Lightroom Classic 12.0 has been released today. As Lightroom is subscription software, this isn’t a 12.0 in the conventional sense. Adobe tends to update the main version number annually around the time of Adobe Max and this year is no exception. Of course, new features have been released every few months, rather than having to wait for a single x.0 release. In the last year, we’ve had:
- 11.1 (December 2021) – Bug fixes.
- 11.2 (February 2022) – Masking & Performance improvements, support for Photoshop Elements 2022.
- 11.3 (April 2022) – Masking & Performance improvements, Reset Preferences option added to Preferences.
- 11.4 (June 2022) – Batch update for AI masks, Invert Composite Mask, Preset Amount Slider and Performance improvements.
- 11.5 (August 2022) – Filmstrip Filters and Metadata Columns minor enhancements.
- Numerous mobile and Lightroom Cloud-based improvements, as well as smaller features.
The entire Lightroom cloud-based ecosystem has also been updated today too.
New bugs…
Lightroom Classic 12.0 Unable to export: Watermark Failed.System Info not displaying on some Windows devices.Windows only – Can’t navigate with space button while using content aware fill healingRare crash when updating a catalog to V12.- These issues have been fixed in 12.0.1.
System Requirements
The minimum system requirements for Lightroom Classic 12.0 have been updated:
- Windows 10 v20H2 or later, or Windows 11.
- macOS now requires macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later.
Masking Updates
The headline at Max last year was the introduction of Masking. This year the headline is also Masking – massive enhancements to Masking!
In addition to the one-click Sky and Subject selection, there’s now also a Background selection. It effectively excludes the main subject, so saves the step of selecting the Subject and then Inverting it.
There’s also a new Object selection, where you can paint over or draw a box around an object and AI makes the selection for you.
And perhaps the biggest one of all is the new People selection mode. It uses AI to automatically select people in the photo, and even their facial skin, body skin, hair, eyes, teeth etc. It’s a real time-saver for editing portraits. Better still, if you save the mask as a Preset, you can apply your favorite skin softening or teeth-whitening settings to other photos with a single click.
Adobe has included a new set of portrait Adaptive Presets to get you started.
Healing Tool
The Spot Removal tool has been renamed to Healing, signifying that it’s now capable of doing far more than just retouching spots. In addition to the Heal and Clone modes, there’s a new Content-Aware Remove mode. It uses Photoshop’s Patch Match technology to analyze the surrounding area to repair distracting areas in your images.
Like all AI, it’s not perfect, but it works surprisingly well, especially on areas of natural detail such as the sky, foliage, stone, etc. In my experience, it doesn’t work quite so well on areas with lots of straight edges, such as removing a person on a bridge. Give it a try and see what you can now repair without having to hop over to Photoshop!
Other General additions / Improvements
- A new button in the Edit Toolstrip replaces the Done button in the toolbar.
- Panels can now be swapped from right to left (option is in Preferences > Interface). This is helpful if you’re left-handed and using a touch screen.
- Show Parent Folder option added to Import (set in Preferences > General).
- Auto-advance setting can be disabled during auto-import.
- Performance improvements when importing from a mobile device on Windows.
Catalog Upgrade
This release upgrades your catalog format, so just be aware that you can’t easily roll back to 11.x. You may decide to hold off updating to 12.0 until more general feedback is received. If your CC App already updated Lightroom Classic to 12.0 automatically, here’s the details on rolling the version back.
If you previously had -v11 in the name, you’ll see it’s intelligent enough to replace this with -v12. You may decide to change the name to not have the version number in it, or change it altogether! Our example uses the Catalog Name ‘Personal’. The Upgraded Catalog name and path to it is displayed under the editable name.
For more details on catalog upgrades, see our blog post Why is Lightroom asking to upgrade my catalog and what does it do?
