Trouble with files on Mac after a clean install. All RAW edits have gone but images are there.

[stevep62113153]

Hi All

So I had an issue with My Mac mini which meant the SSD had to be errased and a new OS installed at the Apple store. Now my Mac Mini (Intel) is running Sonoma 14.5. Running LR Classic 13.3

I have it back now and all is running well. I was advised to do a clean install and it felt like a good time to have a bit of a reoganisation anyway. 

So I have restored 30,000 RAW files from my Time Machine backup, but none of the files have any edits applied. Looking at my old TM backup I can see various LR files for the correct date. 

Which (if any) will get my RAW files back the way they were?

LR Catalog 2-3v13 lrcat

LR Catalog 2-3v13 Helper.lrdata

LR Catalog 2-3v13 Previews.lrdata

There is also a folder called Backups. 

Many thanks.

[Moved to Lightroom Classic forum by moderator]

[kglad]

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.

<"moved from cc desktop">

[Jao vdL · Accepted solution]

All you need to do is open the lrcat extension file you list above in Lightroom Classic by double clicking it in finder. If the raw images are in the same relative location that they were on the old machine, it will just work and all your edits should be visible. If they were restored in a different location, just point classic to the new location using the missing folder dialog by right (or control) clicking on the missing folders in Classic.

[stevep62113153]

Thank you very much. I was pretty sure it would be something simple like that but didn't want to mess anything up. All my edits are back where they should be now. Now I have no excuss to not get out there and do some more shooting. 

May all your sunsets be golden!

[Geoff the kiwi]

Great you have a good resut.. I notice in your original post you stated you have Backups with in the Catalog Folder.. that is the default however if the drive crashed you would lose the catlog and backups. So next time you Backup the Catalog change the Destination of the back up in the back up window to a different drive. If you don't have another drive consider your strategy.

[stevep62113153]

Thanks. I have three drives. Internal (2TB). External SSD (4TB) for Time Machine back up, and an old slower HDD I keep offsite in case of fire, flood or theft.