Can you use the same Lightroom catalog across the two different platforms via a single SSD enclosure that contains all the image files? I have on older iMac that needs to be upgraded to a new MacBook or Mac Mini but my LR is scattered over multiple external HDs. Is it feasible to combine all onto a single portable drive and also use on my newer PC laptop that I’ve dedicated to programs that don’t run on MacOS? I’m using the subscription LR/PS that I believe can be simultaneously run on each platform. Could I just have to maintain duplicates of the same LR catalog?
The images can be on a network drive but not the catalog itself (.lrcat file).
https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/catalog-faq-lightroom.html#:~:text=No%2C%20you%20can't%20store,drive%20that%20has%20your%20photos. Can I store or share a catalog on a network?
No, you can't store catalogs on a network but you can store or share your photos on a network. Smart Previews let you edit your photos in Lightroom Classic even when you are disconnected from the network or when your computer is disconnected from the drive that has your photos.
^^^ Yes that is the basic method. Keep actual photos on an external drive that both computers can access. AND you have to quit LR on the first computer then copy the lrcat file over to where it exists on the 2nd computer. Obviously this process needs to be reversed if you then want to edit back on the first computer.
There is an alternate: purchase a fast SSD external drive that is compatible with both machines. Reconfigure cpu #1 so LR operates from it ie the lrcat file is also located on that drive. Reconfigure the cpu #2 to operate the same way. When you want to edit on cpu#2, quite LR on cpu#1, plug the external ssd into cpu#2. No file copying but you need to unplug and re-plug the ext-ssd.
