}{B Posted February 24, 2016 Share #1  Posted February 24, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) In the spring I intend to update my PC which will involve reinstalling Windows and also LIghtroom.  I'm currently using Lightroom 4 and I wanted to take the opportunity of upgrading to version 6. I could purchase the upgrade download but I prefer a hard copy on disc which means buying a new complete version rather than the upgrade.  I backup my Lightroom files to an external drive and so I will have the final Lightroom 4 catalogue available to use with the new install.  Will it be a simple matter of copying the version 4 catalogue into the new installation of Lightroom 6 or am I overlooking something important? I haven't yet purchased a new version so now is the time to find out.  Any advice much appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 24, 2016 Posted February 24, 2016 Hi }{B, Take a look here Lightroom 4 to Lightroom 6. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Luke_Miller Posted February 24, 2016 Share #2  Posted February 24, 2016 The upgrade process would retain your preferences and automatically update the old version catalog to the new version.  With a new installation I believe a new (and empty) catalog will be created.  You can then direct Lightroom to open the old version 4 catalog (as long as it is on a local drive) and it will update. The catalog update process will retain the old version untouched while creating a new copy that is compatible with version 6. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
}{B Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share #3  Posted February 24, 2016 Thanks for the reply. As a new install of v6 would create an empty catalogue folder my first thought was that I could replace this with the one from v4.  If this works I'm assuming that I will be asked if I wish to change the individual photos to v6 either in bulk or individually the first time I worked on them. Any new ones would use v6 automatically.  As it seems impossible to buy the upgrade in disc form having to buy the complete version seems the only option and it doesn't cost that much more than I have paid in the past for an upgrade. It may be that v6 is the last that will be offered in this format as Adobe seem to want to push the 'Cloud' version which is obviously far more profitable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted February 24, 2016 Share #4 Â Posted February 24, 2016 Upgrading to v6 should not make any changes to your photos - the only changes that could occur are if you are still using an older Adobe camera calibration process (i.e. pre 2012). But I believe this is independent of the LR version, so you're probably already using Adobe 2012. Â You don't have to move your photos, or even the current LR catalogue - after the upgrade open the catalogue that you want to use, then tell LR that you want that as your default catalogue (this is set in Preferences). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
}{B Posted February 24, 2016 Author Share #5 Â Posted February 24, 2016 Upgrading to v6 should not make any changes to your photos - the only changes that could occur are if you are still using an older Adobe camera calibration process (i.e. pre 2012). But I believe this is independent of the LR version, so you're probably already using Adobe 2012. Â You don't have to move your photos, or even the current LR catalogue - after the upgrade open the catalogue that you want to use, then tell LR that you want that as your default catalogue (this is set in Preferences). Â Thanks I think that is the solution. I've just opened Lightroom and gone into preferences and once I had fired up my external drive, where the latest backup is, Lightroom gave me the choice of starting with this catalogue. Now I can buy version 6! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 24, 2016 Share #6 Â Posted February 24, 2016 Keep in mind that the standalone LR6 upgrade (Adobe calls it permanent) is far cheaper than purchasing a new copy, and can apply to any previous version. Â Adobe does its best to make it hard to find this inexpensive alternative as another way to coax folks into moving to CC. Â Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted February 25, 2016 Share #7  Posted February 25, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Keep in mind that the standalone LR6 upgrade (Adobe calls it permanent) is far cheaper than purchasing a new copy, and can apply to any previous version.  Adobe does its best to make it hard to find this inexpensive alternative as another way to coax folks into moving to CC.  Jeff  ...meant to say 'perpetual'.  Note that to further frustrate perpetual users, Adobe doesn't include new 'features' as interim LR 6 versions appear, only new camera support.  One needs to wait for the next major upgrade, LR7, assuming there even is one apart from CC.  Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodies Posted February 25, 2016 Share #8 Â Posted February 25, 2016 Or go to CC. It's not cloud based, it's not a software service. You will pay more than you did hanging on to version 4 long after it had been replaced, but you will pay less than if you kept Lightroom and Photoshop up to date. The mobile features are useful when you are away from home but they require decent internet bandwidth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
}{B Posted February 25, 2016 Author Share #9  Posted February 25, 2016 Thanks for the information. I may not upgrade Lightroom any further than v6 as even v4 does all I need in which case I prefer a 'future proof' hard copy rather than a download. All my digital cameras are supported by the current version of Lightroom and even if Leica brings out a new M at Photokina this year no doubt that will be supported in v6. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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