Today’s Question: How can I make a folder of images from Lightroom Classic to try Lightroom CC, as you recommended during your recent webinar?
Tim’s Quick Answer: When you want to test Lightroom CC (or any other software for working with your photos), I do recommend that you create copies of a variety of images to use for testing. From Lightroom Classic, you can use the Export feature to copy images in their original format to a test folder on your computer.
More Detail: Before testing out new imaging software, especially when that software is focused on managing your photos, I consider it imperative to create test copies of some of your photos to use for testing with that software. I also recommend that the duplicate photos be a representative sample of the file formats and capture types that are typical in your workflow.
If you’re managing your photos with software (such as Adobe Bridge) that does not employ a central catalog, you could simply copy a representative folder to a new location, naming it in a way that will make it clear this is a test copy of that folder.
With Lightroom you can create such a test folder by selecting images within your catalog that you’d like to use for testing, and then using the export feature to make copies of the original images.
After selecting the images you want to use (such as by using the Edit > Select All command on the menu to select all of the photos in the current folder), you can click the Export button at the bottom of the left panel in the Library module.
In the Export dialog, you can select the location where you want to copy the photos in the Export Location section at the top of the dialog. If the selection of images also includes video clips, you’ll want to turn on the “Include Video Files” checkbox in the Video section as well, selecting “Original, unedited file” from the Video Format popup. In the File Settings section you should select “Original” from the File Settings popup. This will cause copies of the original image files on your hard drive to be created in the folder location you’ve specified. Note that for raw captures this export will include an XMP sidecar file that includes the Develop module adjustments you’ve applied to the image.
With the export settings established, you can click the Export button to process the images. Once the process is complete, you’ll have copies of your photos in the folder you specified, ready to be used for testing with Lightroom CC or any other software you’re considering for your photographic workflow.