New camera support:
- Apple
- Apple iPad 14
- Apple iPhone 14 Front Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Ultrawide Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Wide Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Plus Front Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Plus Ultrawide Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Plus Wide Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Front Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Telephoto Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Ultrawide Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Wide Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Front Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Telephoto Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Ultrawide Camera
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Wide Camera
- Apple
- Google Pixel
- Google Pixel 7 Front Camera
- Google Pixel 7 Ultrawide Camera
- Google Pixel 7 Wide Camera
- Google Pixel 7 Pro Front Camera
- Google Pixel 7 Pro Telephoto Camera
- Google Pixel 7 Pro Ultrawide Camera
- Google Pixel 7 Pro Wide Camera
- Panasonic
- LUMIX DC-TX2D (DC-TZ200D, DC-TZ202D, DC-TZ220D, DC-ZS200D, DC-ZS220D)
- Sony
- Sony Xperia 5 IV Telephoto Camera
- Sony Xperia 5 IV Ultrawide Camera
- Sony Xperia 5 IV Wide Camera
- Click to view the full list of supported cameras
New lens profiles:
- Apple
- Apple iPhone 14 front camera 2.69mm f/1.9Apple iPhone 14 back camera 5.7mm f/1.5
- Apple iPhone 14 Plus front camera 2.69mm f/1.9
- Apple iPhone 14 Plus back camera 5.7mm f/1.5
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro front camera 2.69mm f/1.9
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro back camera 9mm f/2.8
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro back camera 6.86mm f/1.78
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max front camera 2.69mm f/1.9
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max back camera 9mm f/2.8
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max back camera 6.86mm f/1.78
- Hasselblad X
- Hasselblad XCD 2,5/38V
- Hasselblad XCD 2,5/55V
- Hasselblad XCD 2,5/90V
- Sony FE
- TAMRON 20-40mm F2.8 Di III RXD
- TAMRON 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD
- Sony Mobile
- Sony Xperia 5 IV Front Camera
- Sony Xperia 5 IV Telephoto Camera
- Sony Xperia 5 IV Ultrawide Camera
- Sony Xperia 5 IV Wide Camera
- Click here for the full list of available Adobe Lens Profiles
Bug fixes:
This is a major update so lots of work was put into the new features, but it did also include bug fixes. Adobe only publishes the ones that were reported by users.
- Parenthesis in file path causes Export to fail.
- Can’t export multiple video files at once.
- Keyboard shortcuts for Rotate Left and Right incorrect in several languages.
- Keyboard Shortcuts (various) in non-English also corrected, along with a number of Help file references.
- Incorrect shortcuts shown in Help for Rotate Right and Radial Filter.
- Progress bar not showing correct progress or percentage value of completion.
- Flat-Field Correction creates DNG without correction applied.
- Remove keyword in Loupe mode works differently to Add Keyword if multiple photos selected.
- Crash on launch (Windows) video_toolkit.dll
- Unused GPU drivers show as out of date warning.
- Export Dialog Left Panel not resizable.
- Image not exporting with Graphic Watermark on Mac (either gives failed message or exports without the watermark.)
- Absolute File Path doesn’t show renamed file names.
If you find a bug, click here to learn how to report it to Adobe.
How do I update?
To update, go to Help menu > Updates or click the Update button in the CC app. The update servers take a while to push the updates around the world. This is deliberate to avoid overloading the servers. You can also open the Creative Cloud app, click the … icon (top right) and select Check for Updates to give it a nudge.
Is the book updated?
Is the book updated?The eBooks for Adobe Lightroom Classic – The Missing FAQ are not only updated, but all the previous changes since 2020 are now included in the main text of the book. The latest release of the book is the 3rd Edition, released today. The book can be downloaded immediately after purchasing. If you already have a current Lightroom Classic Premium Membership, the updated eBooks are available for download in your Members Area.
Love the new masking features in LR 12. I am a Real Estate photographer and often will want to mask multiple windows in an interior photo to enhance the exterior views. I typically use the object selection tool and outline a window, but then to keep going and outline other windows, I’ve not found a way to do that without creating a new layer for every window.
Is there a way to keep selecting, like with a Shift key press or do I really have to create a new layer for every window?
No, there isn’t, But so that you can make the same adjustment to all the windows, you could create each as a separate mask, then drag the object from the subsequent masks to the first one. Then make the adjustment to the mask and all windows will have the same adjustment (if that’s what youre looking to achieve)
I hate that the Done button has disappeared. And what’s with the crop tool? Now it only does crops in the original ratio of the photo, I can’t crop from the bottom or a side or anything – unless I’m missing something?
The Crop tool hasn’t changed at all.. have you tried unlocking the lock icon in the crop panel?
If one is running LRC 12.0 on an Apple Mac Studio Ultra – should this be run using Rosetta or not? AND Should the GPU settings be set to Custom with Use GPU for image processing ticked and Use GPU for Export not ticked — as per historic guidance from Adobe.
The good new is that the issue I had wirth exporting files with WaterMarks has gone away with 12.0.
I note that a bug is reported “Lightroom Classic 12.0 Unable to export: Watermark Failed.” — well not for me — watermarking exports now works AGAIN. I had to role back the previous version to an earlier version to allow me to export with watermarks.
Lightroom should run in native mode now on Silicon Macs. Rosetta was used a year or more back while Adobe were developing the Silicon versions.
