[Dabhand16]

This is the very reason that I have entered the world of LR very cautiously. Getting it right first time will save so much work later.

Charlotte recommended the Martin Evening book that I have found really helpful. I'm lucky as I don't have that many images to import/catalogue, but for someone like yourself, I think it will be worth just tinkering for a while so you can get the feel of the package.

When you make changes to an image, the new file is saved alongside the original. You can specify where the new image is stored - after the original or before in the library. When you have made ajustments, the original will show '1 of 2/3/4' etc when the cursor is hovered on the image, and the original image will also display icons in the bottom RH corner to indicate what you have done to it.

I think the real power of LR is this indexing facility. The other controls are similar to CS3.