Catalogs - Lightroom Classic

Intro

Lightroom Classic uses a catalog file to organize your images. The catalog file is a database that tracks the location and information about your photos.

Default Catalog

When Lightroom Classic is open for the first time it will make a catalog with the default settings.

• The name of the currently open catalog is displayed in the top of the Lightroom Classic window.
• Control click on the name to see the file path

Default Locations

• macOS
  • /Users/[user name]/Pictures/Lightroom
• Windows
  • \Users\[user name]\Pictures\Lightroom

Default Name

• Lightroom Catalog.lrcat

Image Locations

• Images are not stored in the catalog
• They can be stored in various places on the hard drive depending on how you imported them.
• https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/import-photos-video-catalog.html
• https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/importing-photos-lightroom-basic-workflow.html

Opening a Catalog

• Lightroom Classic can open different catalogs.
• Only one catalog can be opened at a time.

1. Go to File ... Open Catalog
2. In the new window browse to the catalog
3. Select the catalog file
   • it will end with .lrcat
4. Click Open
5. A dialog window will appear. Click Relaunch
6. Lightroom Classic will reopen with the other catalog

Exporting a Catalog

1. Go to File ... Export as Catalog
2. Enter a meaningful name in the Save As field.
3. Browse to the Desktop
   1. Uncheck Exported Selected Photos only to export the entire catalog.
   2. Check Export negative files
   3. Check Include available previews
4. Click Export Catalog
5. The catalog files and photos will be exported to a folder with the name you entered in the Save As field
6. The original catalog will still be open. If you need to open the exported catalog follow the steps in Exporting a Catalog.