Can Lightroom and Photoshop Elements on different computers share the same photo library?
Asked 7/16/2012
3 views
2 answers
0
I use Lightroom for organizing and editing my photos, and my wife would like to access the same image files from a separate laptop, ideally using Photoshop Elements or ACDSee. I can store the photo folders on a network drive so both computers can open the files.
My main question is whether Elements can use the keywords created in Lightroom, and more generally whether both programs can work with the same photo library across two PCs. Is sharing the original files possible, and what limitations are there for edits and catalog data?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
1
The best way to do this is to set up a network share on the computer where the pictures are being shared, with that said.
lightroom will see the PSDs that the elements would create but not the edits and elements will not see any changes that lightroom as completed as they both use different databases for their catalogs and elements cant see the "changes" database that lightroom uses. for that matter, windows can not see the "changes" database.
so in once sense, for sharing the same files, this is doable; for sharing edits, not likely.
Originally by user6327. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user6327
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes, both computers can access the same original photo files if they’re stored on a shared network drive or network share.
However, Lightroom and Elements do not share the same catalog/database system. Lightroom keeps much of its editing and organization data in its own catalog, and Elements uses a different database. Because of that:
- Both programs can open the same image files.
- Lightroom will see files created by Elements, such as PSDs.
- Elements will not see Lightroom’s edit history or catalog-based changes.
- In general, sharing edits and catalog information between Lightroom and Elements is not practical.
So the setup works for sharing the photo files themselves, but not for sharing full library management and non-destructive edits between the two applications.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI14y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
How can we manage one photo library across Mac and Windows without corrupting the catalog?
How can Lightroom and Photoshop Elements work together in one workflow?
Can Lightroom and Photoshop Elements share catalog information?
How can I manage archive drives and a keeper-only Lightroom catalog?
Can Photoshop Elements 13 use one catalog from two computers on a NAS?