LR2 compatibility with LR1.4

[achrysos]

I'm really eager to try the LR2beta, but have some compatibility concerns with my present catalogue in LR1.4.1. Given that LR2 is in beta, this means that it is likely that some things will not work as they should be the time of the final release.

So this is my question for you - if I try LR2beta, and start using it with my existing catalogue, will I be able to go back to LR1.4.1 if something goes belly up with LR2.

Of course I intend to back up the catalogue before trying LR2.

Thanks for you help,
Antonio

 

[Brad Snyder]

Antonio, LR2 can't convert/import your existing catalogs (the final release will be able to).

I don't have it working with my real catalogs. I decided to work with a small duplicate set of my image files in LR2.

First I selected a small subset of my folders in LR 1.x. These were all RAW or DNG files. I forced (ctrl-s) metadata writes on all the files, so that the DNGs contained current metadata, and the RAWs had XMP sidecars.

With LR 1.4.1 closed, I used the OS (explorer in my case) to copy the source folders to a new location.

I then started LR2 and imported those new folders. Since the metadata had been saved, they came in fine, with all the previous adjustments.

I can thusly play to my heart's content, without worrying about my 'real files', or compatability issues. Personally, I don't think that the LR2 beta is ready for production work, and I expect there may be a great deal of changes in the final release. I haven't commited any important real work to the beta version only. Although I know others that have and they seem relatively satisfied.

That's how I did it, others may offer different advice.