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

[Fotosetbyjames]

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.. 

[dj_paige]

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.

[richardplondon]

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]

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? 

[richardplondon]

I don't do much at all with syncing so can't advise from experience. My suggestion for "leanness" was in case you wanted to reduce image numbers within the library. If that is not the case, it would merely be duplicating the same thing which ultimately (once new previews are generated) would end up in the same situation - all else being equal.

If it's the previews infrastructure that is concerning you, but you still want all those images in the library, as already commented the obvious first step to review Catalog and LrC settings which relate to preview generation and also to preview expiry and removal.

[Fotosetbyjames]

The size, 183gb taking up so much space. Otherwise I'd keep it going.

[JohanElzenga]

The size, 183gb taking up so much space. Otherwise I'd keep it going.

By @Fotosetbyjames

183 GB for just the catalog file (the .lrcat file)? Or 183 GB for the entire catalog folder? The catalog file for 500,000 images should not be bigger than perhaps 20 GB, unless you have many edits and many history steps. 183GB for the entire catalog folder is not large at all for a 500,000 images catalog. That size is to be expected because of the previews. You can set a maximum size for the previews cache in the 'Catalog Settings', but don't expect miracles.

[Fotosetbyjames]

Yes just the file. Lots of edit history going back to probably 2014 on some files. 

[JohanElzenga]

In that case I would start by purging all that history. It makes the catalog file excessively large, and I find it hard to believe you would ever use it for anything. Don't forget to run 'Optimize Catalog' after you've done that.

[dj_paige]

The size, 183gb taking up so much space. Otherwise I'd keep it going.

That's up to you if it is too much space. But I get the feeling that's not the only issue you have, which you haven't mentioned.

In addition to the comments from @JohanElzenga , I point out that the space that a new catalog and associated files take up probably isn't going to be much different. And there are things you can do that can reduce the amount of space needed by the existing catalog file and associated files.