Synching between two computers

[mrl]

I have read everything I can find on keeping LR synched between two computers (in my case, a desktop and a laptop) and still find the process so frustrating as to make use of LR problematic. I have attempted to "export as catalog." Sometimes, I am able to export to an external hard drive. Other times, I get error messages -- "Lightroom was unable to export the catalog" -- without explanation. When I do successfully export, I then attempt to copy the export files to the other computer. Sometimes I am successful (although I'm a little mystified as to where the files should be copied to); but other times, when I try to import the catalog that I have just exported, I get an error message to the effect that this does not appear to be a valid Lightroom catalog.

Is there an easy way to work on two different computers and to make sure that they are in synch? Surely, if I -- a rank amateur -- find this so frustrating as to cause me to consider not using LR, then professionals must find it extremely annoying -- unless they know how to do something that I don't.

Any thoughts welcomed. I would love to continue to use LR for all of its many considerable strengths. Thanks in advance.

Marvin
Lightroom 2.1

 

[Replytoken]

Keep in mind that LR was not really designed from the ground up for use on multiple computers. Having said that, the easiest way to handle this situation is to place your catalogs and photos on an external hard drive and just move that from machine to machine. Now you will only be working with one catalog, so no synching will be necessary.

--Ken

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Take us through your ideal case scenario - where the image files will be stored, what you want to be able to do on each machine, etc.

 

[mrl]

Ken, thanks for the suggestion, which hadn't occurred to me. Victoria, thanks for asking. Subject to Ken's possible solution, here's what I'd like to be able to do.

First, the structure of my prior images is a mess. I'll clean up my file structure over time. For the time being, I'm worried only about future pictures.

For context: I'm an amateur. I'll typically shoot only on weekends, and, on any given weekend will shoot in the hundreds (at the very most), rather than in the thousands, of pictures.

Ideally, what I would do is maintain LR on my desktop and my laptop. If I'm at home, I'd import new images to the desktop and edit them using LR and Photoshop. I would then want to export the images and the LR files to the laptop, so that I maintain the identical files on the laptop. And vice versa, if I'm away and import initially to the laptop, and edit in LR and PS on the laptop. Additionally, once the images are on the two computers, I imagine I'd still occasionally want to edit some of them on one of the computers, and then synchronize so the other computer has the same edits.

I would want to maintain a backup set of all images and LR files on an external hard drive.

The mechanics of accomplishing this aren't important to me, although the simpler the better.

Many thanks for your help.

Marvin

 

[Victoria Bampton]

In that case, I would 1''% agree with Ken's external hard drive solution. It's by far the simplest and most risk-free option. External hard drives can be a bit slower than internals, but if you're not using it 24/7, that's a reasonable tradeoff. Just go for a faster external if you can.

 

[mrl]

Many thanks to both of you.

 

[Replytoken]

In that case, I would 1''% agree with Ken

Victoria,

Can I blow this up in large letters and hang it over my cube at work where my boss can see it? :cheesy:

And I promise never to use it when my wife and I disagree.

--Ken

 

[Victoria Bampton]

LOL Ken - feel free!

 

[uw_photographer]

Hi MRL,

I too had trouble with the "Unable to export catalog" and now have fixed it with the advice of Brad :cheesy: - See this thread:

http://www.lightroomqueen.com/community/showthread.php?p=37217#post37217

However, I am interested in finding a good workflow using 2 machines (a laptop and desktop). I dont want to use an external hard disk (partly because I dont quite trust them for "day-in-day-out" and partyl because I dont want one hanging off the laptop all the time; I do back everything up to an external hard drive, tho).

My current workflow is to import the photos onto the laptop (for convenience, away from home) and do the initiall culling and work on the images. I am then exporting the new photos as a catalog and then importing them into my desktop machine. That way, as my laptop HD fills up, I can remove images.

What are your thoughts on this, readers? (Assuming there are some.... )

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Great plan UW. If the laptop catalog only contains the new images at any time, you can skip the export and just import the laptop's catalog.

 

[wblink]

Hi,

I think synchronizing is getting more and more needed.
I do it with my phone and outlook (address, calendar).
I want to do it with my Genealogie program (laptop in librairies, desktop at home).
I want to do it with Lighroom.

(Hee, it is snowing now I see: 2nd winter in Hollanf? Have to run of with my camera ...)

Actually i want it working for all my utilities.

The only (almost) really good working prgm is PC-Suite (Nokia) for my phone and outlook.

 

[Robert T Higaki]

I also had problems exporting a catalog from my laptop to my desktop. In fact, I could not do it( transferring files from the laptop to external hard drive to the desktop). I bypassed this by transferring files from my secondary external back up( P5''') directly to the desktop.

