Multi-user Support

[dabrosca]

Adobe has significantly improved on Version 1.' introducing the Import/Export feature for catalogs. This feature really helps in working between our two studio systems. Unfortunately, it requires copying all of your files and the catalog from one machine to the other, which makes it a bit time consuming.

What I would REALLY love to see Lightroom introduce, however, is a multi-user mode, allowing access to source files and database over the network. I realize that because LR is database oriented, accessing the same file or portion of the DB could pose issues, but I'm sure there is a creative way to assure users don't step over each other. What would work for us is to just lock access to the database at a folder level. So, if I'm working on one shoot, somebody else could be working on another shoot.

I'm just curious if other users would like to see the same feature and what parameters you would like to see for file access locking (file level, folder level, sub-folder level, etc.)

 

[Ian Farlow]

Lightroom uses SQLite for its database management system, as I understand it. Also, as I understand it, SQLite locks the entire database when the database is active, so two users aren't able to access the same data at the same time on any level: single image, folder, or otherwise.

Although I don't have a need for multi-user access now, sometime in the future, this might be an issue for me. :?

 

[Sean McCormack]

The SQLite DB is designed as a single user database. The LR team would have to implement a different database in order to get multi user functionality. While the team is aware of the need for this, especially for studios, I'm not sure how high on the list something like this would be for updates in this version, or even V2.'. As with Ian, I currently have no need for it, but some of my clients do.

 

[Clicio Barroso]

The SQLite DB is designed as a single user database. The LR team would have to implement a different database in order to get multi user functionality. While the team is aware of the need for this, especially for studios, I'm not sure how high on the list something like this would be for updates in this version, or even V2.'. As with Ian, I currently have no need for it, but some of my clients do.

Well, Sean, I have a networked studio, and being able to multi use the database over this network would improve our flexibility, and shorten the time spent on a job.

Regards, Clicio

 

[Ian Farlow]

I can see where that would be an issue. I wonder what Adobe would have to do to change this, although it seems clear that moving away from SQLite would be the first, and required, step. That then gets into licensing issues because, I think, SQL (the full version) is not open source.

 

[Sean McCormack]

Well, Sean, I have a networked studio, and being able to multi use the database over this network would improve our flexibility, and shorten the time spent on a job.

Regards, Clicio

I didn't say it wasn't useful Clicio, just I have no current need. I certainly do see the need for it, but unless a push is made for it in the immediate, it'll be in a later version. You know how it works with the 'Man Month'. There's only so much that can be done in the times, with the resources.

I'm doing some work setting up Lightroom for a studio next Thursday. I'm positive that they would benefit from a networked version of Lightroom.
Once the shots are done, one assistant can do the rough edit, while another keywords and creates the online selection of the picks.. Etc.

 

[ButchM]

Patience will indeed be a virtue on this feature request. Almost everyone I have worked with since Feb. mentions the need for a shared catalog. I think it will come in time. Hopefully when it does it will kick butt

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Well said Butch

 

[jevidon]

Is this still not a possibility?

This thread looks pretty old, and Lightroom 2 has hit the scene...

Is there any progress on this, or is Lightroom still stuck as a "one user at a time" system?

 

[Kiwigeoff]

This thread looks pretty old, and Lightroom 2 has hit the scene...

Is there any progress on this, or is Lightroom still stuck as a "one user at a time" system?

To give that sort of usability will require a major change to the database structure and I believe at the moment resources are best geared toward features and bugs within the current db structure. Are other similar applications multi-user?