***Problem Solved***ARGHHHHH, Lightroom 2 frustrations!

[Sonny]

I'm trying to make the conversion from Bridge CS3 to Lightroom 2. I really LOVE Bridge, but I'm always open to trying new workflow possibilities. With that being said, let my explain my current process of editing my RAW files.

Bridge CS3 & ACR:
I start by importing my photos using Bridge CS3 Photo Downloader to my desktop for quick and easy access. Next, I go through and rate each of my photos to remove "blurries" and grade the photos I want to keep. Then I go back to apply my presets and crop using Bridge/ACR. After all that, I take one final look at my images and make any adjustments necessary still using Bridge CS3/ACR (exposure, fill light...etc). One everything is to my satisfaction, I move all my files over to my external backup drive.


Lightroom 2:
My process is exactly the same in Lightroom up until the point I move my files over to the external backup drive. After the move, I tell Lightroom where the files are located. Then Lightroom re-imports all the files. After this, I lose all my post processing. All my ratings and applied presets are GONE!


Hope someone can tell me what I am doing wrong.

Thanks,

-Sonny

[gbux61]

I cannot answer your LR issues but I can provide you a link to a good source of information. I think the ebook is available now with the bound version coming soon.

http://www.lightroomqueen.com/

[rwwright]

you could move the files using lightroom, then you wouldnt need to import them again. But I have not noticed losing any of my lightroom changes just by moving the files on disk. (are you storing the changes in an external file rather than in the file itself??? are you copying that file also???)

[RightAngle]

here is how I do it, I'm not sure if this is what you are already doing but it works for me. Just move the files with your (finder or explorer) and then right click on the folder when it tells you the files are missing and re locate them.

This will just change where the catalog information points and you should retain all changes made.

[Sonny]

I just went through my steps again and added some screen shots. (My apologies for the huge pics). Hopefully this will better explain my process.



1. Import photos.




2. Folder is located on the desktop of the C: drive.




3. All my presets and ratings are applied.




4. Right click to find a "move" or "relocate" option.



5. At this point I use Windows Explorer and moved the files to the F: drive (external backup). Then I right-clicked to view my options.



6. I choose "Find Missing Folder".




7. Then I receive this message.




8. As you can see the folder I moved shows up on both drives. The folder in the F: drive shows 0 photos. Right-clicking and choosing Update "Folder Location" does nothing.

[hhscr]

IF you move the folders in LR it will make the changes at the system level and keep the catalog indexed properly. If you make the change at the system level using explorer you lose the catalog index.

So try moving your folders around in LR and I think this will fix your problem.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by hhscr

So try moving your folders around in LR and I think this will fix your problem.

I'd love to know how. Any ideas?

[Sonny]

I tried dragging the folder from the C: drive and dragging into the F: drive. LR would not let me. LR would only let me drop it into one of the two existing folders that were listed in the LR Folders Panel.




I want my folder structure in LR to look exactly like it does in Windows Explorer and Bridge CS3. It contains my 3 main categories. Then subfolders with date and descriptions.






What I am doing now is adding the 3 main folders that reside on my F: drive (one at a time). I believe this will solve my problem.

Thanks for the help.