Do you think that every version of Adobe Lightroom runs slower than expected regardless of how highly optimized your computer is? In case the answer is yes, you have to improve the Lightroom’s performance for the editing chore. If you don’t know how to speed up Adobe Lightroom, follow these handy tips and make your editing tenure a breeze.
Increase ACR cache
Basically, the cache is the quick access memory used by the Lightroom to load photos and adjustments, meaning a bigger one lets it store and call this info quite faster without redoing any processing for each file. Perhaps, this setting is the biggest adjustment that can be made to allow Lightroom to use your computer’s resources in a better way. While the default setting is paltry 1 GB, upping it to 20 GBs will present Lightroom extra breathing room while allowing you to zip through images at a higher rate. This setting is located under preferences -> File Handling.
Give 1:1 previews on import
Preview files are generated by Lightroom and displayed in the develop module for each file. The bigger the preview, the better and more detailed your photo will look. In case you have ever switched photos and experienced a blurry file for a few seconds and then a sharp, clear image, it is Lightroom producing the appropriate size of preview for your monitor.
You could skip this step whenever you switch to a new image by rendering 1:1 previews on import. You can find this handy option at the top right of the import dialog.
Use smart previews
In a way, smart previews are just the opposite of 1:1 previews. These are separate files that allow you to edit images even in the absence of the raw files, say you store the files on an external drive and it happens to get disconnected. The benefit of smart previews is they load and process faster compared to full size files. You could carry out all the editing on smart preview files, then plug the external drive back in while syncing everything to full size files for export. Smart previews can be generated on import just like 1:1 previews. You can also generate them in the Library module anytime.
Optimize the catalog
A catalog is a list of photos and adjustments that you have made, as well as the organization of names, folders, ratings and any other parameter that can be adjusted in the Lightroom. Things could get messy quickly, especially when the catalog gets loaded with thousands of images. Optimization will let you clean up the catalog file, which in turn will allow the Lightroom to retrieve and write information faster. You can do this by using the option go to file -> optimize catalog.
Use video cards for processing
Innovative video cards are able to handle massive amount of processing, particularly those with bigger amounts of RAM. In case you have a quality video card, such a setting could offload some of the processing from the CPU to the GPU, and make them work together to speed up things. You can find this setting under Preferences -> Performance. However, this option may not be possible if you have an older computer with no graphics unit.
Create a new catalog
Since catalogs can get messy quickly and hamper the performance of the Lightroom, it would be better to make a new catalog. If an existing catalog contains 20,000 images or more, start a new catalog to provide the Lightroom a clean room. To create a new catalog, go to File -> New Catalog. However, make sure you backup old catalogs just like you backup old raw files.
Convert your raw files to DNG
DNG is the raw file format designed by Adobe. It is a universal file type to edit software. Additionally, it is capable of keeping files independent of camera maker changes in the future. DNG means Digital Negative (just like true film negatives), and it is a long lasting standard that preserves your files even if the camera manufacturer stops supporting their old raw files. Use of DNG can boost the performance of some files and allow the Lightroom to do the editing process speedily. You can locate this option at the top of the import module.
Apply presets on your import
If you have a go-to preset as a base for editing, you can apply it during import. This will allow the Lightroom to do the crunching while importing and organizing files. You will definitely love this option as it lets you see a closer to finished product when you cull in the library module. All you have to do is do fine tweaking of chores such as exposure and/or adjustment brushes. To find this option, look under Apply During Import -> at Develop Settings and choose your preset.
Use a solid state drive (SSD)
SSDs can do computer chores up to 30 times faster compared to conventional disc centered hard drives. Whether it is importing, editing or exporting, you can do everything in the Lightroom at a lightning speed with an SSD. Most of the modern computers come with an SSD feature. However, if you have an old computer, you may want to add an SSD to your desktop to reap its benefits.
Optimize the hard drive
No matter whether you use an HDD or SSD, there are certain things that you could do to optimize their performance. All hard drives work better when they have a lot of free space to work with. In case your hard drive has less than 25 percent of its free space, all the temp files and caches used and created by the Lightroom can hamper the drive’s performance. In the worst case, your hard drive could crash. So take time to clean the temp files and free up at least 35 percent of the disk space to boost the working of the Lightroom.
Bottom line
An optimized Lightroom increases your work speed while editing images and files. However, there are situations when the Lightroom might work slowly. When you observe this, follow the above tips on how to speed up Adobe Lightroom. Within no time, your Lightroom will start working speedily and efficiently as desired.