Lightroom Mobile Smart Preview Workflow

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
July 13, 2022
2 replies
1016 views

Here is my current workflow. I have LR classic on my MacBook this is also where my catalog is stored. My image files are on a NAS. I normally edit my images here once I am back home.

When i am on the road I insert my cameras card using a card reader into my iPad Pro and import them into LR mobile as the originals (.NEF for nikon).

If I don't have internet access, does LR mobile create a "smart preview" or am i just working with my full .NEF file?

I I have internet access I notice that LR mobile begins synching the images, but it also says it is downloading a "smart preview".

So can someone explain the flow of data, I thought when I imported the images from my card to the ipad that LR mobile created a smart preview locally, then sent the original .NEF to the cloud.

thanks

tim

This topic has been closed for replies.

Sean McCormack

Community Expert

As Jim says Smart Previews are generated in the cloud, but in the case of mobile, it uploads full resolution files rather than the Smart Previews of Classic. Until you connect to the net, nothing's being uploaded and you're working with the original files.

When the NEF is eventually uploaded, Lightroom then creates a Smart Preview for the device and removes the NEF from it. The full file is available online.

Sean McCormack. Author of 'Essential Development 3'. Magazine Writer. Former Official Fuji X-Photographer.

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Tim5C22Author

Known Participant

Thanks Sean, what i think i may be running into is that it is not downloading the smart preview back to my ipad. I need to do some more troubleshooting.

DdeGannes

Community Expert

On your iPad there is an option in settings to select if to have originals or smart previews on your iPad.

Regards, Denis: iMac 27” mid-2015, macOS 11.7.10 Big Sur; 2TB SSD, 24 GB Ram, GPU 2 GB; LrC 12.5,; Lr 6.5, PS 24.7,; ACR 15.5,; (also Laptop Win 11, ver 24H2, LrC 15.0.1, PS 27.0; ) Camera Oly OM-D E-M1.

Jim Wilde

Community Expert

I think Smart Previews are only generated in the cloud, so that until your imported files have been uploaded to the cloud you will only have an original locally. However, you can easily verify this: select an image and choose the Edit panel, then two-finger tap on the image to cycle through the Info overlays (off, Histogram, Info). The Info overlay should tell you on the top line if you are working with a Smart Preview or the Original.

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Tim5C22Author

Known Participant

thank you Jim, that may answer a lot of questions.

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