GPU – we suggest leave it at the defaults (usually Auto), only change if you find a specific need (I have a Silicon Mac, GPU Auto works just fine for me)
Just to add to Paul’s comments, Rosetta is still needed for tethering, but it pops up telling you to relaunch when you try to open tethering. That’s just because the manufacturer’s SDKs still require Rosetta.
I see the DONE button has disappeared and been replaced with a new one in the Edit toolstrip, silly question but where is the Edit toolstrip, please?
Immediately under the Histogram. The new button is an icon of sliders.
I see it but I would really like it back where it was at the right side of the tool strip.
To update to LR Classic v12 I have had to update my iMac from Catalina to Monterey. I haven’t yet opened LR to upgrade the catalog. My concern is that I can’t upgrade my old Macbook Pro beyond Catalina, so can’t upgrade LR to v12 on the laptop. Will I be able to sync photos to the laptop (and back again) with different versions of LR Classic on each machine? Or do I need to buy a new laptop for travelling?
You’re right, V11 on your laptop won’t be able to open your V12 catalog. If you only add new photos to your V11 on your laptop, then V12 would still be able to import that catalog, but it wouldn’t work in the opposite direction. Upgrading your laptop would be the simplest solution, but it depends how often you travel, as to whether that’s worthwhile.
This catalog-issue [language removed by Moderator] up my complete workflow and backup-strategy, have at least to downgrade:
Setup: iMac on BigSure with LR12 – second machine for mobile display ( = not editing) purpose a Macbook on Monterey and LR11. Catalogs are on a fast external SSD.
Problem: not possible to upgrade the second machine to v12, though newer OS, simply not offered, no reason mentioned.
Result: have a total mess of catalogs, cannot anymore finish editing, pack my Macbook with harddrive and leave to the customer. This is completely inaccaptable, as it costs me time, flexibility, and additional backups, all must be carefully manually managed.
So Adobe really thinks, that I must trow in another 1.000 bucks für an unnecessary machine? Or being left behind – thinking ahead to the coming versions?
Nobody can imagine, how fed up up I am about this, meanwhile second mega fail caused by Adobe this year alone (second is no subject here, but has cost me around 150 sweatshop-hours additionally).
Working intensively with LR sind 2007 – and will be the first to shredder all Adobe-products as soon as possible…
There are massive signs since years, that especially the marketing-guys there never worked in the field of their users – otherwise they would smash their own windows with bricks…
Meanwhile working with LR is really costly – and I don’t mean the abo-fees…
Heinz, I can understand your frustration but please watch your language. This is a family site.
If your MacBook meets the minimum specification, it would be worth contacting Adobe Customer Support to get help installing v12 on that machine.
If the machine does not meet the system requirements, you could still use v12 on your iMac and then export the photos for the MacBook as Original & Settings (or even JPEG, if it’s just for display). v11 would be able to import the originals and read the edits you did on your main machine.
Thank you for your answer, but the situation is a bit more tricky:
“display purpose” just means, that I don not need speed etc on the macbook, as I only do minor adaptions on it. Nevertheless I need the catalog (and not exported pics), because I intensively work with Metadata and Keywords.
v12-export and following re-import to v11 is no way in business: 1. it is an additional step at every step of work (Adobe will not pay the salaries for), 2. it will be a permanent point of failure, with additional management-requirements. 3. it increases the backup-load heavily.
A bit fuzzing around like your suggestions will be acceptable für casual setups, but never for business. Of course, if I calculate as a professional, it will be best/cheapest, to replace the macbook, no question. BUT: this is question of honor – meanwhile I (and I think: we all) are extremly allergic on this company’s efforts, to nudge and push us to where the want… Who is running my business, Adobe or me? They really force me/us to reactance.
Concerning to contact the support: *g* after all the experiences over time, I do best, not to answer that – otherwise I give you a bunch of reasons, to ask me for watching my language 🙂 (to be fair: the girls and boys there are mostly innocent, they just follow their directions)
The one and only reason since years ago for still using LR is the catalog. All other features I can have elsewhere too. The workflow-integration can also be done otherwise. Imho it cannot be rocket science, to add this kind of DAM to whatever software (speaking as formerly longtine programmer), so I cannot understand, why no one offer this….
Again thanks for your support, but my way will be the rollback to v11, and on the long run a complete replacement. On top, the features of v12 are not that brilliant: e.g. the masking-capabilities are more fun than help, we enjoyed a lot of good jokes. So at he moment no real reason to keep v12.
