Mac LR Classic 16.0 and Exporting

Hi Chloe, sorry you're seeing this after the 16.0 update. I can't say what's causing it on your Mac Studio, but Adobe's official performance troubleshooting steps for Lightroom Classic are worth working through in order:

1. Optimize the catalog - in the Back Up Catalog dialog, select Test Integrity Before Backing Up and Optimize Catalog After Backing Up.

2. Make sure the drive that stores your catalog, previews and image files is at least 20% free.

3. Check the GPU setting - in Lightroom Classic > Preferences > Performance, check Use Graphics Processor. The GPU FAQ notes the Use Graphics Processor options (Auto / Custom / Off), including Use GPU for Export.

4. Pause 'Sync With Lightroom' while you are editing/exporting - syncing uses CPU and system resources.

5. Increase the Camera Raw cache - in Preferences > File Handling, under Camera Raw Cache Settings, try a Maximum Size of 10.0 GB or more.

Official docs:

Optimize performance in Lightroom Classic: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/desktop/technical-support/performance-guidelines/optimize-performance-lightroom.html

Lightroom Classic GPU FAQ: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/desktop/technical-support/technical-issues/gpu-issues/lightroom-gpu-faq.html

If you try these, it would help to know whether a small export is also slow, and whether changing the Use GPU for Export setting changes the timing at all.