Downloaded Smart Previews After Sync into new Catalog

[DaBrownCO]

I know the question was asked and I have ideas as to the best solution(s), but so I don't totally mess things up, here I am.

I created a new Catalog and successfully got the contents of my old catalog into the new one. All was fine until I synched the new catalog as it brought in stuff from Lightroom (not LrC). I believe I likely should have chosen the option (?delete synced data), but did not. This created virtual copies that I have cleaned up, but also a lot of duplicates that show a filepath of Lightroom/Mobile Downloads.lrdata/downloaded-smart-previews.

I see the option in Sync Preferences (click the gear) to delete all Synced Data. Is this what I should do and resync?

Thank you

David

[Rob_Cullen · Accepted solution]

This question requires an answer from an expert, and that person is Dan Harford.

Find the results of his in-depth research into this confusing topic.

https://www.danhartfordphoto.com/blog/2025/2/lr027-clear-lr-cloud-and-stat-over-with-syncing

[DaBrownCO]

Rob, Wow! and I thought I'd have any easy fix. I read through and studied Dan's post, which is so helpful. I do have a question that I'd like to confirm with you:

1. If I don't edit in LR/D, and I don't have shared url's or anything yet in Adobe Portfolio, I don't have to worry about those sections.
2. My synced collections are what are messed up so I don't want to save anything from that. I can just resynch.

I know the above are correct, but writing it out makes me more comfortable.

Thanks,

David

[Rob_Cullen]

Thankfully I have never needed to change my synced LrC Catalog, so have not experienced the turmoil it seems to create. And I don't have the knowledge on this topic to confirm.

I could suggest the Lightroom Queen site where Dan ( @Califdan ) is also a regular with answers.

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/community/whats-new/

[DaBrownCO]

Ah, that Dan! Yes, I was studying his suggestions earlier. I believe my approach is correct. I'll know soon enough.