Lightroom - Multiple PCs

[paulrockliffe]

I have Lightroom and a Catalog setup on my computer, which I moved to my Workshop some years ago. I now have a new PC in the house and Lightroom on that and I want to be able to use my Catalog on both computers.

Is this possible?

If not, I'll move the catalog over to the new PC, but I also want to move the photos to my server. Is that possible?

If not, what's the best way to backup the photos to the server - form within Lightroom or using something else?

Also, is there a way to syncronise online services to Lightroom, eg I want the photos I take on my phone to end up in Lightroom without having to sync my phone with a cable every so often.

Not used LR in ages, as you can probably tell.

Thanks!

[silobass]

Can you not move the catalog and files to the server and then access the files from either PC?

[paulrockliffe]

silobass said:

Can you not move the catalog and files to the server and then access the files from either PC?

That's my question.

I did a quick Google that suggested that the way the database works isn't really compatible with running over a network, but the articles are of various dates and it appears to be something many people want fixing, so I was after experience from people that use it if possible.

[akirk]

catalogue doesn't run well on the network...

however, if you choose the option to save the edits in sidecar files (.xmp) then they will sit alongside the image and there is nothing to stop you running two catalogues one on each machine, and each will be able to see the edits from the other... if you keep the edits embedded int he catalogue you can't get it to work...

[paulrockliffe]

That sounds interesting. Is that something I can do with an existing catalogue that isn't setup that way, or do I setup both new catalogues and import the old one in?

[akirk]

paulrockliffe said:

That sounds interesting. Is that something I can do with an existing catalogue that isn't setup that way, or do I setup both new catalogues and import the old one in?

can't remember off-hand - but it is a setting in the catalogue - so I would just go into those settings and change it and then see what happens - it might be that it only builds side cars when you next 'edit' a file - so you might need to find a simple non-changing edit to do (star or colour rating perhaps)

I don't think that importing a catalogue where you don't use sidecar files will help as the settings would not be with the file - so the first step has to be to break out all the edits into the sidecar files - they then become linked / associated with the file and are independent of Lightroom - you can:
- copy the .xmp with the file and give it to someone else - they will see your edits
- open it on another computer into photoshop - it will see the edits
- copy the file and rename it to match another photo and that photo will pick up the edits originally applied to the first photo