---
description: >-
  Understand the structure of Luminar Neo's catalog database to manage your
  photo library effectively.
---

# Catalog Database

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Windows Catalog Structure" %}
<figure><img src="https://3998991287-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FynrwC8fnGXULbglwsNaw%2Fuploads%2FuihbKCunnIh5uti4hEXc%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=3d5f6e65-5060-4460-bf1c-5d934b5dc546" alt=""><figcaption><p>Luminar Neo Catalog Folder Structure on Windows</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="MacOS Catalog Structure" %}
<figure><img src="https://3998991287-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FynrwC8fnGXULbglwsNaw%2Fuploads%2FisYQNLXow9hh4rfwOa3v%2Fen-what-is-a-catalog-database.png?alt=media&#x26;token=45fbf46c-effd-4020-843f-4ed8bfe8b50e" alt=""><figcaption><p>Luminar Neo Catalog Folder Structure on MacOS</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

Luminar Neo automatically creates a Catalog when you first install it. A Catalog contains all information about your files, including metadata on flags and edits you make.

Remember that edits you make in Luminar Neo are always non-destructive and are saved in your current Catalog. This means you aren’t changing the actual files but rather are capturing instructions in a database. When you’re ready to share or use your files elsewhere, you can export images with your edits applied.

You can back up your photos by exporting them in different formats:\
![Screenshot](https://userguide.skylum.com/hc/article_attachments/12444075191058)

By default, the Luminar Neo Catalog is created in your Pictures folder. Ensure you **don’t include the Catalog folder when adding images to Luminar Neo.** Doing so will add all of Luminar Neo’s preview images to your Catalog, resulting in **duplicate photos in your Luminar Catalog.**

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Note: Total backup**\
The contents of a Catalog are stored inside a folder. If you’re backing up or moving a Catalog, be sure to back up or move the entire folder.
{% endhint %}
