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DavePinMinn
Inspiring
August 18, 2019
Question

Running multiple instances on the same PC

  • August 18, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 3022 views

Windows 10 Pro 64-bit PC

I saw other topics on this, but it sounded like they all wanted to be in the SAME catalog...

I'd like to run two instances but have DIFFERENT catalogs open......  Right this moment I have the "short-term" (where the culling gets done so I don't end up with a huge number of garbage images in the "second copy" location) catalog building previews.  It's going to take a LONG while.  While that's happening I'd like to be in the FER-REAL "images" catalog doing other stuff rather than be at a dead stop for an hour or more while Lightroom is building 1:1 previews on new images.

Is there a simple way to do this?

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    2 replies

    cmgap
    cmgap
    Community Expert
    August 19, 2019

    Do you have to build 1:1 previews upon import? Why not reduce import time and use Standard? Once you've culled and identified images you want to promote for editing you can build a smart preview? You'll also reduce the size of the previews database.

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    DavePinMinnAuthor
    Inspiring
    August 20, 2019

    The cameras will be any (or all) of a Nikon D500, D7200 and/or D850.  Typically, situations where I end up with a lot of images it'll be the D500 and/or the D850.  Presuming they have the full-size previews in the raw file, is that what Lightroom is using for the embedded previews? 

    As for previews, that's essentially what I currently do...  On import into the short-term catalog I build standard previews.  Throw out the stuff that's truly wretched - figure half the images are so bad it's clear they're garbage.  But if I've been out shooting birds or butterflies or an Air Show or something else that generates a lot of images, that will still leave me 4 - 500 images (or on occasion a couple thousand) for which I want 1:1 previews.

    Which is a very slow process.  And I can't do anything else in Lightroom which they're getting created.

    Since my fer-real image catalog is separate from where all that's going on, it would be really convenient if I could have an instance of Lightroom open that catalog so I could do stuff.  But, it sounds like Lightroom won't allow such a thing, even in a separate catalog.

    It's generally not a big deal, just something that would make my workflow more productive.

    Todd Shaner
    Todd Shaner
    Brainiac
    August 20, 2019

    DavePinMinn  wrote

    The cameras will be any (or all) of a Nikon D500, D7200 and/or D850.  Typically, situations where I end up with a lot of images it'll be the D500 and/or the D850.  Presuming they have the full-size previews in the raw file, is that what Lightroom is using for the embedded previews?

    Yes. All of those Nikon DSLR models you mention have full-size JPEG previews embedded in the NEF raw file. Using the below Import module 'Build Previews' setting allows you to view the NEF at 1:1 Zoom view in the Library module without having to build 1:1 Previews. Keep in mind if you switch to the Develop module and apply any edits BEFORE the culling process is completed LR will automatically build 1:1 previews when switching back to the Library module. This will slow down your culling process–DON'T DO THAT! Remain in the Library module until you have reviewed and culled your image files for editing.

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    dj_paige
    Brainiac
    August 18, 2019

    You can have only one catalog open with Lightroom. You could install Lightroom twice for two different users, but I believe the license does not allow both of them to be open at the same time.

    So... no dice. However:

    Lightroom has a feature that allows fast culling without having to wait to build 1:1 previews. From what I have read (I don't really have the need to do it myself), it comes close to what Photomechanic provides. Why don't you try it? https://www.focusphotoschool.com/adobe-photoshop-lightroom-classic/module-2-importing-getting-photos-photoshop-lightroom…

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    DavePinMinnAuthor
    Inspiring
    August 19, 2019

    I've used the embedded previews.  They're probably fine if you're not looking critically, but they're worthless for examining images at 1:1 for making final decisions about critical focus.  At the moment, the only way I've found to check critical focus on a dragonfly's eye shot from 10 feet with a 600mm lens is a fer-real 1:1 preview in Develop mode...

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    dj_paige
    Brainiac
    August 19, 2019

    At the moment, the only way I've found to check critical focus on a dragonfly's eye shot from 10 feet with a 600mm lens is a fer-real 1:1 preview in Develop mode...

    If you need that level of detail then the Develop module is the only way I know of. Too bad you didn't state this need in the first message of this thread, we could have saved some time.

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