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Catalog backup

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Resoman

Resoman

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LR Classic CC, 8.1 release
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It appears that there is no way to back up my catalog without shutting LR down, am I correct?
 
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Correct....the catalog database needs to be closed before it can be safely copied using Lightroom's own catalog backup process. You can copy it when it's open (as Time Machine can do), but there's every chance the integrity of the copy will be compromised.
 
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Jim Wilde said:
Correct....the catalog database needs to be closed before it can be safely copied using Lightroom's own catalog backup process. You can copy it when it's open (as Time Machine can do), but there's every chance the integrity of the copy will be compromised.
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That's a "feature" of Lightroom. I use Quicken, which also uses an sqlite3 database. Quicken's built-in backup feature can be invoked from within the program at at time. Quicken will always prompt you if necessary to SAVE the last transaction you entered.

Phil Burton
 
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But why would you want to backup while the database is in use ? Every info (develop setting, metadata, etc. is written in the database as soon as you add/modify it.
Saving the database before the end of your job, (which needs to close it) doesn't make sens to me. (unless you never end your job and therefore keep the database open forever).
 
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I shut down LR this morning, and successfully backed up the catalog. Now I've fired it up again and will get back to work, knowing I've got a fresh BU!
 
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In the absence of a Menu > Backup while running Lightroom, there is a useful Script called "LRRelaunch"
Installed and run from the Menu > Scripts > LRRelaunch, it effectively shuts Lr down allowing you to create a Backup of the catalog in the normal way and then automatically restarts Lightroom without any action from you. A Backup will only consume your time.

http://thephotogeek.com/lightroom-power-nap-restart-script/
 
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