File transfer to new computer

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macvol

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Is there a way to transfer photos to a new computer that will keep the editing history associated with each photo?
Thanks.
 
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macvol, Welcome.

The short answer is, 'Yes, several ways.'
For a sensible answer, we'll need to know a little more about how you have the photos organized on the originating computer, and what you intend to do with them on the destination computer.
 
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Nothing very detailed. I just have a few folders set up for different family occasions. I don't catalog photos by rating, etc.
Thanks.
 
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I was asking more along the lines of what applications, etc.

When you say new computer, will that be replacing the existing one? Or are you wanting to use the photos on two computers, with or without Lightroom?

Sorry to be nitpicky, but the answers may different in each instance.
 
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Sorry. Yes, the new computer will replace the old one. With both old and new, I use (primarily) Lightroom 2.
Let me know if there is other info you need to help.
Thanks.
 
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Then it's simple.

You'll, need to move:
1) The actual image files. Keeping them organized in the same folder structure. Where they are to be found on the old computer, depends on what OS, and how you set them up to begin with.
2) The Lightroom catalog database file(s). Again the location depends on the OS, and how you originally set it up. You may have just one or many. These are identified by an *.lrcat filetype.
3) The Lightroom preferences and presets. These are always in the same location, but that depends on what OS.
4) Reinstall the Lightroom application on the new machine. You're allowed individual non-simultaneous use on any combination of two: Mac/PC/Laptop/Desktop.

All of your current editing work will be preseved via #2.

It's really pretty simple, the key is preserving the folder structure of the original photo files.

Tell us more about OS, etc, and we can give you the default file locations.
 
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Thanks. I run Mac with OS 1'.5.6. All the original files were imported as NEF (RAW) and I made a DNG copy. So, is what you are saying is that I can simply transfer one folder at a time and place it in a same name folder on new computer?
 
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I am trying to accomplish a similar operation: I want to have all my images and the Lightroom Catalog/Preset files on an external hard drive that will be connected to either my desktop PC or my laptop PC (both running Vista 64bit). Lightroom 2.3 is installed on both computers. My preset files don't seem to be in the Lightroom folder that is in amounst the images. They seem to be in a user folder. How can I make sure I find them all?

It would be great to have a one button catalog sync function to do this for you......
 
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tmozer, Welcome to the forums.

I've addressed the image/catalog question in your other thread.
Presets do indeed live in a fixed location in the 'Application Data' hierarchy. There is an option for storing the presets with the catalog. Although there can be unintended consequences with that strategy. Our guru Denis elaborates on the whole subject, here. Digest that, and follow up with any questions.
 
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