Workflow and/or Preference settings in DXO PL4.3.1 for a two computer workflow

[mikemyers]

I posted a new thread about whether I can allow both my Desktop Mac Mini computer and my MacBook Pro could both access a folder with the photos that came from both places. It was suggested that I come here to this thread. I read the following, and a lot more:

@uncoy

I’d like Photolab to avoid these issues by dropping the database approach altogether and just read and write to XMP and .dop files. as much info as possible should be written into XMP, as that data is mostly easily exchanged between programs.

@MikeR

“Some information not written to dop sidecars” really needs to be fixed. Honestly DXO may consider this a new feature request. I consider it a bug fix.

@uncoy

The XMP file specification includes detailed information about how to store and exchange keyword data, rating data and copyright data. There’s limited support for cropping (nothing like what is in the full Viewpoint), white balance and luminance. .dop files make sense for proprietary data related to image processing.

I don’t use PL5 for anything other than editing. No need for keywords. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that if I delete the PL5 database on both computers, this idea of one large folder “somewhere” would work, but it’s a bad idea.

If that is true, is there a problem with copying the entire folder structure from my MacBook Pro, and copying it to the appropriate area on my Mac mini?

I think the safest way for me is to start a new “2022” master folder on both computers, and over time, move anything I add to the MacBook Pro to the folders on the Mac Mini. Then I can delete them from the laptop, or just leave them in storage in a folder on my external drive.