How to: Create a Lightroom Catalog with Smart Previews

You work with a Main catalog containing multiple sessions:

1. Import your RAW files into LR. Cull as you normally would and then select the images from the gallery that will need to be edited. If you are sending a culling+editing order, simply select all images imported.

2. Navigate to FILE > EXPORT AS CATALOG.

3. Give the Catalog a name (avoid using symbols). Make sure the box “BUILD / INCLUDE SMART PREVIEWS” is selected

4. Wait until the progress bar in LR has fully completed. The process will take anywhere between 20min & a couple of hours.

5. Quit Lightroom

6. Find the Catalog you created, and send us both the .lrcat AND Smart Previews.lrdata files

You work with one catalog per session:

1. a) You have already imported your files: Select all relevant files to your order and navigate to Library>Previews>Build Smart Previews
   b) You haven’t imported them yet: In the Import Dialog box, check the “Build Smart Previews” box before importing your files.

2. Wait until the progress bar in LR has fully completed. The process will take anywhere between 20min & a couple of hours.

3. Quit Lightroom

4. Find the Catalog you created, and send us both the .lrcat AND Smart Previews.lrdata files.