"I didn't tell you to do something, I asked a question. What is it that I suggested that doesn't work?"
I misunderstood your response, yes, I am using collections, as I understand the way PM+ works, collections are nested within the catalogs.
"This I don't understand, what is a 'top level catalog'?"
I call the catalog that contains multiple collections as a 'top-level' catalog.
"So you're using collections and they're the only way you can view your images?"
I realise there are various ways to view my collections using search/browse/filter but I want to see my collection using the named collection eg. 'clouds' or 'deer' without resorting to the other functions i.e. from the collection name.
"What are these figures?"
a figure appeared in brackets alongside the catalogue name - I mistook this for and image count when it appears it's a selected collection number.
"If you're only using the Collections feature, then having separate catalogs won't be a solution for your shared computer environment."
Please explain why it won't be, bearing in mind I want a catalog of say 'Transport' images broken down to collections of say 'Flight', Waterborne', 'Rail' etc.
"In what aspect doesn't it work across a network? It's capable of working with your images on a network."
I can see the 'Navigator' images from the NAS okay on both Macs. It's the Catalogs/Collections side that I have been advised not to use on the NAS as the number of read/write operations can be too much for the connections. This is the reason for using the workflow stated and leads to the original problem of reintegration (this also used to happen when I worked from NAS only).
I've attached a screenshot of my catalog system which may (or may not) help you.