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jays85562904
jays85562904
Known Participant
May 19, 2018
Answered

New User - Upgrading from Aperture - willing to forgo all aperture meta data

  • May 19, 2018
  • 1 reply
  • 599 views

I have not used Lightroom before - I am using the Adobe Lightroom CC desktop CC 1.3_latest version. MAC OS - latest non beta version 10.13.4

Assuming I have never used this product, have the images stored on an external HD - where do I begin?  These are my constraints and thoughts:

1) I have to upgrade to Lightroom from Aperture

2) I have a large number of RAW images > 10,000

3) The Aperture library file could not handle all of my images - requiring me to create multiple library files by year for multiple years.

4) I would prefer to have 1 Catalog file for all images.

  4.1) Can Lightroom handle 10,000 - 50,000 or more images in a single catalog file - what are its limits?

5) I would assume the catalog file will be quite large - should I store it externally or locally on the computer?  Knowing remote storage  of this file will limit remote access.  What can I expect in terms of file size and probability of corruption with increased size of catalog file.

6) When traveling I will need to import images into a local catalog and store the images locally. Upon returning to my office I will need to:

  a) move the RAW original images to the RAID - how is this done?

  b) merge the temporary Catalog file with the master catalog file - how is this done?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Akash Sharma

Thanks for the update Jay,

You'll need to use the desktop based Lightroom Classic CC app to migrate the Aperture library. There are two version Lightroom CC(the cloud based app) and Lightroom Classic CC(the desktop based app.)

As mentioned, Lightroom should be able to handle the any number of images within a single catalog.

When traveling I will need to import images into a local catalog and store the images locally. Upon returning to my office I will need to

  a) move the RAW original images to the RAID - how is this done    

  b) merge the temporary Catalog file with the master catalog file - how is this done?                                                 

Let me try to explain it again. There is only one way you can keep your images and the catalog locally which is by keeping them on an external drive.

Storing the images on a RAID drive is possible but not as easier to manage as compared to the storage on external drive for 10k or more images.However, in future as your catalog grows in size, you'd be more inclined towards considering the RAID structure to keep your data mirrored and have incremental backups which is essential in a mission-critical environment to ensure continuity of data access.

This article explains the old and safe way of keeping your files on RAID drives: Backup Strategies > How To Back Up And Keep Your Lightroom Images Safe

Make sure to keep incremental backups of both your catalog and images on multiple drives even when storing data on an external drive.

If you need any specific details on your queries, please let us know what exactly do you need the details for and in which context?

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Akash

1 reply

Akash Sharma
Akash Sharma
Legend
May 21, 2018

Hi jays85562904,

Thanks for providing all the details.

You need to first install Lightroom Classic CC and then migrate to the your images from Aperture.

Please take a look at these articles:-How to transfer photos from iPhoto or Aperture to Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC (Mac OS) and Moving from Aperture to Lightroom – Lightroom Solutions ​

Now answering your queries:-

1) I have to upgrade to Lightroom from Aperture

2) I have a large number of RAW images > 10,000

3) The Aperture library file could not handle all of my images - requiring me to create multiple library files by year for multiple years.

4) I would prefer to have 1 Catalog file for all images.

Lightroom will migrate your Aperture settings to a single catalog and there is essentially no limit for the number of images you can keep in a single catalog.

However, If your catalog grows large and you notice Lightroom slowing, see Optimize performance for a whole toolbox of suggestions on how to speed it up.

I would assume the catalog file will be quite large - should I store it externally or locally on the computer?  Knowing remote storage  of this file will limit remote access.  What can I expect in terms of file size and probability of corruption with increased size of catalog file.

6) When traveling I will need to import images into a local catalog and store the images locally. Upon returning to my office I will need to:

  a) move the RAW original images to the RAID - how is this done?

  b) merge the temporary Catalog file with the master catalog file - how is this done?

The catalog should be stored only on a physical drive (internal or external) and images can be kept on the external drive(highly recommended) or RAID drives.

Merge catalog to the master catalog: Please refer this article Merging Individual Lightroom Catalogs into a “Master” Catalog « Julieanne Kost's Blog

Let us know if that helps.

Thanks,

Akash

jays85562904
jays85562904Author
Known Participant
May 21, 2018

I know I need to do that but I need the individual questions answered so I can do that 1 time and do it correctly.  There are many factors regarding the decision as articulated below and now include do I use the native desktop version or the creative cloud version (which has a desktop version but not robust.

Kind regards,

Jay

<Personal info removed>

Akash Sharma
Akash SharmaCorrect answer
Legend
May 21, 2018

Thanks for the update Jay,

You'll need to use the desktop based Lightroom Classic CC app to migrate the Aperture library. There are two version Lightroom CC(the cloud based app) and Lightroom Classic CC(the desktop based app.)

As mentioned, Lightroom should be able to handle the any number of images within a single catalog.

When traveling I will need to import images into a local catalog and store the images locally. Upon returning to my office I will need to

  a) move the RAW original images to the RAID - how is this done    

  b) merge the temporary Catalog file with the master catalog file - how is this done?                                                 

Let me try to explain it again. There is only one way you can keep your images and the catalog locally which is by keeping them on an external drive.

Storing the images on a RAID drive is possible but not as easier to manage as compared to the storage on external drive for 10k or more images.However, in future as your catalog grows in size, you'd be more inclined towards considering the RAID structure to keep your data mirrored and have incremental backups which is essential in a mission-critical environment to ensure continuity of data access.

This article explains the old and safe way of keeping your files on RAID drives: Backup Strategies > How To Back Up And Keep Your Lightroom Images Safe

Make sure to keep incremental backups of both your catalog and images on multiple drives even when storing data on an external drive.

If you need any specific details on your queries, please let us know what exactly do you need the details for and in which context?

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Akash

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