How to Copy an Exported Catalog to a Disc in Adobe Lightroom

How To 3 min
Review these steps on how to copy an exported catalog to a disc.

For security reasons, there may be times when you're asked to copy and send information via disc. Follow these steps to remind yourself on how to do so.

In Adobe Lightroom, select the folders and files you wish to export.

Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with folder open and files to be exported selected.
Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with folder open and files to be exported selected. Adobe product screenshot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Inc.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200908-D-PA656-0026

Select “File > Export as Catalog.” This opens the Export dialog box.

Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with file menu open and export as catalog option highlighted.
Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with file menu open and export as catalog option highlighted. Adobe product screenshot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Inc.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200908-D-PA656-0013

In the Export dialog box, choose the following settings to copy the catalog to a disc:

  • De-select “Export negative files.”
  • De-select “Build/Include smart previews.”
  • De-select “Include available previews.”

    Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with export dialog box open and mouse pointer located at menu options to de-select.
    Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with export dialog box open and mouse pointer located at menu options to de-select. Adobe product screenshot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Inc.
    Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
    VIRIN: 200908-D-PA656-0014
In the same Export dialog box, select the location on your local hard drive to export the catalog. Note that Lightroom catalogs cannot be saved to a network drive.

Name your catalog.

Select “Save” to export it as a catalog.

Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with export dialog box open and mouse pointer located on the save button.
Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with export dialog box open and mouse pointer located on the save button. Adobe product screenshot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Inc.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200908-D-PA656-0024
Insert a blank disc into your computer.

Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with file browser open and mouse pointer located over the disc icon.
Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with file browser open and mouse pointer located over the blank disc icon. Adobe product screenshot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Inc.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200908-D-PA656-0025

If a window does not pop up automatically:

  • Open a new window and double-click on the disc drive.
  • Select “Like a USB flash drive,” to add files later then select “Next.”

    Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with burn a disc dialog box open and like a USB flash drive highlighted.
    Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with burn a disc dialog box open and like a USB flash drive highlighted. Adobe product screenshot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Inc.
    Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
    VIRIN: 200908-D-PA656-0023
Drag and drop, or copy and paste, the exported catalog you created in Step 1to the disc drive.

Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with the exported catalog located inside disc drive folder.
Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with the exported catalog located inside disc drive folder. Adobe product screenshot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Inc.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200908-D-PA656-0018

Drag and drop, or copy and paste, the project folder containing your photographs to the disc drive.

Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with the project folder highlighted inside disc drive folder.
Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with the project folder highlighted inside disc drive folder. Adobe product screenshot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Inc.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200908-D-PA656-0019
Copy the files.

Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with the file browser open and mouse pointer located over the disc icon.
Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with the file browser open and mouse pointer located over the disc icon. Adobe product screenshot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Inc.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200908-D-PA656-0020
To properly eject the disc, right-click on the disc drive icon and select “Eject.”

Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with the disc drive menu open and the eject option featured.
Screenshot of Adobe Lightroom with the disc drive menu open and the eject option featured. Adobe product screenshot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Inc.
Photo by: DINFOS PAVILION Team
VIRIN: 200908-D-PA656-0021

Your catalog is now ready to be imported to another computer.

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