When you right click an image, you can select 'edit in' and as I think you use PS, you would probably choose that (you access installed plug-ins from that dialogue box too). You then get another dialogue box pop-up in which you choose how you edit it - with LR changes saved or unaltered etc. Whatever you choose, the externally edited file gets returned into LR and - if you choose - stacked with the original as a TIFF or what ever you have selected. .nefs only exist as unaltered files with the database of changes being done to them when you open them and do anything.

You can rename, but if you do - and this goes for moving or whatever - do it in the library window of LR so the database (catalogue) keeps track.

Take a look at the preferences for backing up to see all the options, plus google LR plug-ins as there are plenty - some of which are pretty useful.

HTH Skinty.

I knew I could count on you two :-) Thanks for the advise. I'm still unsure on two points. Is there a way of permanently editing the original NEF (and it remaining a NEF)? And what would happen if I changed the file name of the original data, I imagine the it would no longer link up with it's edits in the catalogue? Oh, and is there a way of automatically backing up the database to an external drive on exiting the program? I found not having a "save work & exit" button very disconcerting when quitting the program!

The original RAW/ NEF file remains unchanged, so it does not need backing up after editing

edits are all stored in the data base so you need to back up the data base daily

I have 2 backup

one on an external, backup daily

a second copy, in a fire safe, backed weekly or after a wedding

the only program that can read a LR data base is LR

If you want to send picture to some else it need to be something like a jpeg

adding a water mark helps people identify you as the author
if you want protection against copy right infringement you need a hidden encrypted water mark and a good lawyer

give me ring if you get stuck

1/ Use snapshots of any stage of your edit you want to keep.

2/ Back-up your catalogues regularly and to multiple destinations if you are that worried. Weekly is std, perhaps after each job is better for you.

3/ watermarking is done at export so if you are doing previews for a client watermark a lower resolution copy is good.

Hope that is all correct!

Secondly, if I don't permanently change the original NEF file to the edited version, I presume I must be right in thinking that ALL your edits and therefor time, are stored in the catalogue? At the moment I notice that LR4 defaulted to storing that in "my pictures" on the C drive. This would mean that if my HDD were to fail, I would loose all my edits (but not the original NEF's which are kept on a separate RAID device). How do you guys (and gals) protect yourselves from this? Do you just backup your catalogue, and should I store it on my external drive instead of my PC's?

Do you bother to watermark your images? If I apply my name to the bottom of the photo's does this serve any purpose in the digital age?

Any suggestions would be appreciated, many thanks. (I tried to post both parts of my question together, but for some reason the site wouldn't accept them?)

OK, so I've finally used LR4.2 professionally on my new PC for the first time last night. I just wanted to check a few things with all you aficionado's here on NRF. I know I have only touched the surface on what the software can do, but my first impressions........."I like it"! Help me with these questions though please:

I know you will not always want to, but is there a way of LR4 changing your original NEF into the edited version (so you can view the LR4 edited file in another program)? I believe I'm right in thinking that the catalogue (English spelling), is where the changes to the original NEF are stored, and when an image is opened in the program it looks to the catalogue to see if it should apply any previous edits? If that's the case, it would explain why when I shut LR4 down, and opened the RAW file in view NX, I got the fright of my life when all my work had disappeared. When I opened it in LR4 it was all back...phew! That brings me to another question, what happens if the original file name changes? How does LR4 tie up the edits it has in its memory, with a file that has changed name?

spraynpray said:
My change from disk to flash didn't result in the speed increase I was hoping for, but at least the PC starts faster now. Once opened, the image processes fast, but it is the initial render which isn't as fast as expected.

I THINK

The flash drive will only speed up the data base finding the RAW file

processing speed seems to be a combination of processor and RAM

My change from disk to flash didn't result in the speed increase I was hoping for, but at least the PC starts faster now. Once opened, the image processes fast, but it is the initial render which isn't as fast as expected.

sevencrossing said:
Thanks for the advice Skint

My Dell is dying and I have just ordered the same

Sometimes failure can be such sweet sorrow! :-) All I've loaded on to my machine is the various image editing software I use. I haven't even set it up for email. I don't want ANYTHING unnecessary running in background slowing it down.

SkintBrit said:
Well you'll never believe it, but I'm typing this on one of these!

Thanks for the advice Skint

My Dell is dying and I have just ordered the same

Congrats on the new machine, SkintBrit.

Well thanks to Gareth's help, my eSATA LaCie raid HDD is now working with my new PC. I imagine it's because I am coming from a far lower bar, but the performance increase is quite astounding. Where I would have to wait several seconds for each image to open and render correctly on my Vista laptop, I can open files instantaneously as fast as I can click now! Seven's advice sounds right spraynpray, but as I haven't done what your trying to do, I'm afraid I can't be more helpful. Good luck though, let us know how it works out, and if you notice a significant difference.

