The new Lightroom release has created quite a buzz. Learn about new features, changes, and enhancements, here!
Note: As of 2019, Lightroom CC is now simply "Lightroom" for desktop & mobile.
Name Change
One of the most surprising changes with this new release is the name change.
- Lightroom CC for Desktop became Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC. (Now simply Lightroom Classic)
- Lightroom for Mobile became Photoshop Lightroom CC. (Now simply Adobe Lightroom)
If you pay for a monthly subscription to access Lightroom, you can upgrade to the new release at any time for free. If you own Lightroom outright (versions, 5, 6, etc.), you’ll need to switch to the monthly subscription if you want this new release. You can do this directly from Adobe here.
The New Lightroom Classic (Desktop)
Our favorite new features include performance and stability enhancements (including improved loading time when using Lightroom presets). Lightroom is now faster! Users also have markedly improved control over Color and Luminance Range Masking tools.
Looking for a summary of all changes made? Adobe provides a nice summary here.
The New Lightroom (Cloud-based; Mobile and Cross-Device)
This is a new interface that allows you to seamlessly integrate the features of Lightroom mobile on desktop, mobile, and web apps. One notable feature of Lightroom (CC) is cloud-based storage of your photos and presets, so that you can access them anytime and anywhere.
Other features of Lightroom (CC) include the same interface for both Mac and Windows users. Additionally, you can now search your cloud photos based on the content of the photos, even if you never assigned content names within the program. For example, you might search for bird in your photos and Lightroom CC uses artificial intelligence to automatically return all photos you have uploaded that contain birds.
For those of you who go back and forth between Photoshop and Lightroom, transitioning from one software to the other just got streamlined. Click here for more information.
Lightroom (CC) also has a new, streamlined interface. The Library and Develop Modules have been condensed. Click here for more information.
While the New Lightroom (CC) is both innovative and easy-to-use, Lightroom Classic remains a stronger software program for editing photos. We continue to recommend working with your desktop-only version of Lightroom (Lightroom Classic) for the best results.
Can I Use Both Programs?
Absolutely. We recommend conducting the majority of your editing within Lightroom Classic, because this version remains the most powerful full-featured Lightroom photo editor. However, Photos, Edits, and Presets stored in Lightroom (CC) sync seamlessly between your devices as your best option for true on-the-go editing.
How Do I Install Presets in the New Lightroom CC?
Click here for detailed written instructions on for how to install presets within the New Lightroom (CC). The process differs from that seen in Lightroom Classic. Lightroom Classic installation instructions can be found here.
2019 Update
As of 2019, you can quickly import entire .zip files (containing .xmp preset files) into Lightroom CC (2.0+) via the "Import Presets" option in the Presets menu.
The newest versions of Lightroom and ACR can import the files they need, and reject the ones they don't. (For example, if you import your entire .zip of manual .xmp files into Lightroom CC it will add your presets and reject the incompatible brushes.)
