ideas forum - it's a very, very real barrier against the professional market.
Participant
August 9, 2012
I've been wanting to incorporate Lightroom into my company's image workflow for years, but the non-workgroup issue has been a solid shopstopper. That it didn't show up in version 4 was a genuine and unpleasant surprice.

Otherwise, Lightroom would fit perfectly: Our need is to tag pictures, so our large and still growing image library would be a true asset. It would be so nice to be able to search for "product x" in "sunlight" at "that place", something which right now resides in the heads of me and my colleagues.

But if that functionality is limited to one person on one computer, then forget about it. Lightroom without a shared database is limited to hobbyist/single photographer use.

Shame for all of us, both us who want to use Lightroom and Adobe. This isn't a nice-to-have like the rest of the feature request in the ideas forum - it's a very, very real barrier against the professional market.
Participant
July 28, 2012
Adobe is so close to revolutionizing the workflow process with Lightroom, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Revel. I really hope that there is a plan for more integration and seamless workflow.

Organizing, editing, and sharing are what it's all about.

It would be absolutely fabulous if we could download photos from camera to one program______ (you fill in the blank).

Step 2: pick out our favorite photos on either Ipad or Computer.

Step 3: Tag, rename and organize files and have an automated Backup option like Lightroom.

Step 4: Then chose to edit photos on Ipad or Laptop or Desk computer without duplicates that sync across the board.

Step 5: Once photos are edited then share them across what ever avenue we want be it email, Revel, Muse, Facebook, ect.

This would be a perfect workflow.

You guys are SOOOOO Close. Keep rocking it! We are headed in the right direction!!
Participant
July 28, 2012
I have done this by using Dropbox. I found this article and it has been working for me ever since! I'm sure this would work with Google Drive as well!

You just have to be careful to let Dropbox fully download before you use it on another computer otherwise it will create a duplicate file. Other than that it works great because Dropbox stores the file on your computer so it isn't considered an external hard drive. Enjoy!

Cloud based Lightroom Catalogues | work on the same Lightroom catalogue from multiple computers!

How to make Lightroom a net-workable application by storing it in the cloud.
Smart workaround if your planning to access the same Lightroom catalogue from multiple machines. We have set this up in our own office and it works beautifully on 3 iMac’s running Lion OSX, the only limitation is that only one computer can have the catalogue open at a time and you will need to mount the drive with your images for the additional computers.

1. Sign up for a free Dropbox account. Here is direct link to sign up to get a free 2GB Dropbox account. www.dropbox.com

2. Download and install the Dropbox application for your platform/operating system on all computers where you want to share your Lightroom catalogues. Check the box ‘Enable LAN sync’ in the preferences panel to take advantage of your home network speed syncing the Dropbox files to your other networked computers.

3. Either create a new Lightroom catalogue, in a new folder in your Dropbox, or move an excising catalogue there. We suggest using the minimal previews in the catalogue settings, for this method to save syncing time and Dropbox space.
if you don’t know where your Lightroom catalogues are click Lightroom on the top menu bar and click ‘catalogue Settings’. On top of the information panel you can see the path, click ‘Show’ and Lightroom will open the folder for you.

4. Now wait for the catalogue to sync through Dropbox to your other computers. When synced (you will know that the sync is finished, when folder has a green tick on it), open the catalogue in Lightroom on the second computer, if you get question marks on the images, meaning missing folder or files, mount the drive with your images either through finder on MAC or Explorer on PC, and your catalogue and files will be ready to use just like on your other computer in the library module.

5. And just as a reminder, to always close the Lightroom catalogue on one computer before accessing it on the other. Check in your Dropbox folder that it has the green check before opening just to be safe you got the latest updates synced as well. Lightroom does have a safety feature with .lock files so your files and catalogue will be safe even if you manage to forget. We have couple times, no harm done.

Now here is something else you can do to speed up your Dropbox synchronized Adobe Lightroom catalogues!

This feature removes the preview data from syncing resulting in a great deal less syncing time, and lots more space for your catalogues. Lightroom will rebuild the new previews much faster in the destination ends rather than syncing all the preview data through the cloud.

Dropbox Selective Sync.
1. Access Dropbox Preferences by clicking the blue Dropbox icon in your menu bar.
2. In the preferences panel go to the Advanced tab and click Change Settings for Selective Sync.

3. Click Switch to Advance View at the bottom of the dialog window.

4. When in Advanced View select your Lightroom catalogue folder and uncheck the .lrdata folder, this is where your previews are stored. By unchecking you stop the syncing of these previews and only sync the catalogue resulting in much quicker syncing! Press the update button to confirm.

5. Press update a second time; now repeat this process in your Dropbox preferences on your other computers sharing this Lightroom catalogue.

http://www.color-shop.co/share-lightr...
Inspiring
June 28, 2012
another vote for multi machine syncing.