PSE14 replace catalog with updated version from another computer

[Kesata13]

On my MacBook Pro, I have an older version of Catalog 1. On an external hard drive I have the updated version of the same catalog, named Catalog 2. Catalog 2 was also created with PSE14 on a different Mac computer. It has been updated in that I edited and deleted some photos that are still in Catalog 1, and added new photos that are only in Catalog 2.  I want PSE to recognize the the file structure, folders and albums of Catalog 2 while keeping the physical location of the images and folders on the external hard drive. Because in 7 months time I will be doing the same thing back on the other Mac computer, I want to be able to do this successfully now so I can print out the steps to repeat then.

Here are my questions:

Do I remove Catalog 1 first? Then restore from the newer version, Catalog 2? Will this allow me to keep the existing folder structure of Catalog 2? I am not sure how to "restore" from the newer version, Catalog 2, if restore only works from backup copies.

OR

Do I create a new catalog, name it Catalog 2 and direct the program to the location of the existing folders on the external hard drive? Then remove Catalog 1?

I know the last time I tried this with a smaller separate catalog, I ended up recreating the file structure by hand. Since Catalogs 1 and 2 contain 20k+ images from many years; no I really do not want to do that again.

[MichelBParis]

Kesata13  wrote

On my MacBook Pro, I have an older version of Catalog 1. On an external hard drive I have the updated version of the same catalog, named Catalog 2. Catalog 2 was also created with PSE14 on a different Mac computer. It has been updated in that I edited and deleted some photos that are still in Catalog 1, and added new photos that are only in Catalog 2.  I want PSE to recognize the the file structure, folders and albums of Catalog 2 while keeping the physical location of the images and folders on the external hard drive. Because in 7 months time I will be doing the same thing back on the other Mac computer, I want to be able to do this successfully now so I can print out the steps to repeat then.

I don't understand.

Catalogs: a catalog is a folder containing the database and its accessory files and subfolders. Does not contain any media file.

Catalogs are stored by default on your main drive, but they can be moved or copied elsewhere in 'custom' location. That can be on different drives. The location of a catalog is indicated in the menu Help >> System Info.

Library (my own definition): the folder tree(s) of your media files. The library can have master folders on different drives at the same time.

Backup folder: A folder containing everything to be able to restore BOTH the catalog and the library. It can only be used to do a restore from the catalog manager of the organizer. You can't use it yourself.

Moving a catalog:

In the following help file, Adobes means moving both the catalog and the library. That should help you.

Move Elements Organizer catalog | Elements 6 or later

So, to start with, where are your present catalogs and libraries precisely?

It's important to know that you can't merge catalogs and that what you do in a catalog is ignored in the other.

[Kesata13]

While I regret you were unable to understand my situation, I do appreciate your effort to assist. So allow me to clarify:

1-Yes, I did know that the catalog at best is a place holder that references the location of each media file referenced in the catalog. The Catalog and media files for Catalog 1 reside on the MacBook Pro. Catalog 2 and the media reside on the external hard drive.

2-Yes, I understand what a back-up catalog is, however my question was not about backup catalogs, my question was can I restore Catalog 1 from Catalog 2 without backing either up while retaining the file structure of Catalog 2.

3-"So to start with....", as I indicated, Catalog 1 resides on the Macbook Pro. Catalog 2 resides on an external hard drive. The libraries for both reside respectively on the same devices.

4-What I want to do, is REPLACE Catalog 1 with Catalog 2. Delete all media associated with Catalog 1 and replace it with the media associated with Catalog 2 while maintaining the file structure of Catalog 2 and continue to store the media for Catalog 2 on the external hard drive. So after this is complete, Catalog 2 should reside on the MacBook Pro. The media referenced by Catalog 2 will be on the external hard drive.

Because I will need to repeat this when I return to the other Macintosh computer in 7 months, it is important for me to know how to do this correctly. In 7 months, I will again replace the catalog that resides on the computer, with the catalog on the external hard drive, and also maintain the data on the external hard drive.

Again, thank you for taking the time to assist me. Hope this information clarifies for you what I trying to do as much as it explains. IMy main objective, aside from transferring Catalog 2 to  replace Catalog 1, is to not recreate the file and folder structure for Catalog 2.

[MichelBParis]

Kesata13  wrote

4-What I want to do, is REPLACE Catalog 1 with Catalog 2.

ok,

- rename your catalog1 for safety until you think you can delete it.

- find the catalog2 folder (Menu Help >> System Info) on the hard drive.

- copy and paste that WHOLE folder somewhere on the Mac from the finder.

- alternatively, use the catalog manager to MOVE the catalog to the 'location for current user'. That's on your Mac. Instead of having two similar catalog 2, you only have one now on your Mac;.

- From the catalog manager, use 'Open' and browse to that folder. The 'moved' or 'copied' catalog is and works exactly the same as the catalog on the external drive. Remember you can copy, move or rename a catalog folder were you want, it's contents (especially the links and thumbnails) are not changed. Moving the catalog does not change anything to the media structure in your libray folders.

Kesata13 

Delete all media associated with Catalog 1 and replace it with the media associated with Catalog 2 while maintaining the file structure of Catalog 2 and continue to store the media for Catalog 2 on the external hard drive. So after this is complete, Catalog 2 should reside on the MacBook Pro. The media referenced by Catalog 2 will be on the external hard drive.

If you mean delete the media from the catalog and replace with the media associated with Catalog 2, that's already done, and nothing has been changed in the media file structure.

(If you mean delete files from the drive, please specify which ones. You want to keep all files referenced in the two catalogs 2; do you mean deleting non catalogued media files on the external drive? On your Mac?)

Because I will need to repeat this when I return to the other Macintosh computer in 7 months, it is important for me to know how to do this correctly. In 7 months, I will again replace the catalog that resides on the computer, with the catalog on the external hard drive, and also maintain the data on the external hard drive.

The best advice I can give is to keep the catalog 2 on the external drive.

You install Elements in the future computer.

You plug in your external drive... and the catalog 2 is available and up to date. That's the way many users share a catalog and library.

With the catalog and library in the external drive, you don't need to do the backup/restore transfer method:

Move Elements Organizer catalog | Elements 6 or later

... but having a backup is recommended anyway to prevent a problem with your external drive.

It's also fast and easy to make a copy of your catalog folder on your Mac as another safety step.

[Kesata13]

MichaelBParis,

THANK YOU! I think I was blinded by the importance of not losing any media and also NOT having to re-establish the folder system again. A few tidying things to do, but all in all I have my catalog the way I wanted it to turn out AND the written directions for repeating the process again in 7 months.

You were spot on with your directions, they were easy to follow and in the middle of doing so, the epiphany of, "Oh, good grief, this was easier and less fraught with impending doom..." than I had anticipated. Appreciate the hand holding.

Cheers!

[MichelBParis]

You are welcome !