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DdeGannes
Community Expert
DdeGannesCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 19, 2017
Answered

New Lightroom CC Catalog File?

  • October 19, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 8503 views

If you are using the "new" Lightroom CC on your Desktop / Laptop computer, is a Catalog File and Previews created on your HDD like the Lightroom Classic application? Or is this stored in the Cloud.

If not does that mean if you loose connection from the internet you will not be able to utilize the application.

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer Victoria Bampton LR Queen

      It does keep a local cache so you can use it while offline.

      4 replies

      A
      Adriano Dani
      Participating Frequently
      August 13, 2024

      Hi! One of the files in my LRCC catalog on macOS ("lightroom catalog-v13 previews.lrdata") is very large, already over 25GB, and I don't have many photos, something around 1,000 to 1,500 RAW files. In creativecloud I have about 5GB occupied. It seems that this file increases in size exponentially. Does anyone know if it really works like this?

      Rikk Flohr_Photography
      Community Manager
      Rikk Flohr_PhotographyCommunity Manager
      August 13, 2024

      @Adriano Dani  You've posted in the Lightroom Ecosystem forum - Your description indicates you have Lightroom Classic. You should post in Classic. 

       

      You’ve posted to an ancient thread. Locking thread. 

      Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org
      A
      Anonymous
      November 18, 2017

      I’m trying to move my catalog to my external HD because I don’t have space on my very old MacBook air, but every time it just downloads creates a  catalog in the pictures folder again. Is there anyway to get Lightroom cc to read the catalog from my external HD?

      Jim Wilde
      Community Expert
      Jim WildeCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 18, 2017

      It's not currently possible to have the catalog in any location other than the default location on the system drive. The best you can do is move the slider (in the Preferences>Local Storage tab) all the way to the left, i.e. to 0%. That way only the catalog will be taking up space on the drive, there'll be no cached previews, although this will mean slower performance as you browse images as the original will have to be downloaded each time. Of course you could store the originals locally on a different drive, which would give you the performance back.

      A
      Anonymous
      November 18, 2017

      Thank you very much for your help!

      G
      gregsoltys
      Participant
      October 30, 2017

      Hi, just learning as much as I can (newbie but love to soak it all up).

      If LRCC keeps a copy in the cloud (which I believe you of course Victoria!), it brings two questions to mind:

      1.  What does LRCC prompt you to backup your catalogue?  Seems like this isn't required/redundant.

      2.  I wonder what happens if you delete your local cached copy (i.e.: simulate a lost/corrupt laptop)

      3.  In theory, you could make a change offline on your laptop, and online say with your iPad.  I wonder which wins when you bring your laptop online.  ideally LRCC would make another copy or indicate (like when you make a change it PSCC it increases the file count for that image).

      Good tests...someday when I have time unless someone knows! 

      Victoria Bampton LR Queen
      Community Expert
      Victoria Bampton LR QueenCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 31, 2017

      1. It doesn't even ask.

      2. Yes, I've done that multiple times. It just downloads a new copy from the cloud.

      3. Whichever was done last (although I agree some kind of conflict resolution could be useful - request it at Lightroom CC | Photoshop Family Customer Community )

      Victoria - The Lightroom Queen
      Victoria Bampton LR Queen
      Community Expert
      Victoria Bampton LR QueenCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      October 19, 2017

      It does keep a local cache so you can use it while offline.

      Victoria - The Lightroom Queen
      DdeGannes
      Community Expert
      DdeGannesCommunity ExpertAuthor
      Community Expert
      October 19, 2017

      Ok thanks so I guess the Catalog info is stored in the Cloud and does that info utilize some of the storage availability.

      Regards, Denis: iMac 27” mid-2015, macOS 11.7.10 Big Sur; 2TB SSD, 24 GB Ram, GPU 2 GB; LrC 12.5,; Lr 6.5, PS 24.7,; ACR 15.5,; (also Laptop Win 11, ver 24H2, LrC 15.0.1, PS 27.0; ) Camera Oly OM-D E-M1.
      Victoria Bampton LR Queen
      Community Expert
      Victoria Bampton LR QueenCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 19, 2017

      AFAIK, the database doesn't count towards cloud storage space.

      Victoria - The Lightroom Queen
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