catalogue question

[Alex Mac]

Hi everyone,
I have only really just started using lightroom and I have not imported all my images yet. I am trying to understand the catalogue structure and catalogue back up, as I think I may have created an extra catalogue. I want to try and start correctly and therefore want to try and understand what the files in the catalogue and back up are.

I do not store my images on my C: but on a different internal hard drive.

My Lightroom folder is on my C: my pictures.
In the Lightroom folder are three folders:
Backups created 15/2/'8
Lightroom 2 catalogue – 2 Previews. Irdata Created 3'/7/'8
Lightroom2 Catalogue Previews.Irdata Created 3'/7/'8
Lightroom Catalogue Previews.Irdata Created 3'/7/'8

I think one might be form an early trail version of Lightroom 1 that I tried, I also think somehow I have created a 2nd one.
In the Backup folder, it seems to create a new folder each time it makes a back up.

There are also 3 separate Ircat files and one Ircat.lock file.
I am trying to work out which one is the current one and then will move the backup folder to a different location.

Sorry if it is a bit of a basic question, I am just trying to make sure I understand how the catalogue and back up works.

I have tried to search the forums but did not find anything, if there is something please point me in the correct direction.
Thanks for any help.

 

[Mark Sirota]

You have three catalogs. They are the .lrcat (it's an L, as in LightRoom, not an I).

Alongside each catalog is a Previews database, which are the files you have listed.

The only thing you need to back up is the catalog (.lrcat). The previews are huge, and can be rebuilt, so don't bother backing them up.

You can open each catalog by double-clicking on it, to see what's in it. Or choose "Open Catalog" from the File menu.

 

[Sean McCormack]

Lotsa questions.

Each backup will create a new file in the Backups folder. You could probably delete the older ones, and Zip the newer ones (they go to about 1/1' the unzipped size).

If you're really worried about the Previews folders, you could delete all the Previews.lrdata and then Lightroom will rebuild a new one. It'll take time though!

The lock file is there to prevent the catalog being opened by someone else when it being accessed already. I assume you have Lightroom open as you look at this folder?
You may also see a journal file too.
The current .lrcat should be top of the list in the Open Recent menu in File.

 

[Brad Snyder]

Following up on the unanswered questions from your OP

Yes, one of those catalogs was from the LR 1.x trial and 2 are from LR 2.x. Note the "2s" in the file name.

And, clearly having the catalog backups on the same drive/folder as the catalogs is not optimal. While it would help in the event of a catalog corruption (relatively rare, but not unheard of) you'll have a total loss in the event of a drive failure.

You need to find an additional/different location for those catalog backups. (ASAP)

 

[Alex Mac]

Thanks

Thanks guys for coming back.
I am trying to start in a tidy manner! Well that is my plan, so thanks for the info and I will move that Backup folder as it is a bit daft to have them together.
Thanks again