Moving lrcat and lrdata files to another drive

I am running Lightroom 4 and keep all my photos on an external drive, (LaCie), backing them up to another external, (Big LaCie), but the lrdata and lrcat files are held on my start-up disk, (Mac SSD), for some reason and this is now so full that it is slowing up / stopping the whole computer.
(The Backups folder in the picture above simply holds backups of the data and cat files).
Obviously, I think, it would be best to move the data and cat files to the external disk LC but I am worried to do this and then find that these files will not be found by LR.
Please can someone tell me how I should resolve this issue while my computer still works? Cheers.

The catalogue file can be moved but if you're moving it to an external drive I'd add a word of caution.
It will almost certainly slow the running of LR down unless you've got a fast link external drive. There's noting to stop you copying it to the external drive as an experiment. I'd rename it whilst copying as you don't get confused as to which is which. You only need to copy the lrcat file. LR will rebuild the previews file.
Personally I'd look at other files that can be moved (starting with the LR backup files, as they shouldn't be on the same drive as your main catalog anyway in case that drive dies and you lose both the live catalog and all your backups...in case you're not backing up the backups somewhere else too). After that I'd move any files that are data/media from the SSD...Movies, Music Documents etc.
As for why the catalog is on your SSD, well that's where it will run fastest from (though differences vary from system to system). I have a separate SSD just for my LR catalog.

Similar Messages

Can .lrcat and .lrdata files be on different drives?

I use a MacPro. My boot drive is a 3 TB internal hard drive. My .lrdata file (LR 5) is over 275 GB because I have 1:1 previews for all of my photos. I have recently purchased a 240GB SSD which I want to use as my boot drive to increase processing times. Can I have the .lrcat file on my SSD (for speed) and the corresponding .lrdata file on another drive?
Thanks!!

0. Move "{path-to-catalog-folder}/{catalog-name} Previews.lrdata" folder to preferred location.
1. Open Terminal (it's in Utilties folder of Applications).
2. Type
ln -s "{path-to-where-you-moved-lr-previews}" "{path-to-catalog-folder}/{catalog-name} Previews.lrdata"
then press 'Enter' (the return key).
note: {path-to...} should be replaced by the correct path on your system.
Let me/us know if you get stuck.
hint: example of path-to-catalog-folder:
/Users/Me/MyLrCatalogs/MyMainCatalog
tonysiciliano1 wrote:
While I've got your learned attention, I have more questions. My current state of affairs is that I have my .lrcat file copied on both my 240 GB SSD drive and my 3TB internal additional drive. The location of my "Cache for Previews" file is on the 3 TB drive for both .lrcat files. However, the size of the .lrdata file is 271 GB. My questions are these: 1.Does Lightroom create the "Cache for Previews" file from the .lrdata file? 2, If so, is the maximum amount of info LR can use to create the Cache for Previews file 200 GB?, and 3. Will your suggestions be a work around for this 200 GB limit?
1. "Cache for Previews" is a folder named "{Catalog} Previews.lrdata".
2. There is no size limitation that I am aware of, other than disk space.
3. Assuming there is no limitation other than disk space, then yes.
Rob

I re-installed XP and kept the old program files on another drive, how can I transfer my bookmarks list to the new Firefox ?

I re-installed XP and kept the old program files on another drive, how can I transfer my bookmarks list to the new Firefox ?
I tried shifting the Profile folder contents from the old to the new, that seemed to work but I kept getting a message that my security was affected and that the problem could be in that folder so I shifted it back.

Hello Kencrews,
When you connect the iPod to the computer and iTunes is authorized for your Apple ID, then you will get a prompt to transfer the purchases from the device to the computer. Keep in mind this will only transfer purchased items from the iTunes Store.
Here is a helpful article to assist getting that done.
iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1848
Regards,
Sterling

(final cut pro x 10.0.9 )After numerous troubleshooting tips, I am still getting the dreadful your disk have ran out of space, your events have moved or permissions have changed. This happened after I moved some files to another drive. They won't relink?

(final cut pro x 10.0.9 )After numerous troubleshooting tips, I am still getting the dreadful your disk have ran out of space, your events have moved or permissions have changed. This happened after I moved some files to another drive. They won't relink eventhough the files are there.

(final cut pro x 10.0.9 )After numerous troubleshooting tips, I am still getting the dreadful your disk have ran out of space, your events have moved or permissions have changed. This happened after I moved some files to another drive. They won't relink eventhough the files are there.

Backed up avchd files to another drive, can I...

