How to play with LR4 Beta?

[KenKovak]

If this has already been addressed, I apologize, I just couldn't find it.

What is the best way to play with the Beta?

I probably wouldn't want to convert my LR3 catalog over to LR4, at least yet. So do I copy just make a new LR4 catalog, point it to my raw file folders and start processing from scratch?  Or is there a way to start from the currently LR3 processed catalog?  When LR4 is released will I be able to retain the work I did in LR4 beta and combine it with my LR3 catalog?

Thanks
Ken

[Schewe]

Actually, you can't use your LR3 catalog in LR4 because the beta doesn't support catalog upgrades...the final shipping version will. The suggested route to using the beta is to create a new LR4 catalog and import copies of your original raws. If you save out the XMP metadata from your LR3 catalog and export a selection of raw image copies (easiest to do with DNG) you can them import them into LR4 for testing.

What I don't suggest is trying to import ALL your files and start using LR4 beta for real work and leave your LR3 catalog alone. I would still do real work in LR3 and only play/test with LR4.

When the shipping version is released, you'll be able to import and update your LR3 catalog as well as your LR4 beta catalog.

[KenKovak]

Thanks, Jeff!  Appreciate the clear, quick response.

Ken

[wolfnowl]

Ken: What I've done, in addition to Jeff's response, is that while I normally have 'autowrite changes to .xmp' on in LR3.6, I've left this off for LR4.  That way when I'm in LR3 my metadata/develop changes etc. are written to the files (as well as the catalog), but in LR4 the changes are being stored only in the catalog and I'm not 'double profiling' the metadata associated with the files so to speak. 

Mike.