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Lightroom CC mobile to Lightroom classic workflow

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
October 4, 2019
5 replies
10659 views

Hello,

I use Lightroom Classic on my Mac to import, edit and organize photos which are stored on an external hard drive. When I travel I use an iPad pro to import photos and sometimes start editing them in Lightroom mobile. When I get back to my mac, the original Raw images are downloaded to my Mac and Lightroom classic which is awesome! However, I would like to be able to move these photos on to my external hard drive into the folder structure I use (as if I had imported them from my SD card through Lightroom Classic as per my normal workflow) and remove the orignal raw files from Adobe cloud (to free up space). I have no been able to figure out how to do this, so I currently just keep the photos on my sd card after importing with my iPad and import a second time through Lightroom Classic onto my external hard drive. This makes the initial import with the iPad through lightroom mobile somewhat redundant and a waste of time.

Is there a way to move the original raw photos which Lightroom classic has downloaded from the cloud onto my external hard drive?

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer JohanElzenga

By default the images are downloaded into 'Mobile Downloads.lrdata'. That is a special folder (package on a Mac), that will appear in the Lightroom folder panel as if it was a different drive. You can move images from this to any normal folder in the same way you would move any other image from one folder to another: by using drag & drop.

In the Lightroom preferences you can change this download location and select a normal folder. You can then also specify that Lightroom should create dated subfolders. That should make it possible to let Lightroom download the images in the same folder hierarchy as your other images.

S

stefpix

Known Participant

I am in the same boat, and I feel it could be simple for Adobe to address a mobile workflow when fast internet is not available.
just allow to export original raw files with the metadata of adjustments, ratings, captions to a folder on an external SSD.
I write this elsewhere, but it is relevant to this thread:

Please Adobe enable Lightroom for iPad pasting a caption and keywords to multiple photos at once, like in the Android version.

Please Adobe allow the export of RAW files to a folder on the iPad or SSD to include the ratings, captions, adjustment metadata via an XMP file.

Expanded below.

the workflow for Lightroom on my iPad mini could be simpler.
some issues:
- I like to copy the images from the SD card to an external SSD.
Import in Lightroom, edit, caption, rate. Export back to the SD drive the RAW files, and at home connect the SSD to my iMac. Import the photos in LR Classic. But no metadata with edits, rating captions are in the exported images.
This method would be a lot faster than relying on the cloud when in a rush. Also would be good for when I travel to areas with slow or limited internet. Workaround, but not very acceptable could be converting and exporting as DNG.

- I can not paste captions from a photo to multiple photos at once. I can do that on the Android phone version. Can this essential feature be implemented in the Apple ecosystem?
if I have 20 images from the same shoot I need to submit captioned, it is time-consuming to do copy/paste one at a time.

These are dealbreakers for a working photographer. I have LumaFusion and FinalCut Pro X, and those 2 allow editing on the iPad on an external SSD and finish on the Mac at home.

I would expect Adobe would allow its software to have a similar integration.
The lack of copy-paste of captions and keywords to multiple photos at once is puzzling, as it is allowed on the Android version. I wrote about this to Adobe 2 - 3 years ago, but the simple issue has not been addressed.

I love Lightroom Classic, but I am looking forward to some competitive alternative to Lightroom for the iPad.

kevinm91307720

Participant

Similar to you I use Macbook Ait with Lightroom CC when on my travels. I have developed the simple workfow that you can see at this link. Lightroom CC (On Location) to Lightroom Classic (Home) Workflow Diagram

It works for me and avoids duplication of files. I end up with the original RAW on my NAS and the images imported into my LR Classic catalog. Happy for viewers to add comments if you spot any flaws in the workflow

L

Laurie5E79

Participant

Kevin, I like your workflow diagram and it's helpful to see it laid out this way. I'm wondering, though, if you or anyone else in this forum have any suggestions for my situation: i.e., when travelling, I will have NO internet connection at all, or at best, only a very sketchy and temporary one that I dare not use for syncing - so I can't get my new photos to the cloud. (We travel on our boat to areas not served by wifi or cell signal, and on the few occasions we go to marinas, wifi is very slow and minimal - no uploading or streaming allowed.) I have purchased an external storage drive that has a built-in memory card (My Passport Wireless Pro, 4TB). My hope is to (1) put the original raw files on it, rather than on my iPad, (2) keep the memory cards intact as backup copies, (3) import Smart Previews into LR Mobile on the iPad to review, process etc, and (4) when I'm eventually home - a month or two later - transfer the raw files to where I want them on my PC system and sync LR mobile with LR Classic on my PC. Is this feasible? I am having trouble figuring out how to ensure that the raw originals don't get uploaded to the iPad. Thank you very much.

Jim Wilde

Community Expert

@Laurie5E79

1) and 2) are OK, but 3) is a problem as you cannot "import Smart Previews into LrMobile on the iPad".....you can only import the full resolution originals. Yes, it's possible to eventually swap out the original for a smart preview, but that's contingent on the original uploading to the cloud, after which it can be replaced by the SP on the local device. But that needs regular and reliable internet connectivity, which appears to be not possible in your situation.

In order to allow you to import a few at a time, work on them in LrMobile, then swap them out to allow a new set to be added, you really need the ability to export using "original + settings" (thus preserving the edits that you do). Sadly, that option isn't available in LrMobile, though ironically it IS available using the desktop version of Lightroom (do you take a laptop with you as well?). An alternative would be giving LrMobile users the ability to access files stored on the attached portable drives, rather than having to import them into the devices internal storage. I think both of those potential solutions are the subject of feature requests at the official Adobe feedback site, might be worth heading over there and adding your vote.

JohanElzenga

Correct answer

Community Expert

By default the images are downloaded into 'Mobile Downloads.lrdata'. That is a special folder (package on a Mac), that will appear in the Lightroom folder panel as if it was a different drive. You can move images from this to any normal folder in the same way you would move any other image from one folder to another: by using drag & drop.

In the Lightroom preferences you can change this download location and select a normal folder. You can then also specify that Lightroom should create dated subfolders. That should make it possible to let Lightroom download the images in the same folder hierarchy as your other images.

-- Johan W. Elzenga

99jon

Legend

Keep sync paused in Classic until you return home. Then choose your nominated external drive folder in Classic preferences. Hover over the identity plate top-left to re-start sync and the originals will download exactly where you want them. No need to move folders.

selondon

Community Expert

As you rightly say, the photos are downloaded from the Cloud, to the designated download folder. Once downloaded they can be deleted from the Cloud.

I don’t really use Classic, but my understanding is (or was) that, within Classic, you just move the photos to the folder where you want them.

Maybe do a test on a photo of no importance, so you’re happy with the workflow.

There is no need to reimport again.

ProDesignTools

Community Expert

The Lightroom Queen just published a helpful little ebook about the LR Mobile to Classic workflow:

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/community/threads/where-is-the-travel-workflow-ebook-download-link.44926/

"Integrating the mobile apps into your Lightroom workflow doesn't mean giving up Lightroom Classic. Lightroom Classic can remain your primary photo archive."

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