As far as can make out, the important thing is to keep the data base on the fast drive,
the RAW files can be on an external

I am about to change my 7200RPM HDD for SSD to get the speed of LR4 up. I have upgraded to a 3GHz quad core with 8Gb of DDR3, but I didn't get quite the hike in speed that I expected so I thought I would get a 64Gb SSD (Sandisk) to run windows, PS and LR4 off as I saw it for just £31.

Anybody got any helpful hints to guide me through the clean install of W7 64bit and LR4 to help me get the best out of this? Should I go for Windows etc. on the HDD and just keep image files on the SSD maybe?

SkintBrit said:
Thanks a lot Gareth, there are two PC "repair" shops in my locality, I'll pop in and have a chat about my options. Armed with the above I'll feel much more confident about it, so thank you!

That's exactly what I would do Skinty but you do need to summarise your requirements carefully as otherwise they will sell you what you asked for as opposed to what you need. They can then sell you what you need later..... ;/

Thanks a lot Gareth, there are two PC "repair" shops in my locality, I'll pop in and have a chat about my options. Armed with the above I'll feel much more confident about it, so thank you!

Well the only way I can really explain is with a picture

these are the internal cables that connect to your motherboard. there would be no point connecting on the front of the unit via esata, only to have it connected at the back via usb2.

generally, esata is better for hdd/ssd as there is no need to convert to usb, then back to sata. the whole stream remains in sata. (geeks seem to think) this is better.

Sata has two speeds. 3Mbps and 6Mbps (note these are transfer bits not storage bytes). You will need to have 6mbps sata ports on your motherboard to be able to use these with the device i showed earlier, and most likely the little reader will only be 3mbps, unless you manage to find a 6mbps one. The other alternative is to get a pci express 6mbps esata controller card, but then you'll have to plug in at the back of your machine instead of the front (and if you only have one pci express slot on the motherboard it is probably taken up by the video card).

HELP! Now that I've successfully installed all my photography software on the new computer, I'm uninstalling them all from my laptop, as I'll not be using this for editing work any more. All of them have uninstalled correctly, except my copy of photoshop CS4. When I go into control panel/programs and features, and click on CS4 (after deactivating the software in the program help menu, as stated in the advise box that pops up) I get a box that asks me what components I wish to uninstall, when I select everything, and then click uninstall, a new box comes up that states its uninstalling, but nothing happens. I have restarted the PC and tried again, with the same result. Is there a tool on the adobe website for removing all traces of their software? I have found one called Adobe creative Suite cleaner tool, but it states "uninstall the desired version of Adobe creative Suite product prior to using the creative Suite cleaner tool. Doh! Anyone have any suggestions how to get this program off my system? Mike you must know if you watching, you're the forums resident Adobe expert :-)

Gareth said:
just make sure it connects via sata internally and not usb.

Nope, I don't think I understand?

Which is faster, eSATA or USB 3?

don't be stupid, just put an 3.5" esata/card reader in your machine

google:

3.5" eSATA SATA Internal Card Reader

just make sure it connects via sata internally and not usb.

Thanks for the advice Gareth. I am currently storing my work on a LaCie 2big Quadra, so have a limited RAID set up already. Unfortunately I've only now realised, after getting the new PC home and connecting everything up, that I'm going to have to connect it via USB 2! I hadn't noticed that the new machine doesn't have any FireWire or eSata ports, and altough it does have several USB 3 connections, the LaCie doesn't support that. Doh!

So it seems to me, my options are either connect via the USB 2 cable, or have to go to all the expense of buying a USB 3 compatible device? After blowing a not inconsiderable sum of money on the computer, I think I'll have to go for the first option.

lol, i read that and started bitching about spam bots, then realised it was a genuine post.

I bought an orico enclosure off ebay, which takes 3TB drives and has usb3 and esata. the multiple drive ones support raid (which i didn't bother with). Great little enclosure. I HIGHLY recommend you get one and do an off site backup at least once a week.

Yes, cleaned me out seven, thanks for your advice :-) Whilst installing my licence for Portrait Pro 9 Studio, it asked if I would like to upgrade to the studio 64 version, which is designed to run on 64bit windows. It's about £30 to upgrade, is it worth it?

Congratulations . Are you now completly skint brit .. No differace with 64 but it allows you to use the exta RAM

Well you'll never believe it, but I'm typing this on one of these! http://www8.hp.com/uk/en/products/desktops/product-detail.html?oid=5281259&jumpid=oc_r1002_uken_c-001_r0001&lang=en&cc=uk
Just bought it home and got through the set up stages (the very first website I visit is NRF LOL). Wow, I've never used windows 7 before.....so much to re-learn. I'm just going through installing all my photography software, and noticed that it has installed the 64bit version of LR4 this time.....what are the major differences if any? As I've now got 3TB to play with, I'm finally looking forward to using the software "in anger", without fear of crippling my system.