lightroom on multiple computers

[doctahjones]

is anyone using lightroom on multiple computers to edit the same batch of pictures?

here's my situation. i have my home machine where i do 90% of my raw editing (color corrections, crops, etc) in lightroom. but sometimes i want to be able to edit while on my laptop as well. i don't want to have to redo my adjustments again on the laptop for the same raw file. i basically want a way to export the changes i made at home, and import them onto my laptop, then when i'm done reimport those changes back to my home machine.


i searched the threads here but didn't readily see anything, and i found this online which looks promising.

i'm mainly just wondering if anyone else is in this situation, and what they're doing about it.

and in case you're wondering, you can install 2 copies of LR:

Adobe - Photoshop Lightroom 2: FAQ
"How many computers are covered by a single license of Photoshop Lightroom 2?
Subject to the terms of the End User Licensing Agreement, the primary user of the computer on which Photoshop Lightroom 2 (the "Software") is installed may install a second copy of the Software for his or her exclusive use on either a portable computer or a computer located at his or her home, provided that the Software on the portable or home computer is not used at the same time as the Software on the primary computer. You may be required to contact Adobe to make a second copy. Lightroom is sold as multiplatform software, which means it can be installed on either Mac OS X or Windows."

[rwwright]

of course if you save lightroom changes in a seperate file, this is a no brainer. when you copy the files between computers copy the extra file also.
edit catalog settings "write changes to xmp file" on metadata screen

[mmuhlenkamp]

If you export the files to DNG the changes should be kept with the image while still keeping the RAW data intact.

[zerovision]

Select photos, file/Export as catalog. Pick where you want to save it and what you want to save it as. Some people recommend saving it to an external drive that you can switch from laptop to desktop and back. Export as catalog will save the folder with the photos, all the data and all the catalog information to the location you specified.

Once you get to the other computer you will want to import from catalog. file/import from catalog go to the location where the images are stored on the hard drive, open the folder and select the lightroom catalog folder/select choose. This will bring up the import dialog box and then you decide how you want to import.

If you exported photos from desktop and imported to laptop as described above, and then edited these photos on you laptop, when you hook up the external drive to your desktop and select import as catalog and select the catalog that has the edited pix the import dialog box will open, but you options will now be listed under existing photos. this option will allow you to "Replace: Metadata and develop settings only". This option is what you are looking for.

Each time you import from catalog and select the catalog of the images you edited this option will update from desktop to laptop and from laptop to desktop.

If you subscribe to kelbytraining.com there is a video with Matt Kloskowski that shows exactly what to do or it might show this same video on youtube or iTunes.

[zerovision]

Sorry, hit the post reply button too soon. If you try to find this video look for the following title

Syncing Between Laptop and Desktop
Moving your images between multiple drives
by Matt Kloskowski

[doctahjones]

thanks ya'll, i'll give that a shot. i was thinking about using a usb thumbdrive for the catalog part since i copy recent raws to both my computer and laptop anyway...