The Controlled Vocabulary Keyword Catalog or CVKC, can be imported into version 1.1 or later (in other words, the format has not changed over version 2, 3, 4, 5 etc. ) of Adobe Lightroom (Lightroom must be purchased separately) using a Text file formatted specifically for the Lightroom image database and saved with a unicode encoding. When installed, the the Keyword Tags panel will look like the image shown below.

Note, the text file format for keyword import/export is unchanged from LR 1.1x for all subsequent versions, so the CVKC will work just fine with version up to and including version 4.

The full version 3.x of the CVKC contains approximately 11,000 terms organized in a hierarchical structure. For detailed information on how to install the CVKC see the Lightroom support page. The CVKC-FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page covers other specific questions.

Following a suggestion from Eric Scouten's "Organize your Keywords with Category Headers" blog post, you can also download a special version of the CV Keyword Catalog, where all the terms have been moved to one sublevel below their normal position. To request a sample of the CVKC, which contains a portion of two of the more than 20 top level hierarchies available in the full version, simply send email using the address on the Contact page and indicate you'd like the Lightroom CVKC sample.

A few of the more than 30 top level hierarchies can be seen in this screen capture.

Information on how to download your copy of the CVKC will be sent to the email address you have provided, within 24 hours or less after payment is received*. Included in that message will be a URL, along with a username and password. Please store this information in a way that you can find later as you will need it to retrieve updates.

*Please note that we send your subscription information to the email address on file with PayPal. Please note that if you choose the PayPal "eCheck Payment"this option may require up to four business days for funds to clear your account. If you wish to avoid this type of delay, make sure your PayPal account is tied to a credit card, or email in advance for alternate arrangements.

**The use of the Controlled Vocabulary Keyword Catalog is subject to the following terms and conditions.