Transferring LR library to new macbook

khurram1
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Transferring LR library to new macbook

I just got a new MacBook Pro and will be transferring my files from the old MacBook to my new M2 MacBook Pro.
I just have a question whether there is anything I need to be aware of, or do differently with the files my Lightroom library folders. From what I understand if you need to move files around in LR the moves must be done in LR, otherwise what ever edits are made to raw files will be gone.

Is there anything I n can d to do differently for my LR files, when I transfer my data from my one MacBook to another

Jul 25, 2023 at 07:22 AM

mike650
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Transferring LR library to new macbook

My understanding is if you copy over the Catalog file and raw files and keep the same folder/directory structure between your old and new computers, then LR should find all the photos again when it reads in the copied Catalog file. You should also copy over any LR preferences and presets files.

Even if you place your raw files into a different folder on the new computer, you won't loose the previous edits. When you go to Develop the image, it will say it can't find the raw file. You just need to tell LR where to search for the raw files and all is good after.

The catalog file contains the raw file location, all the editing steps/instructions done to the image, and a medium resolution image representing the last edit done in Develop mode.

Jul 25, 2023 at 01:41 PM

amv8
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Transferring LR library to new macbook

Can't you use the Mac transfer utility to move everything to your new Macbook Pro? That should keep files in the same relative locations.

Jul 25, 2023 at 03:52 PM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Transferring LR library to new macbook

mike650 wrote:
My understanding is if you copy over the Catalog file and raw files and keep the same folder/directory structure between your old and new computers, then LR should find all the photos again when it reads in the copied Catalog file. You should also copy over any LR preferences and presets files.

Even if you place your raw files into a different folder on the new computer, you won't loose the previous edits. When you go to Develop the image, it will say it can't find the raw file. You just need to tell LR where to search for the raw...Show more →

All of this.

I recently migrated LR from a Windows PC to a Mac Studio and in the process I took the opportunity to migrate my LR catalogue and all my files to a 4TB external drive. This way I can plug it into any machine and have my entire catalogue and edit history available. Highly recommend!

Jul 25, 2023 at 03:56 PM

khurram1
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Transferring LR library to new macbook

Thanks! I remember the last time I upgraded my MacBook, it changed the name of my he computer by adding a 1. I wasn’t sure if that make was part of the file path or not.

mike650 wrote:
My understanding is if you copy over the Catalog file and raw files and keep the same folder/directory structure between your old and new computers, then LR should find all the photos again when it reads in the copied Catalog file. You should also copy over any LR preferences and presets files.

Even if you place your raw files into a different folder on the new computer, you won't loose the previous edits. When you go to Develop the image, it will say it can't find the raw file. You just need to tell LR where to search for the raw...Show more →

Jul 25, 2023 at 04:07 PM

khurram1
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Transferring LR library to new macbook

I did do that last time back when I was still using DPP as my raw converter. It did change my computer name by adding a number in front of the name. I was planning on using the migrator again using my Time Machine, but wasn’t sure if the computer name is part of the mapping of the LR directory, but it sounds like it isn’t an issue.

amv8 wrote:
Can't you use the Mac transfer utility to move everything to your new Macbook Pro? That should keep files in the same relative locations.

Jul 25, 2023 at 04:11 PM

khurram1
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Transferring LR library to new macbook

I’m going from a 2TB drive to an 8tb drive. I have around 2.5TB saved on an external drive and move them back to their original location when I want to work on them. Hopefully, that won’t be an issue anymore for the next few years.

RoamingScott wrote:
All of this.

I recently migrated LR from a Windows PC to a Mac Studio and in the process I took the opportunity to migrate my LR catalogue and all my files to a 4TB external drive. This way I can plug it into any machine and have my entire catalogue and edit history available. Highly recommend!

Jul 25, 2023 at 04:14 PM

Zenon Char
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Transferring LR library to new macbook

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/how-move-lightroom-to-new-computer/

Jul 25, 2023 at 10:19 PM


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