Hi
I've backed up my Panny GH2's avchd files to another drive, different from the drive used for editing where they also are.
To use those files, FCPX imports them wrapped in a QT 'sheath' and produces files about the same size, right. I take it that is not an alias of some kind and it doesn't need the original file any more.
So can I now remove those original avchd files to give me more room on the drive since they are backed up elsewhere and FCPX has a file good for editing of a similar size?
Hopefully this is not too confusing.
best,
elmer

I don't quite get what you mean. When importing in FCPX, you click on the folder and it shows the clips, there's never a choice about importing folder structure that I can see.
And the pop-up window for importing shows 'copy' checked and grayed out so I don't have a choice. I believe that's about how it was in earlier versions of FCPX. I also tested with a small vid file, just moved it actually to another place in the drive which should have broken the connection. No problem with the file in fcpx.
Thanks again!
When You have avchd foorage from a camera, it has a specific folder structure. Some people copy the files from a camera card using the finder and do no copy the e tire folder structure. You ard right that this structure is not apparent shen importing inFCP X.
It is clear that you have it as FCP X makes copy the media over. Thiz is correct behavior when importing from a camera, camera card or camera archive. That's fine.

How can I script moving paths from one file to another?

Hello. I have 1 image with various color correction layers. The other is the exact same size but only contains paths. How can I script moving paths from one file to another? Thanks, in advance, for any help you can offer. Thanks!

Thanks! This one actually worked for me. Thanks for your help.
http://forums.adobe.com/message/3305389#3305389

I moved iTunes and library to new Hard drive M: , now Sync is lost. Need to collect files and rebuild to proper folder.

I installed a new hard drive and partitioned it into 2, P: Pictures: and M: Music: . I moved all my iTunes Files and Folders to the M: drive. Then when I connected my iPhone4 to iTunes it asked if I wanted to create a new sync, I said no but I seemed it couldn't find my old sync file. So I searched my computer for files and folders of iTunes and placed them all into a iTunes folder on the root of M: drive. I need to rebuild the iTunes folder correctly.
I have all the correct items on my iPhone and haven't lost anything. Its just a problem trying to sync. Biggest problem is my music. When I try to sync music there is trouble. I can't seen to remove all music from iPhone and resync. When I thought I did iTunes would say no more music will fit. (Music is normally 70% of my memory on phone and I try and leave 1GB of 16GB free on it).
I wan't to build the iTunes install on the D:\Program Files (x64)\ since I don't install anything on my SSD drive C: except Windows 7.

How exactly did you move the files or more specifically, what did you move?
The correct way to move the iTunes files is to move the ENTIRE iTunes folder (or copy it) from the original location to the new location.
Once moved, hold Shift while launching iTunes and point it to the new location.
If anything other than the ENTIRE iTunes folder was moved, it needs to be put back in the original location to correct the issues created then moved correctly.

Differences between lrcat and lrdb files with new OS and LR 2?

So I just refurbished my machine by wipping my drives that contain the
operating system (Win XP Pro) and other program files. I did regular backups
of all including the various settings for lightroom and everything else I
could find outside of the backup that LR would do on it's own. Previously,
before this refurbishment, I was using LR 1.4 and just did install LR 2.1. I
hadn't upgraded any of my LR databases as I created a temporary picture
database on another drive just to test drive 2.1. So essentially, I had both
LR 1.4 and LR 2.1 install simutaniously. Didn't have any issues either, but
again, just checking out 2.1 prior to abandoning 1.4. Anyhow, in my new
setup I was just going to go with LR 2.1. Realizing that my catalog files
(.lrcat) would prompt to be updated, I am thinking I am fine. But since
Adobe's LR likes to place files all over the place from 'program files' to
'application data' to 'my pictures', I ended up with what "seems" to be some
duplicates and/or am a bit confused as I am not sure what goes where. I
mean, I think I have it all down as I backed up some items such as the lrdb
files and then brought in some stuff I had backed up before this
refurbishment. All seems fine, but I would rather aviod issues in the
future. So could someone tell me what goes where and their file name(s) and
extensions? And when doing this, what is the difference between the lrcat
and the lrdb files? Seems LR 2.1 doesn't contain or create lrdb files. And
lastly, where are my preview files? When I set the lrcat files to point to
my old setup/stuff, the pictures just take a very quick moment before they
are clear and whatnot. Is it best just to recreate? And lastly, is there a
way for me to test and check to make sure I moved the right things into the
right places and that all is working as it should with the proper files? As
an example, all the folders/files that were here "C:\Documents and
Settings\Mark G\Application Data\Adobe\Lightroom" I just copied and wrote
over from my backup prior to the refurbishment and things such as my custom
and downloaded web galleries look fine. Any other thoughts? Sorry for the
long read and thanks for any and all help/input you all can provide.

