Auto Close Lightroom

[Gnits]

Is there a means to configure Lightroom such that it shuts down after a configurable period of inactivity, say 15 mins, 30 mins, etc.

My objective is to automate shutting down my Windows 11 Pc when not in use.. I can write a script which can detect if Lightroom is not running ( or has not been running for say 15 mins) and then execute a shutdown sequence... but need a safe way for Lightroom to close if inactive.

I do not wish to use the Windows options to sleep or hibernate etc for several reasons. a) These modes still draw a lot of power b) I wish to have full cold reboot start up when I power up Windows again c ) my priority is that Lightroom closes gracefully at all times.

 

[clee01l]

Is there a means to configure Lightroom such that it shuts down after a configurable period of inactivity, say 15 mins, 30 mins, etc.

My objective is to automate shutting down my Windows 11 Pc when not in use.. I can write a script which can detect if Lightroom is not running ( or has not been running for say 15 mins) and then execute a shutdown sequence... but need a safe way for Lightroom to close if inactive.

I do not wish to use the Windows options to sleep or hibernate etc for several reasons. a) These modes still draw a lot of power b) I wish to have full cold reboot start up when I power up Windows again c ) my priority is that Lightroom closes gracefully at all times.

I think you are going to need to script the actions to include accounting for the Backup process choice.

What are you using to script? I once used an excellent script to do tasks such as you describe. It was similar to the Mac Automate tool and a GUI interface as well. Too many years have passed to recall the name


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Gnits]

For this type of situation, I can write VB.Net Visual Studio Basic.... not my preferred dev environment.. One advantage is I can google win scripts for specific tasks and most (now Ai based) suggestions can be incorporated with equivalent commands in VB.

Also, my custom Win Dashboard ( which I am getting more fond of every day.. as its features creep organically to meet my routines) is in VB. A big advantage is the ability to have fully functional Windows forms, tabs and all modern GUI tools.

One approach is I can determine Windows Idle Time ( time since last mouse or keyboard event).. and script to shutdown automatically 15 mins later.. or if LrC loaded.. say 30 or 60 mins later. My objective is to avoid my Pc running for extended periods when not needed (eg overnight). But I am missing the hook which tells me LrC can safely be shutdown.

I am not using LrC for high volume imports.. and am comfortable letting LrC complete preview building as I am using LrC.. as it is not a burden time wise. Also, I am only doing occasional exports .. which are also instantaneous. The concern is internal background LrC processes.. which may be kicked off by lack of keyboard or mouse activity.


A later thought.. is to have a LrC Plugin which can schedule a LrC shutdown after a certain period of inactivity.

I found a few Google references / discussions to using LrC plugin for a controlled shutdown.. but nothing which lead to a useful conclusion.

This corresponds with a recent focus to reduce my house electricity consumption and my shock at how much power my pc drains, even if in one of the Windows sleep modes. I have finally found presence sensors (Tapo.).. which are smart and a lot more sophisticated than the old infrared outdoor light switch.. and have now installed a fair mount of automation.. but my PC is the glaring object that seems most difficult to control.

I know an Apple Mac Studio or Ultra would not present these problems.. but it looks like that purchase has been pushed down the road. I will have to learn the Mac ecosystem beyond my current casual usage and have tentatively committed to explore Swift and Xcode during the Winter months.

It's an interesting little challenge and I am amazed with myself for not considering this sooner..

 

[clee01l]

For this type of situation, I can write VB.Net Visual Studio Basic.... not my preferred dev environment.. One advantage is I can google win scripts for specific tasks and most (now Ai based) suggestions can be incorporated with equivalent commands in VB.

Also, my custom Win Dashboard ( which I am getting more fond of every day.. as its features creep organically to meet my routines) is in VB. A big advantage is the ability to have fully functional Windows forms, tabs and all modern GUI tools.

One approach is I can determine Windows Idle Time ( time since last mouse or keyboard event).. and script to shutdown automatically 15 mins later.. or if LrC loaded.. say 30 or 60 mins later. My objective is to avoid my Pc running for extended periods when not needed (eg overnight). But I am missing the hook which tells me LrC can safely be shutdown.

I am not using LrC for high volume imports.. and am comfortable letting LrC complete preview building as I am using LrC.. as it is not a burden time wise. Also, I am only doing occasional exports .. which are also instantaneous. The concern is internal background LrC processes.. which may be kicked off by lack of keyboard or mouse activity.


A later thought.. is to have a LrC Plugin which can schedule a LrC shutdown after a certain period of inactivity.

I found a few Google references / discussions to using LrC plugin for a controlled shutdown.. but nothing which lead to a useful conclusion.

