HDR Merges take much longer than previously

[Zach15B9]

Before updating to LRC 15 last week I routinely blitzed through bulk HDR merges of dozens of images in just a few minutes, as well as other dng processing/import from DXO Pure Raw, and now these tasks are taking an exorbitant amount of time to complete. This is destryong my work flow at a critical time for my clients. Any help is greatly appreciated... thanks!

System info here:

Lightroom Classic version: 15.0.1 [ 202511041508-dddee541 ]
License: Creative Cloud
Language setting: en-US
Operating system: Mac OS 15
Version: 15.6.1 [24G90]
Application architecture: arm64
Logical processor count: 14
Processor speed: NA
SqLite Version: 3.36.0
Adobe GSDK Version: 1.4.0.171

Power Source: Plugged In, 100%
Built-in memory: 36,864.0 MB
Dedicated GPU memory used by Lightroom: 2,498.5MB / 27,648.0MB (9%)
Real memory available to Lightroom: 36,864.0 MB
Real memory used by Lightroom: 6,523.8 MB (17.6%)
Virtual memory used by Lightroom: 428,469.5 MB
Memory cache size: 3,749.5MB
Internal Camera Raw version: 18.0 [ 2389 ]
Maximum thread count used by Camera Raw: 5
Camera Raw SIMD optimization: SSE2
Camera Raw virtual memory: 794MB / 18431MB (4%)
Camera Raw real memory: 794MB / 36864MB (2%)

Cache1:
Final1- RAM:183.0MB, VRAM:14.0MB, syncwm_ext_176.dng
NT- RAM:183.0MB, VRAM:14.0MB, Combined:197.0MB

Cache2:
m:3,749.5MB, n:169.3MB

U-main: 317.0MB

Standard Preview Size: 1440 pixels
Displays: 1) 3456x2234

Graphics Processor Info:
Metal: Apple M4 Max
Init State: GPU for Export supported by default
User Preference: Auto
Enable HDR in Library: OFF
GPU for Preview Generation: Auto (S5_27)

Application folder: /Applications/Adobe Lightroom Classic
Library Path: /Users/zachrolen/Lightroom/LR-5/LR-5-2-2-2-v13-3.lrcat
Settings Folder: /Users/zachrolen/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom

Installed Plugins:
1) AdobeStock
2) DxO PureRAW 4
3) DxO PureRAW 4 Importer
4) LR/Enfuse
5) Luminar Neo
6) Nik 7 HDR Efex
7) Plugin Parameters

Config.lua flags:

[Aleke]

Hi @Zach15B9, welcome to the community!
Could you try a few things so we can narrow down what’s happening? First, please double-check that all your third-party plugins are updated to their latest versions. If the issue continues, try disabling the plugins one by one to see if any of them might be causing the problem.
It would also help to know if the same issue occurs in a brand-new catalog. That way, we can rule out any catalog-specific problems.
Thanks so much!
Alek

[Zach15B9]

Hi @Aleke

I appreciate the prompt reply. I just test ran a similar bulk HDR merge operation in a brand new test catalog and had no issues. So it must be a catalog-specific issue? It has been optimized since updating Lightroom. Please advise on next steps.

Thank you

[Zach15B9]

The issue I'm having seems to be with importing the new dng files after batch processing through Lightroom's HDR merge tool or after processing with the DXO Pure Raw plugin. 

[Zach15B9]

@Aleke 

Just checking back in. My primary catalog is having slow import issues. 

Thanks

[CMass]

Hey @Zach15B9, 

Can you share how many files are in your primary catalog and where are these images stored?

^CM

[Zach15B9]

Hi @CMass 

There are nearly 300,000 files and 7.5 GB. The catalog itself and about 16,000 files are stored locally on my laptop, with the remaing files on various external hard drives.

Perhaps I can start archiving old projects to a different catalog. However I was having no issues until the updgrade to LR 15. 

Thanks

[Noel Orridge]

Hey @Zach15B9! I totally get how annoying this can be, especially after the latest update. Since you mentioned this isn't a problem with a fresh catalog, give this a shot:

1) Uninstall the current DXO Pure Raw plugin and install the latest version again.

2) Bring your catalog into a new one: Hold the OPT key and open Lightroom Classic with a new catalog > go to File > Import from catalog > select your current catalog. Merge your old catalog into this new test catalog and see if that resolves the issue. If you need more guidance, check out this video: Merging Individual Lightroom Catalogs into a “Master” Catalog

Let us know how this goes! 

Thanks a bunch! 

[Zach15B9]

Hi @Noel Orridge 

Thanks for the reply. I've tried "import from another catalog" multiple times and each time upon clicking import, the window shown in the attached screenshot closes and nothing happens.