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Split Large Catalog into Several Smaller Catalogs

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Leonard704

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Premium Classic Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
76
Lightroom Experience
Intermediate
Lightroom Version Number
Lightroom Classic version: 12.0.1 [ 202210260744-9e008017 ]
Operating System
  1. Windows 10
I have a LR CC catalog with over 126K images, can I break it into multiple smaller catalogs to speed up loading & editing? If so, how would I go about doing it?
Thank you.
 
Splitting up the catalog may make it load a little faster when Lightroom starts and making a catalog backup will be faster, but that’a about it. Editing will not be any faster, and searching for an image may be much more cumbersome because it may it in a different catalog. Your catalog is not that big. Mine contains about 200,000 images and there are photographers who have a single catalog with several millions of images.
 
I have to agree with Johan... you'll cause yourself a whole heap more trouble.

But if you want to learn a bit more, page 493 in your book - Multiple Catalogs chapter > Single or Multiple Catalogs section has instructions to split or merge, if you do decide to go that route, as well as more detail on the reasons it's generally a bad idea.
 
I'd never do that. It's just a database so no known limit to the catalogues size. Defeats the purpose of what LrC is all about.
 
I agree, bad idea. there are valid reasons to have multiple catalogs (one for you , one for your spouse; Business vs Personal, etc.) but size is not one of them.
 
I agree, bad idea. there are valid reasons to have multiple catalogs (one for you , one for your spouse; Business vs Personal, etc.) but size is not one of them.
Yes. Just set up root folders for various categories. I've been using one catalogue since 2011 and have never had a single issue with all the version and catalogue upgrades.
 
I have to agree with Johan... you'll cause yourself a whole heap more trouble.

But if you want to learn a bit more, page 493 in your book - Multiple Catalogs chapter > Single or Multiple Catalogs section has instructions to split or merge, if you do decide to go that route, as well as more detail on the reasons it's generally a bad idea.
I have to agree with Johan... you'll cause yourself a whole heap more trouble.

But if you want to learn a bit more, page 493 in your book - Multiple Catalogs chapter > Single or Multiple Catalogs section has instructions to split or merge, if you do decide to go that route, as well as more detail on the reasons it's generally a bad idea.
Thanks to all who replied to my request, including the "Queen" herself.
I get the message loud and clear, I will leave my catalog as is . I really appreciate the quick replies.
 
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