Catalogs Creating second copy of catalog from one external drive to another external drive on a Macbook Pro

[saxriff1]

Lightroom Version Number

Version 11.0

Operating System

1. macOS 10.15 Catalina

Although I have Lightroom Classic on my Macbook pro hard drive, I have another copy of Lightroom Classic on an external hard drive along with a folder of all my original images and use only one catalog. I also backup my catalog on the same external drive. When I add new images to the original images folder on the first external drive, I also copy them to a folder on a second external drive. I would also like to be able to add a backup of my catalog from the first external drive to the same second external drive. I would appreciate any information on how I should do that.

 

[Hal P Anderson]

You have the right idea: backing up to a different drive will save you no end of grief if the disk your catalogue is on dies.
I assume you have set your catalogue to back up on exit (General tab of the Catalog Settings dialogue).
Then, when you exit and get the following dialogue box, click on the Choose button and choose a folder on your 2nd external drive to hold backups. All future backups will go there.

 

[saxriff1]

You have the right idea: backing up to a different drive will save you no end of grief if the disk your catalogue is on dies.
I assume you have set your catalogue to back up on exit (General tab of the Catalog Settings dialogue).
Then, when you exit and get the following dialogue box, click on the Choose button and choose a folder on your 2nd external drive to hold backups. All future backups will go there.
View attachment 17423

Thanks so much for responding Hal. Is it possible to have the catalog backup to both the original backup folder on the first external drive from which I launch Lightroom as well as to a backup folder on the second drive where I also have a copy of all my original images. Or can I simply make a copy of the back up catalog on the first drive and paste in a folder on the second drive, perhaps once a week. Sorry if this sounds convoluted.

 

[Hal P Anderson]

It's better to have your backup folder on the second drive. If your first disk dies on the sixth day, you lose a week's worth of work. Do you have Time Machine running? If it backs up your LRC-produced backup file, you'll be OK.

 

[saxriff1]

It's better to have your backup folder on the second drive. If your first disk dies on the sixth day, you lose a week's worth of work. Do you have Time Machine running? If it backs up your LRC-produced backup file, you'll be OK.

Yes, I do use Time Machine to back up my computer. However, the Lightroom backup file is on my first external drive along with the program and original photos. I will take your advice and change the location of the Lightroom catalog backup folder to my second drive. I also keep a copy of all the photos on that drive as well. Thanks again for your help Hal.