Converting from Desktop version (CD) to Lightroom Classic

[Larry5C0E]

I am currently still using the CD version (6.1) of Lightroom and considering converting to Lightroom Classic.  Curious as to what is involved with converting existing files to this version.  Catalog is on internal drive of Macbook Pro with photos on external hard drive.  Also does it require internet access to access the program or does it allow for off line operation.  Any other pros and cons?  Thanks.

[dj_paige]

What is involved? Not much.

1. you purchase a subscription (assuming you have the required operating system, which you didn't state)
2. you download and install the software
3. you launch the software and it should automatically convert your Lightroom 6 catalog (well, it's not 100% auytomatic, you have to click on "Yes" or "OK" or whatever the button says)

You have to use the Internet to purchase the subscription and download the software, and you must be connected to the Internet once every 30 days or so for LrC to verify the subscription is paid up. But other than that, no internet access is required.

No "cons" that I know of. The "pros" are that there are tons of useful new features in LrC compared to Lr 6.1.

[GoldingD]

One big issue to be aware of

Adobe Marketing

Those people (being nice) decided to market separate Lightroom programs/apps for mobile vs computer.

So the scaled down product for mobile is called Lightroom (Lr),  it stores albums, not catalogs, on the cloud, it stores photos on the cloud. Sometimes Adobe unofficially refers to this product as Lightroom Desktop, just to further confuse things (it runs on your computer, stores everything to cloud). Some if us refer to it as Lr Cloudy.

The proper program, the program you are used to, is now called Lightroom Classic (LrC). Catalog on a hard drive on your computer, photos pretty much anywhere but typically on a hard drive.

Now as to subscriptions, Adobe calls  these Plans. Their is a plan for just Lightroom (the program I do not recommend) Their is not a plan for just Lightroom Classic, that trips customers up, and they get the wrong plan. Lightroom Classic is available a part of one of the Photography Plans (one at 20Gb cloud storage, other at 1Tb)

Oh, other, bigger plans exist with more programs/apps

The Photography plan includes PS, Lr, LrC, Bridge, and some misc.

You can select to pay monthly or yearly, either way you are accepting a contract for a year. A small (very small) discount may exist if paying yearly.

I think, monthly subscribers need to be connected about once a month for verification of subscription status, yearly every 90 days. Check the fine print.

[GoldingD]

I see you are using an Apple product. Some Apple customers by habit only acquire software via the Apple store. Not the way to go for an Adobe Plan, Get it via Adobe.

More prevalant with Lr users as opposed to LrC users.