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Fotosetbyjames
Fotosetbyjames
Known Participant
December 20, 2024
Question

Moved catalog and started new - Sync files in Lightroom Classic not matching Lightroom (mobile)

  • December 20, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 611 views

Looking for help resolving an issue. Here is a rundown of what I did that resulted in this.

 

Wanted to start a new catalog since the one I had was so big, 500K + photos

 

  • Moved all catalog files to external drive as a backup
  • Created a new catalog in LR Classic
  • Prompted to sync to new catalog, selected yes assuming it would pull all prior sync catalogs from other LR Classic catalog
  • As sync completed, noticed many synced folders contained less files than prior, one about 8500 less photos
  • Noticed that also changed what was showing in Lightroom (mobile/cloud)
  • Opened old catalog in LR Classic hoping the sync files would show back up
  • One specific folder shows over 9500 photos but many now missing
  • Made sure the sync folder was the same as the prior sync folder on local drive
  • Let sync run and files still not returning
  • Lightroom (mobile/cloud) still shows way less photos so essentially appears I lost them?
  • Sync online shows zero issues

 

Looking for help getting back the prviously synced catalogs. Have I lost them? I have the actual files but would love to get back all the data, edits and have access to those again in the Lightroom app (mobile/cloud)

 

Any help is appreciated... really frustrating not being able to get a live person on the phone to assist in a reasonable time after being a paid member for so long.. 

 

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

dj_paige
dj_paige
Legend
December 20, 2024

You could just go back to the old catalog.

 

Explain why you wanted a new catalog. Having 500K Images is not a reason to create a new catalog.

R
Community Expert
richardplondonCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 20, 2024

As a tip, if one wanted to go forward with a leaner Catalog (archiving the one currently in use) it is better IMO to highlight all the images you want to take forward, and then use the Export As Catalog command. There are two important options to this: I would un-check the option "include originals/negatives" to avoid physically duplicating source files; and, check the option "include selected images only" to leave behind those images that you do not want. 

 

This approach preserves various Catalog specific aspects that would otherwise get lost. This includes the presence of any virtual copies; your editing History for each image; stacking and flagging and custom sort etc; membership of these images in any Collections; any Smart Collections you may have set up; keywords list and sets, various stuff like that. 

 

The option of bringing images into a different Catalog afresh, even if you have previously written out your latest edits to the source files, cannot preserve any of the above information. For virtual copies this means losing that entire version of the photo and all editing work invested in that. And in any case, losing all the virtual organisation work you've done within the Catalog.

Fotosetbyjames
FotosetbyjamesAuthor
Known Participant
December 20, 2024

Thanks for the details,  that helps. Is there a way to keep those synced files and still start new new catalog and have them auto populate from the cloud? Or is it best to export the specific ones I want as catalogs and then import that into my new main catalog? 

 

 

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