Have a nice day, Heinz
Yep, staying on v11 on both machines is definitely a good option for you, if you don’t want to waste time figuring out why it won’t let you upgrade. I’m sure you’re a busy man!
I’m not convinced that it’s Adobe forcing your hand… they support 3 OS versions back, which matches Apple’s policy too.
The oldest operating system that will run v12 is Big Sur, which can be installed on MacBook Pro’s, MacBook Air’s and Mac Pro’s built in 2013 onwards, and on iMacs and Mac mini’s built in 2014 onwards. Those are all very old hardware even for a hobbyist, let alone a working pro.
If, on the other hand, the computer meets the minimum spec and for some reason it isn’t offering the upgrade, that would be a bug rather than an intentional effort to push you to upgrade your computer. If I hear of a solution that sounds like it might match your issue, I’ll try to remember to post back here.
FWIW, I do agree that Adobe Support often leaves a lot to be desired. I’ve found their forum is generally better than the phone/chat support.
Does Lightroom Classic support edit version as it does in LR?
Lightroom Classic has something similar to the cloud ecosystem’s versions. It’s called Snapshots. Only difference is they don’t sync with the cloud’s versions.
Thank you
I’ve realized recently that Adobe appears to be deemphasizing tethered shooting. Any efforts at finding any updated listing of cameras compatible with tethering is futile. It’s easy to find information from a year ago on compatible cameras, but hardly anything recent. Any thoughts on that?
Here is the list:
https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-supported-cameras.html
Tethering is a little delayed by Mac Mx and Ventura OS. Adobe depends on camera mfg SDKs to deploy its tethering solutions and the are updating for new platforms and OS’s.
Hi,
I’ve just updated to LR12 and there are no visual changes to the image in develop mode. Any changes can only be seen on the thumbnail.
Is anyone else having the same problem?
Az
Sounds like a graphics card driver issue to me. I’d check the manufacturer’s website for an updated driver.
With Mac OS Ventura coming out in a few days are there any known compatibility issues with this LC .
No one can comment on that until Ventura is released to the public (with any final fixes applied)
We’ll write a blog once more is known.
Last I heard, there were a couple of issues that may or may not be fixed depending on whether Apple fixed some OS bugs in their final release. We’ll try to get a blog post out on release day with confirmation of known issues, but we’d generally suggest holding off upgrading as more may be found in the first few days of public use.
The one I am experiencing is apparently Lightroom catalogs cannot be saved to external hard drives when you update to Ventura. I just had this issue myself so I went back to the older version of Lightroom classic until this is fixed. Sucks because I really liked the new features in Lightroom.
Did anyone else ever confirm that you can’t keep catalogs on external drive once you move to Ventura? I’m about to update to Ventura but have my LR catalog on an external drive. Will I have this problem?
This is corrected in 12.0.1:
https://www.lightroomqueen.com/whats-new-in-lightroom-classic-12-0-1/
Hi, Are other Apple users also experiencing ‘ Not Compatible’ in the latest Lightroom Classic update in CC?
Hi Ellie
Not something we’re hearing about – what version of macOS are you using? It does need to be Big Sur or later.
Yes!
My machine (late 2013) iMac will only accept up to and including Catalina.
Question now is… what happens to my subscription, going forward, when I won’t be able to use the new tools etc.
I am quite sure that Adobe won’t be offering a reduction in my subscription any time soon now that I can’t use their upgrades!
Big draw back not mentioned is the Win 10 v20H2 isn’t generally available yet – only released 13 Oct.
Picked up news of v12 via Youtube yesterday. Checked my Adobe Creative Cloud updates and it lists both LR and PS as being ‘Not Compatible’. Win 10 update not available. So think LR & PS update releases should of been held back.
Poor planning
Ummm Adobe supports 3 main versions back, and 20H2 was released October two years ago, so there must be something else going on there. What are your full system specs?
Victoria – system info as follows (64 bit):
Win 10 Home; OS build 19041.867. Installed 17/06/20
Win F Pack 120.2212.551.0
Other than 2H20, shows to be up to date
Intel [email protected]
Google seems to agree that those are too old, but I’m not sure why Windows won’t let you update. If you post on the forum (link in the menubar), some of the Gurus are more familiar with recent Windows versions and may be able to help you update the OS.
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10, version 20H2 in May. This means that you no longer receive security updates, and it might account for the Lightroom incompatibility message. I suggest that you update the OS to version 21H2. Microsoft just announced the release of version 22H2. It’s available for “seekers” at this time. Microsoft isn’t pushing the update to everyone at this time.
I can confirm that the LR v12 Update works with Win10 21H2 (on my PC).