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Catalogs Storing Smart Previews

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gegjr

gegjr

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I keep my catalog, images and presets on an external SSD drive. I would however, like to be able to edit newer images without plugging in my external SSD. Is it possible to tell LrC to store SP on my computer (laptop) without moving my catalog to the computer?
 
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gegjrphotography said:
I keep my catalog, images and presets on an external SSD drive. I would however, like to be able to edit newer images without plugging in my external SSD. Is it possible to tell LrC to store SP on my computer (laptop) without moving my catalog to the computer?
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No. If your catalog is on an external SSD, then Lightroom Classic cannot run without that external SSD, unless it creates a brand new catalog on your internal drive. So if you want to work with your main catalog without the external SSD connected, then you must move the catalog to the internal drive. Smart previews have nothing to do with this. They are small proxies for your original images, not for your catalog.
 
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Johan Elzenga said:
No. If your catalog is on an external SSD, then Lightroom Classic cannot run without that external SSD, unless it creates a brand new catalog on your internal drive. So if you want to work with your main catalog without the external SSD connected, then you must move the catalog to the internal drive. Smart previews have nothing to do with this. They are small proxies for your original images, not for your catalog.
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Well, I beg to differ, smart previews have everything to do with the question I asked. Because, in essence I want to know if it is possible to keep smart previews in a separate location from the catalog. You have answered the question, it is not possible because as you said "smart previews reside inside the catalog" so if I want to be able to use smart previews without having my external drive connected then, I have to keep my catalog (not original images) on my internal drive or somewhere other than the drive that holds my originals. So, you answered the questioned despite the fact I confused you. Thank you.
 
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I am not sure how well it would work with an external drive or with the smart previews folder, but you might try using a symbolic link to refer to the smart previews - adapt the method here. You'll need the catalogue and smart previews on your computer, and the previews files on the SSD.
 
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John, he wants to work without the SSD plugged in. A symbolic link is useless in that case, because it will point to an external drive that does not exist. FYI: I have used symbolic links to store previews and smart previews on an external drive, and it does work without any problems (as long as the drive is connected).
 
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johnbeardy said:
I am not sure how well it would work with an external drive or with the smart previews folder, but you might try using a symbolic link to refer to the smart previews - adapt the method here. You'll need the catalogue and smart previews on your computer, and the previews files on the SSD.
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I hear you but as you said it would still require the catalog to be on the computer. If it can't be done it can be done. I was just wishing it could. Thanks for responding.
 
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