You may just be getting started with Luminar Neo or you may have been using it since it was first introduced, so this may be brand new to you or act as a refresher. You may learn something you didn’t know.
In this first lesson, you’ll see how to make your way around the Luminar Neo interface, in particular the library or catalog module.
You’ll learn about setting up your preferences, and how to install Luminar Neo as a plugin for Lightroom, Photoshop, or your other photo editing software that is compatible. Finally, you’ll learn about the Luminar Neo catalog – what it is, how it works, and where do your image edits get saved.
For new users of the software, those of you just getting started with Luminar Neo, you should be more comfortable with what you’re doing fairly quickly.
I’ll show you around the Catalog module, and teach you some keyboard shortcuts to make your editing faster and easier. You’ll see what is in the side panels, such as folders and albums, and how to use them.
Lesson Updated: 01/2024
Topics covered in this lesson
- Finding your way around the Luminar Neo interface
- Setting up your preferences (Mac)
- How to install Luminar Neo as a plugin
- Understanding the Luminar Neo catalog
- The Catalog module
- Using Albums to sort and gather your favorite images
- Flagging and sorting images
- Searching for images
- A brief introduction to the Luminar Share feature
NOTE: The preferences shown in the video apply to Mac users only. If you are using a Windows machine this is where you can find preferences in Luminar Neo. It just has one check box about data or information gathering. This may be updated in a future version, but that isn’t confirmed.

NOTE: Luminar Share will be covered in more detail in Lesson 17.
For this lesson, just use the sample images already included in the Luminar Neo catalog when you first launch the software.
Where are the RAW files for download?
Included with this course are a set of Darlene’s RAW files for you to follow along and practice.
The link to download them is on the Lesson 2 page. This was done on purpose because that is where Darlene shows you how to import them into Luminar Neo.
Once you’ve watched this lesson, mark it complete, move on to Lesson 2, and you’ll find the link to the RAW files there.
Live photo editing demonstrations
Attend my weekly photo editing Livestream on YouTube and ask your questions there. I’ll answer them and demonstrate the solution in real-time.
I broadcast live for between 60-90 minutes each week on either Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm EST, or Wednesday nights at 8:00 pm EST depending on the season. Saturdays during the fall/winter and Wednesdays during the late spring/summer months.