>And when doing this, what is the difference between the lrcat
>and the lrdb files?
In versions up to and including V1.0, Lightroom catalog files were .lrdb (for Lightroom database). So, if you have already been working with V1.4 you can get rid of any .lrdb files that you may still have.
As regards file locations you could do searches for the following file types:
.lrcat (catalogues and backed-up catalogues)
.lrtemplate (templates and presets)
.agprefs (your preferences file)
previews.ldata (in same folder and with same name as your catalogs)
Lightroom allows you to choose where your catalogs (and associated previews) are stored. It also allows you to specify where Lightroom backs up your catalogs.
Templates and presets are stored in C:\Documents and Settings\YourUsername\Application Data\Adobe\Lightroom
This message gives you a summary of files and it references a Tech Note: http://www.adobeforums.com/webx/.3bc3994c

How to move all FC X files to another drive?

I want to move all my FC X stuff. Everything currently resides on a Western Digital Firewire 800 eSATA drive. I'm working on a MacPro tower with 20 GB of RAM and 4 cores. I'm not overly pleased with the performance when FC X accesses this drive and it gets hot, really hot (burn your hand hot) when backround rendering for large files. I suspect moving the whole kit and kaboodle to an internal SATA would improve overall performance a bit and I can use smcFanControl to regulate the temperature.
The question: By doing this will FC X lose all the links to the source files that I've already used in projects? If so, how do I reconnect media?
I have about two tons of source footage that I imported from cam archives primarily as an excersise when I was first beginning to learn about importing footage in the new app, so much of it is not critical (I can always reimport from the original archives safely held on another drive) however, they've already been analysed and sorted into smart collections at this point and I may want to use some on future projects. So - should I delete events not used in projects thus far and then properly move the ones that are used in projects via the Move command in the FILE drop down menu or just copy all the files and folders in the FC X folder on the eSATA drive to the internal drive via the finder? I'm not currently in the middle of any projects. All have been succesfully completed and rendered out as movies. The clients are all happy and the most important thing - the checks all cleared, so no worries there. Benefits? Pitfalls? Any opinions? We're talking about 1.5 TB of data here.
Jimbo
Damage Control ✴
[email protected]
Doctors Of Chaos

WizOfAhhhs wrote:
VERY USEFUL answers! Unfortunately they don't have a button for that.
Now there's an idea...! maybe worth sending apple feedback about their discussion group
WizOfAhhhs wrote:
I just noticed you're a Bruce from down under. I just returned from Sydney where we worked on the pyro displays for the new year show in the harbor. Hope you got to see the show and enjoyed it. Channel 9 covered it very well, I thought. Posted on uTube. Too bad they didn't put it up there at higher resolution. Maybe it's on Vimeo in hi-res, haven't checked.
Hahah... that's too funny, Bruce from down under. Yes Bruce is a common ozzy names just as much as Scott, Gavin, Turner etc.... But yeah how lucky are you...!
WizOfAhhhs wrote:
Ausie to the rescue!!! Thanks for all the help, Blimpie. All files successfully moved and linked to current projects. FCP X running much more smoothly/faster and no more BAD ACCESS errors causing crashes.
That's cool Jimbo, glad I could help. Next time your here in Sydney pop me an email, we should meet up.
WizOfAhhhs wrote:
I guess the eSATA firewire 800 drive was just not quite fast enough for constant read/write access or maybe it was overheating. I put all the camera archives over there and everything seems fine now.
Shouldn't be the case, I've cut successfully from a 500gb My Passport Studio HD But keeping in mind I transcode my media.
WizOfAhhhs wrote:
BTW, the really large events files not referenced in any current projects were able to be moved via the finder much faster than from within FCP X without any noticeable problems.
I always transfer via finder however I try not suggesting that because it's something you have to feel very comfortable with.
Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.... Happy editing
Tony

Moving images along with project to another drive

I moved several projects (and their related events) to another drive, using Command-drag in the Project window. I answered Yes to "Move Events?". And the video clips and music moved, but not the still images that were used in the project. So, for example, if you open up that project, the timeline shows the thumbnail of the image, but on playback the image is not there. (Titles, music all moved OK).
Is there a way to move or otherwise relink the images to the project? Yikes!

