ho_co Posted July 15, 2017 Share #1 Posted July 15, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have all my Lightroom images and catalog on a single external disk, but that disk is getting full. Scott Kelby et al. suggest keeping a single LR catalog and letting images go to multiple disks. So: 1) I could just get a larger external disk and keep images and catalog there. Or: 2) I could make room on the iMac's built-in HD--which is also nearly full--for the LR catalog, then get an additional external disk for the images. Is one of those solutions better? Is there another, better way? If I move the catalog to the built-in hard disk, how do I tell Lightroom where to find the images? The LR file system is unclear to me. Thanks for any suggestions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 15, 2017 Posted July 15, 2017 Hi ho_co, Take a look here Need help expanding Lightroom beyond single hard drive. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted July 15, 2017 Share #2 Posted July 15, 2017 Some options and tips here (be sure to read the comments as well)... https://www.lightroomqueen.com/articles-page/move-photos-another-hard-drive-leaving-catalog/ I keep my catalog on one of my internal drives and back it up to another internal drive as well as to 2 external disks, one of which is kept offsite. I dedicate two other internal disks to my system and my photo library, both of which are also backed up externally. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodies Posted July 15, 2017 Share #3 Posted July 15, 2017 I'll try to explain the mystery of the Lightroom file system: There isn't a Lightroom file system. It uses the operating system's filestore to store pictures. You tell it where to put the pictures when you import them. Look at the destination section in the import panel; the top levels are your internal and external disc drives. The only tricky thing to remember is that LR always needs to know where the pictures are (duh!) so if you move them outside LR you must show LR where they are. Because of this it is simpler to move them inside LR - in the Folders section of the Library module you can see the places your pictures are stored; use the + button to add new folders and drag and drop pictures or folders of pictures to move them. NB. drag them from this Folders section, not from a Finder window. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Albertson Posted July 16, 2017 Share #4 Posted July 16, 2017 I have a similar set-up to Jeff. I have the LR app on the main HD (C:), and keep the current catalog and photos on the D: HD. Usually at the end of the year, I export the current catalog to the E: drive for storage. Back up all three. It's best (as Exodies recommends) to move them in the LR folders window. If you move the files to another location using Finder or Windows Explorer, the next time you fire up LR it will show a question mark in Folders where they were located. Right-click on that and you'll get asked if you want LR to locate the files. Click "yes" and it will fire up Finder or Windows Explorer, and you use that to navigate to the new location. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 16, 2017 Share #5 Posted July 16, 2017 Howard, why not move your catalogue to your C drive and back it up at regular intervals to a different drive. The images can be on any or all drives so long as you manage their location from within LR. Then back up your data as per your regular routine. If you need more data storage space, just add it to your computer add also add it to your LR catalogue. Simple. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted July 19, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted July 19, 2017 Thanks, everyone, for your input. David, I think your solution is the one I'll follow--but there are so many anomalies on that disk that I'm confused what to transfer to my built-in hard disk. (See https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/274628-anybody-know-a-lightroom-guru/ for an example.) Specifically, my LR disk has a plethora of files--small sample below. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/274454-need-help-expanding-lightroom-beyond-single-hard-drive/?do=findComment&comment=3319303'>More sharing options...
wda Posted July 20, 2017 Share #7 Posted July 20, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Howard, in LR click Edit>Preferences>General and look at Default Catalog which gives you a choice of catalogues to load on start up.Next, click the end arrow and identify the most recent catalogue listed, with its folder string. Click it. CLOSE LR. You will then go into Windows Explorer as a result of the previous 'click' where you can move the catalogue to a destination of your choice on your main drive.I strongly recommend a book such as ADOBE PHOTOSHOP LIGHTROOM CC/6 - THE MISSING FAQ by Victoria Brampton, a rather weighty book but well worth the cost. Page 486 details the various stages for moving catalogues or photos.I hope this helps you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted July 20, 2017 Author Share #8 Posted July 20, 2017 Thanks, David. I'm afraid I've let my LR database get pretty messed up with time. Your pointers are well appreciated! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 20, 2017 Share #9 Posted July 20, 2017 Howard, Victoria Brampton's book is a good standby bible of reference plus useful for dipping into for ideas and solutions. You might also view this webinar by Laura Shoe on a topic very relevant to you. http://laurashoe.com/clean-up-your-lightroom-mess/?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Lightroom+Spring+Cleaning+Webinar+Recording+Now+Available%21+-+from+Laura+Shoe&utm_campaign=20170505_m139082080_webinar+recording+available&utm_term=on+this+page+on+my+website Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted July 21, 2017 Author Share #10 Posted July 21, 2017 David, with your input and that of others, I'm beginning to think I may not have as big a problem as I thought. Thanks for the link! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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