Lightroom 2 is making me cry

[ryanyboy]

Hello all,

I've just installed Lightroom 2 onto my PC. I've inserted the reg key. Next it asks me "Select Catalog" or there's an option to "create new catalog".

All very well but whatever I do I'm stuck on this screen.



Can anyone give me a nudge in the right direction.

Ta

Ryan

P.S Apologies if this thread should be elesewhere but I figured you fellow togs might just know the answer.

[Radiohead]

Have you upgraded or is this the first time you're using LR?

The catalogue is simply where you want the pictures to be stored as LR's library. You can have as many as you like (some people use one catalog per shoot, for example). So, tell it where you want it to be and you're good to go.

[ryanyboy]

Originally Posted by Radiohead

Have you upgraded or is this the first time you're using LR?

The catalogue is simply where you want the pictures to be stored as LR's library. You can have as many as you like (some people use one catalog per shoot, for example). So, tell it where you want it to be and you're good to go.

Hi Guy.

What I'm actually trying to do is to get Lightroom to import all the photos on my harddrive. I assume it does this? If not then I'm the muppet of the year!!

If this isn't what is supposed to happen do I have to start by downloading NEW pics using LR2?

Dazed & Confused Ryan

[Radiohead]

You need to create the catalog and then import the shots. The catalog is what stores the metadata. XML sidecar files etc that tell the application what changes have been made to images. In essence that allows you to take a catalog to another PC, along with the images, and it'll re-apply the changes.

So, create the catalog and then select 'Import Photos from Disk'. Until you import LR won't know about the photos. (This doesn't apply where you're upgrading to LR2 and point it at an existing catalog).

LR leaves the raw files alone - nice, non-destructive editing.