On 2012-05-07 16:31:51 -0700, said:
On Mon, 7 May 2012 08:24:46 -0700, Savageduck
<savageduck1@{REMOVESPAM}me.com> brought the following to our attention:
I would add that using CS, GIMP or another editor or plugin for additional editing, using LR as the center piece of the workflow is not a bad solution.
LR provides a very good non-destructive workflow solution for a large group of digital photographers, which also allows you to use third party software such as NIK & OnOne products and HDR software for those who might care.
So with LR you have importation, RAW processing, strong editing and image correction, a good print module, and web gallery creation. All with a powerful cataloging system.
However as I mentioned earlier, LR 3 created over 11,000 small-file catalog preview snips for my images in 12,000 folder. This has caused a defragmentation problem, and I wonder why Adobe chose such a thumbnail structure? 11,000 small files in 12,000 subfolders? q:-]
-G
Not being a Windows user I can’t address that particular problem directly. I would suggest checking with one of the Adobe forums, or finding a Windows user familiar with LR.
However the small entries you are seeing is the manner in which Adobe records the non-destructive edits and adjustments to your original files. Everything done in LR is non-destructive and reversible. This is where virtual copies are created. Note each of these files is usually a relatively small xmp sidecar file somewhere in the 8-12KB range.
In my case I am using Mac OSX and the fragmentation issue is not critical. LR does create a set of files to perform its cataloging function and to relate the non-destructive adjustments to the original image file, along with a backup of the catalog file. So you should be able to find in a "Lightroom" folder or directory four files, where "x" is the version number; "Lightroom x Catalog.lrcat", "Lightroom x Catalog.lrcat-journal", "Lightroom x Catalog.lrcat.lock, & "Lightroom x Catalog Previews.lrdata".
Then you will have the "Backups" folder which will contain the backup "Lightroom x Catalog.lrcat" file, and the imported image folder, in my case, "Lightroom DNG Images". That is where LR will stash imported and converted image files which show up in the LR Library.
Personally I have not heard of Windows LR users having a major issue with fragmentation. As a matter of fact I understand that Windows 7 addressed many of those particular issues.
Still, I would suggest that you use the full 30 day trial to get a little more comfortable with the eccentricities of LR before rejecting it out right. Just remember, while LR does a good job as a stand alone cataloging and editing software, it becomes truly powerful when working together as a gateway to other software such as CS.
—
Regards,
Savageduck