Yes. Use FILE/CONSOLIDATE MEDIA.
http://help.apple.com/imovie/#mov3ac6c7c9

How to link itunes library to music files on another drive

this thing seems to be very easy at first but I have been trying to find a fix for this for quite some time now. It started when my stupid SSDrive just stopped working after one year (they say that is not unusual). I lost my windows install and my itunes library file.
Since my music is on another drive it sure was annoying but I found a not too old backup of itunes.itl. However after I reinstalled windows and Itunes I found out that the old itunes.itl was was looking for my music files on drive D:\ - so the easiest thing would be to change the drive where my .mp3s are (currently F:\) to drive D:. However D:\ drive is now the Win7 System drive and I read I am not allowed to change anything and leave it as it is or it would mess up my win7 install.
The itunes.itl is not plaintext so I can't change anything in it. I could go through my thousands of songs and relocate each and everyone by hand but that is not really an option.
I googled my problem quite a bit and found some step by step guides but they often start with "activate keep Itunes Music Folder organized" or "consolidate". But I don't want itunes to change anything to the way my mp3s are stored. I have been using the same file structure for years and don't want itunes to manage it for me.
Is it really so difficult to relocate all files at once?
Any ideas anyone?
PS: I still have the iphone that I always synchronized with the library before I lost the library. Is there a way to get a .itl out of the iphone and use it on the computer? That library would be up to date.

My script FindTracks can probably sort you out. To keep things simple in future I'd suggest you move the library folder to F:\iTunes and put the media folder inside it as F:\iTunes\iTunes Media, that way when the library is repaired it will be easy to move it to any other location as and when required.
tt2

Documents and media files on separate drive

How do I set up my MacPro so my documents and media files (iTunes library, iPhoto library, Movies) are on a separate drive from my system/startup drive?

You can move the "Documents" folder to another drive. There is nothing special about any folders, but some applications may expect them to be in certain places, and might recreate them if they are not there. File locations are up to the individual applications. Usually you can set things in the preferences.

Moving library and coping files

Greetings all. I am a new Apple convert. I am using Aperture 2.14 and have a large library ~ 65gigs. I want to move the entire thing to an external drive, but do not want to lose any files. Can I just copy the Aperture library from my Mac HD to the external, then go into preferences to re-direct Aperture?
Also, if you have the time, how do I copy individual files from the library to another drive for porting to a friend's computer?
Thanks!

This should work fine - and you can test it w/o getting rid of your old library as well. One suggestion make sure your drive is formatted as HFS (Mac OS X) not FAT.
To get single images just use export version and choose a format and size for the selected images.
RB

Can't copy .mov files to another drive, get msg

Hi
I've been trying to copy some .mov files (ext. isn't showing, btw) to another drive. When I do I get this msg, 'The operation can't be completed because the item "blah blah" is in use.
I also have gotten this msg when copying the folder: 'The operation can't be completed because the item ".DS_Store" is in use.
Then I tried creating a new folder to put them in, and I get this msg, "The operation can't be completed. An unexpected error occurred (error code -50).
QT isn't open. The only apps open are Firefox and Word.
I tried adding both drives to Spotlight's Privacy in System Prefs. No help.
Any ideas?
best,
elmer

Thanks for the reply!
What is the 'DS_Store' file?
Am I right thinking Tinker Tool allows you to choose from that list of details on this page <http://www.bresink.com/osx/0TinkerTool/details.html>, and doesn't simply enable them all?
Thanks again, maybe someone else can chime in about why I got the other messages, tho maybe the ds_store was the reason for all.

Photos, .lrcat and .lrdata on Dropbox

Anyone tried to use dropbox as the location for photos and catalog files?
I'm trying to do this, but everytime I open Lightroom from a diferent machine, it creates conflicting .lrdata and .lrcat files on Dropbox folder.
Any tips?
Or any other idea to share a same catalog/photos on more than one machine?

I have never tried it with Dropbox, although I use that to get my Keepass data to my Droid & home computer. I do sort of this same thing with networked computers. You can copy the lrcat file into dropbox, and then drag it out to someplace on the second machine. Now open LR on this computer. If the lrcat it used last time is not there, it will ask you to browse to a catalog file. Use the one you just brought to this machine. If it opens with a different Catalog than this one you want, hit File/Open Catalog. Browse to the lrcat file you want, and click on it. Remember, any changes, and you will have to replace the lrcat file in the other machine too.

Moving lrcat and lrdata files to another drive

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