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gegjr
gegjr
Inspiring
September 18, 2019
Answered

Using Lightroom Classic on a desktop and laptop

  • September 18, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 2822 views

Ok, with the old standalone desktop Lightroom I used an external HD to keep both my original files and my LR catalog (LRCAT) and my presets. With the new Lightroom Classic I still keep my catalog, presets and originals on an external HD. Is that still the best way to use Lightroom and keep the catalog and presets intact and in sync?

 

Thanks in advance for responses.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer gegjr
    I am aware of this but thanks.

    3 replies

    Ian Lyons
    Community Expert
    Ian LyonsCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 18, 2019

    As Randy has repleid, the setup you're using is valid when the catalog and images are on an external drive used on multiple computers. If this isn't the case, then best you configure Classic to store the preset etc in their default location.

     

    The first screenshot is how the preset location preference should be set for the arrnagement you describe, and the second screesnhot shows how the prefernce should be set so that the presets are stored in Lightroom's default location.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    gegjr
    gegjrAuthorCorrect answer
    Inspiring
    September 19, 2019
    I am aware of this but thanks.
    "In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."~Martin Luther King, Jr.
    Randy Hufford
    Community Expert
    Randy HuffordCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 18, 2019

    If you want to use same Lightroom catalog on botha a desktop and a laptop this is your choice.

     

    GoldingD
    GoldingD
    Legend
    September 18, 2019

    This inquiry actual opens to some extent a can of worms. Answer brings up questions on available hard drives and owners workflow.

     

    Moving on, and expecting blow back. Lot of this is opinionated.

     

    Best practice in terms of speed is to place the LRC catalog, the Camera RAW CACHE, the Library Previews, and Smart Previews, on your fastest hard drive(s) that is not your boot drive. Internal SSD prefered. The catalog and the Library previews must be on the same hard drive in the same parent folder. The Camera RAW CACHE can be on another drive. It is recommended that the Camera RAW CACHE is not placed on the same hard drive as your OS paging file (Windows)

     

    The photos can be on any drive with enough space.

     

    The actual program, the various develop presets, various profile presets, various metadata presets stay on the boot drive where LRC places them.

     

    External drives work when you need to use them for available space considerations

     

    Incidentally, on whatever drive you place the catalog, make sure that the drive has at least 20% available space on top of that.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    C
    chrvi
    Participating Frequently
    September 19, 2019
    Hi David, interesting... And what do you think would be a good solution for systems with one SSD system drive and one additional HDD? LR itself on SSD while everything else (catalog, previews and camera raw cache) on the second drive? Thanks.
    GoldingD
    GoldingD
    Legend
    September 19, 2019

    You just have to work with what you have available. Clearly laptops are limiting, whereas users with workstations can add internal hard drives almost on whim (eventually you run out of real estate) laptop owners cannot, and typically look towards fast external drives. If your lucky you have USB C ot some form of Thunderbolt, etc.

     

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