This corresponds with a recent focus to reduce my house electricity consumption and my shock at how much power my pc drains, even if in one of the Windows sleep modes. I have finally found presence sensors (Tapo.).. which are smart and a lot more sophisticated than the old infrared outdoor light switch.. and have now installed a fair mount of automation.. but my PC is the glaring object that seems most difficult to control.

I know an Apple Mac Studio or Ultra would not present these problems.. but it looks like that purchase has been pushed down the road. I will have to learn the Mac ecosystem beyond my current casual usage and have tentatively committed to explore Swift and Xcode during the Winter months.

It's an interesting little challenge and I am amazed with myself for not considering this sooner..

I had not given power consumption a thought. But now I wonder what the consumption numbers are for my MacStudio, 3 Monitors, DAS and NAs all running 7X24X365. How do you go about measuring this? My Electric bill runs about $300USD /month. Most of which is A/C and unavoidable. I have Smart plugs and switches (Amazon Alexa) through out the house that are timed to turn on and off with the sun or on command.

 

[Gnits]

The amount of devices connected just to my PC beggars belief. Epson P800, Brother Laser Printer, Label Printer x 2, Scanner, Rhode Microphone, Anker Zoom camera, Audio Engine Speakers... and probably more...

But all connected to a Tapo P110 smart plug.


Not only is the plug... very smart... it also monitors power consumption thru the plug... slice and dice how you see fit..

I have all my computer related stuff connected to a a multi socket extension .. conected to a Tapo P110 smart plug..

So.. when I shutdown Lightroom... I simply push this smart Tapo button.. which is connected magnetically to my Desktop .. convenient to my seating position and keyboard, mouse... It can be programmed to do lots of smart things. In my case.. One push turns power to my computer and related devices.. another push .. turns the power off.

And it powers down everything.



I have the advantage that all my drives are inside my PC.. You may wish to do something different with your storage than other devices .. (therein the advantage of a 10Gbps NAS as it does not need a Mac or PC to keep it alive)...

I found that Monitors have an auto power off mode.. but some still draw a fair amount of power (ie their power supply circuits are hungry) .. and like gravity .. all the little power draws seriously accumulate.

My PC is a real power hog when running... but still a heavy user in various sleep modes.. (a combo of many disks and a hungry GPU).


I am seriously impressed with the Tapo range of smart devices ... really impressed.. (especially their presence sensors which really work for me ).

 

[KeithS]

Pick up a "Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor"? Plug in your power strip and take the readings. I wouldn't use it as part of your normal power flow, rather just for the test. https://www.amazon.com/P3-P4400-Electricity-Usage-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU?th=1

 

[Gnits]

I have several similar to Kill A Watt..... and regarded them as the most useful devices ever.. but they are now in a drawer..

and I do not want to be a sales rep for Tapo..
.. but I have been implementing systems all my life.. and in that length of time.. I have never seen such a fully featured, functional tool.. working at all levels.

The big advantage is that is smart device in its own right.. but also smart in how it integrates into the entire Tapo system.. and the apps for IPhone and iPad are really good. My only crib is that they do not have a Windows based app ( so I could use on my main desktop).

I am sure there are others... just relating my personal experience.

 

[Swingman]

I have several similar to Kill A Watt..... and regarded them as the most useful devices ever.. but they are now in a drawer..

and I do not want to be a sales rep for Tapo..
.. but I have been implementing systems all my life.. and in that length of time.. I have never seen such a fully featured, functional tool.. working at all levels.

The big advantage is that is smart device in its own right.. but also smart in how it integrates into the entire Tapo system.. and the apps for IPhone and iPad are really good. My only crib is that they do not have a Windows based app ( so I could use on my main desktop).

I am sure there are others... just relating my personal experience.

My 2c worth of observations.
1 If you are connecting your PC that uses variable power specially running A1 tasks in LrC. These power fluctuations affects the longevity of the switch.
2 I wouldn’t just use one kill switch to de-power all the devices. These devices preferably powered off/on individually, not to affect their electronic circuits. Just one failure of one of your device cost lot more than the switch and the savings in electricity charges. Looking at the display, you are using about 1Kw total per day.
3 That’s peanuts. Not worth the efforts. If you power-off each devices individually then just flip one switch at the power outlet.

 

[Gnits]

3 That’s peanuts. Not worth the efforts. If you power-off each devices individually then just flip one switch at the power outlet.

Not a typical example.. PC shutdown for most of the day.. But left in a rush before turning off Tapo.. So misc small devices, in standby , connected .. and the reason I was looking for a way to have a a controlled shutdown of LrC to automate the full shutdown sequence.