Moving presets from one computer to another and keeping the folder format

Report · Sep 12, 2018

I have Lightroom Classic CC installed in two computers, both Macs - a Macbook and an iMac. Both have the most recent version installed. On the Macbook, when I add new presets I go to Users --> Pictures --> Lightroom --> Develop Presets, where I have all my presets organized by folders by maker/collection. I took this same folder, Airdropped it to my iMac, and attempted to install it in the same location, but the presets aren't showing up in Lightroom.

So then I went to the Develop module and attempted to import the presets. Sure, they import, but when they do, all my file organization is gone. I have no desire to sort through 800+ presets every time I want to use something specific. I want my presets organized in folders, as they are on my Macbook.

I uninstalled and reinstalled Lightroom to no avail.

I tried to do this with "Store presets with this catalog" both checked and unchecked.

I used third party software to change the lrtemplate files to xmp and then I tried placing the folders directly into the Camera Raw settings folder.

I went to File --> Import Develop Profiles and Presets but that will, again, only allow individual files and not folders.

I am tearing my hair out here. Any suggestions?

Report · Sep 13, 2018

Since the preset files are just simply on the hard drive, you can use Finder to simply copy the folder tree from computer to computer while LR is not running, then just restart LR.

Report · Sep 13, 2018

mollywidstrom wrote
I have Lightroom Classic CC installed in two computers, both Macs - a Macbook and an iMac. Both have the most recent version installed. On the Macbook, when I add new presets I go to Users --> Pictures --> Lightroom --> Develop Presets, where I have all my presets organized by folders by maker/collection. I took this same folder, Airdropped it to my iMac, and attempted to install it in the same location, but the presets aren't showing up in Lightroom.
So then I went to the Develop module and attempted to import the presets. Sure, they import, but when they do, all my file organization is gone. I have no desire to sort through 800+ presets every time I want to use something specific. I want my presets organized in folders, as they are on my Macbook.
I uninstalled and reinstalled Lightroom to no avail.
I tried to do this with "Store presets with this catalog" both checked and unchecked.
I used third party software to change the lrtemplate files to xmp and then I tried placing the folders directly into the Camera Raw settings folder.
I went to File --> Import Develop Profiles and Presets but that will, again, only allow individual files and not folders.
I am tearing my hair out here. Any suggestions?

First of all, the location you mention is wrong. That is not the location for presets and it never was, so it's obvious that they won't show in Lightroom if you copy them to that location on the other computer. I assume this is just a storage folder you created yourself, containing copies. Or you used 'Store Presets with this Catalog', but then the location would be slightly different as well (Users --> Pictures --> Lightroom --> Lightroom Settings --> Develop Presets). In any case you can't use that anymore with the new xmp presets. Here's an overview of all the locations: https://www.lightroomqueen.com/lightroom-classic-file-locations/

The new presets cannot be organised in folders in the Finder. You can put them in different subfolders, but those folders have no relevance in Lightroom. You have to organise your presets in Lightroom by using the 'Manage Presets' function. There is a plugin that can help, but I never tried it: Fix Presets Lightroom Plugin

-- Johan W. Elzenga