Sunday, March 5, 2017
Importing and Merging catalogues in Lightroom
Importing and Merging catalogues in Lightroom
Importing and Merging catalogues in Lightroom
The Menu item is:
File > Import From Another Catalogue
How you Import and Sync Images and Metadata from different catalogues will depend on your setup.
- A: Merging catalogues on your system or external drive(s)
- B: Importing from another computer, either a laptop or desktop (e.g.: when shooting in the field)
Here are the main steps to do an import from another catalogue
Step A:
Determine the location of the catalogues on the COMPUTER(s).
PC default Location c:usersmy picturesLightroom
Mac Default Location: //Users/[user name]/Pictures/Lightroom/
This just helps you find them for the next step
Step 1.
Start Lightroom loading your Master or Main Catalogue.
(Hold down the alt/option key when you startup Lightroom) Note that, Lightroom defaults to loading the last loaded catalogue
Step 2:
The Menu item is:
File > Importing From Another Catalogue.Use
Use the Macs Finder or the PCs Windows Explorer to locate the Other catalogue.
A double click on the .lrcat file will open the dialogue box below
Step 3:
Check ? the Show Preview box lower left to see the thumbnails in the Import Catalogue.
Number 1 in image above
The 3 bars and the exclamation point indicates that there is new data
Number 2 in image above
If you want, you may choose to preserve Old setting in your CURRENT catalogue, LR will make a virtual copy for you.
Number 3 in image above
Choice #1:
Add New Photos to Catalogue without moving
Use this option if you are happy with where the files are located, and you just want to tell LR where they are
Choice #2:
Copy new photos to a new location and import
Your photos are on a Laptop or another computer, or you are adding or consolidating your photos into a single catalogue
Choice #3:
Dont Import new photos, You just want the metadata
Number 4 in Image Above Replace:
Step 4 Click Import
Other Hints (Working in the field)
If you are using a second copy of LR on a Laptop and you are using LRs default location to store the photos, when you get back to your desktop you will have to do the following.
1. Using your laptop, plug-in an external drive.
2. Export your Shoot" as a Catalogue to the external Drive.
Menu:
File > Export as Catalogue To the External Drive.
3. Eject the External drive from the laptop and plug it into your desktop
4. Load your master Catalogue in LR and use the Menu:
File > Import from another Catalogue
Follow the above import steps
Available link for download