A number of people mentioned to my is trying to set up a network between the computers via ethernet cables and hard wire router. By doing this, the two computers can share the same files. I have not tried this. When it comes to computers, I am all thumbs. This may explain why I have not tried Victoria's trouble shooting tips in another thread. Has anybody tried setting up a network?

Bob-the slide shooter at heart

 

[Brad Snyder]

Yes, Bob. But I've been doing this stuff for years.

To connect just two PCs via ethernet, only requires a 'cross-over' cable, a special form of ethernet cable with the wires cross-connected, available almost anywhere. No need to buy a 'box' (hub, switch , router).

Also available are USB peer to peer connectors especially for this purpose. Again available almost anywhere electronics are sold, many are intended for use by beginners.

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Brad,

I already have a four port router since I have two separate desktop computers. One of which is not mentioned in my signature.
If this is the preferred method, do you hit the start button, the run button and the type in the IP address of the other computer. Then, what do I do?

Bob- the slide shooter at heart

 

[Brad Snyder]

Sorry, Bob, I was answering generically. What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Files from where to where? I see laptop, desktop, external drive in your post, but I'm not sure of the configuration.

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Brad,

Well, I just completed a trip and went digital 1''%. I brought a laptop(spec in the signature) and a Epson P5'''. During the trip, I did some editing in LR2.2 so all I wanted to do is transfer all the info(including metadata) from my laptop to my desktop( specs in the signature). This desktop is dedicated for Lightroom and Nikon scanner only.
It seems to me that having a network between the two computers is the way to go. To transfer information from a laptop to an external hard drive to a desktop is not very efficient. Especially, I had problems exporting the catalog but that is a whole different story.

Bob-the slide shooter at heart

 

[marktyler]

Syncing between machines

Robert,
you need to enable file sharing. Best to setup a shared folder on the desktop and "push" the files from the laptop by dragging and dropping in windows explorer. Alternatively you can share the lightroom catalog's folder on the laptop and perform an import from the desktop running lightroom.

General you would access by typing the following into the address bar of windows explorer...

\\<server name>\<share name>
or
\\<ip address>\<share name>

e.g.

\\MyDesktop\Lightroom

If you had a machine called MyDesktop (right-click on my computer -> properties, to find name) and had called the shared folder Lightroom (the name of the folder on the share and on the hard drive don't have to be the same).

You can also "Map a network drive" to assign a shared folder to a drive letter.

It's also worth noting that internet firewalls can hamper all of this.

Here are some links...

XP File Sharing

Vista File Sharing

Firewalls

As an aside I find it easier to have my files and catalog stored on an external drive (which could be a genuine external like a WD MyBook or an internal SATA disk in a caddy). This is because laptop drives are generally 54''rpm (although odd ones are 72''rpm but it kills battery life) whereas an external drive will be 72''rpm. I then back this data up to my file server using a sync utility.
This means (other than my backup routine) I can work on any machine.

I often take my laptop with me, do the first cut and tag etc. Get home and open the external drive catalog and import from the laptop based one.

Hope this is useful.

Brad,

Well, I just completed a trip and went digital 1''%. I brought a laptop(spec in the signature) and a Epson P5'''. During the trip, I did some editing in LR2.2 so all I wanted to do is transfer all the info(including metadata) from my laptop to my desktop( specs in the signature). This desktop is dedicated for Lightroom and Nikon scanner only.
It seems to me that having a network between the two computers is the way to go. To transfer information from a laptop to an external hard drive to a desktop is not very efficient. Especially, I had problems exporting the catalog but that is a whole different story.

Bob-the slide shooter at heart

 

[wblink]

Robert,
you need to enable file sharing. Best to setup a shared folder on the desktop and "push" the files from the laptop by dragging and dropping in windows explorer. Alternatively you can share the lightroom catalog's folder on the laptop and perform an import from the desktop running lightroom.

General you would access by typing the following into the address bar of windows explorer...

\\<server name>\<share name>
or
\\<ip address>\<share name>

I remember vagually mentioning that Adobe does not guarantee that LR will work in a network-situation and ther WERE indeed situations where it went all wrong.
I hope I am mistaken, because I would like to do it. Internet "on the road" isn't THAT expensive anymore.

 

[Denis Pagé]

I remember vagually mentioning that Adobe does not guarantee that LR will work in a network-situation and ther WERE indeed situations where it went all wrong.
I hope I am mistaken, because I would like to do it. Internet "on the road" isn't THAT expensive anymore.

Wilhem it is just the Catalog that shall not be accessed through network. Images can be on network ressources...

 

[Brad Snyder]

Mark, thanks a bunch for that organized info. Bob, if that doesn't get you going ,let us know where you're stuck.

 

[Robert T Higaki]

Thanks Mark for writing that all out-

Once I have the free time- I will give this a try. I am busy scanning my slides and adding images to my website.(www.rxphotos.net)


Bob- the slide shooter at heart