DarkTable update from Version 3 to 4 on MacOS

Software
1

I have Darktable 3.8.0 installed on my Mac mini under the latest macOS software. I see that Darktable is now up to version 4. I’m using an Intel chip, not the new Mac chip.

Is there a place where I can upgrade from my current version to the latest? If I need to configure my new program, I don’t know enough to do that. I’m looking for a download that will install on my computer, along side of my old version.

I last worked with Darktable a couple of years ago. I see the old forum has been discontinued. Is it still a good idea for me to want to install and use Darktable?

2

I am not sure what forum you mean and why you don’t see it on the DT website… If you are using the latest OS I think you are good with the latest version of DT

3

depends on your os. The official packages 4.4.2 supports macOS > 11.3 for arm64 and x86_64

If you have at least 10.14 then there’s an unofficial build here macOS 10.14 darktable 4.4.x release build - #3 by MStraeten

4

I don’t know if it’s easy to install them to different locations on MacOS, so you could have them installed side-by-side. However, consider that the configuration files, the database and the XMP files, once touched by darktable v4, will/may no longer work with v3. While it’s possible to have separate configuration and database files (see --configdir, --library and, just for safety, --cachedir at darktable 4.6 user manual - darktable), the XMP files, located right next to the images, are a tough problem.

Other than that, the upgrade is worthwhile: you get new functionality, performance enhancements and support (if you report any problem, most people will only help you if you run a recent version; any bugfix will only be implemented in the next release). darktable is certainly a healthy project, you don’t need to fear losing support. (Just like Todd, I do not know what ‘old forum’ you mention.)