Export DNG folder empty

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chriscor

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Hi,

I've just upgraded to Lightroom 2.1. I'm on a Intel Imac using Mac OS 1'.5.5

I'm importing raw files into Lightroom. In lightroom I'm adding meta data, keywords and renaming the files. I've also been saving a copy of the files as DNG. This worked fine in Lightroom version 1 but recently when I export the files and save them as DNGs the folder that it saves to is empty.
My work flow is - import raw files. Rename, add keywords. Original files are updated in their original location. Select all of the files I'm working on. Press the export button. Export to a specific folder, put in a sub-folder. Format is DNG. After I press export the progress bar pops up and withing two seconds it's processed 9' images. A new DNG folder has been created but it's empty when I open it.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
 
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Welcome Chris, you may want to put your system info etc in your signature accessed through the userCP top left of the page. It saves confusion and silly questions.
Sorry I am very tired and just off to bed but rest assured someone with an answer will be right along.
All the best.........
 
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Hi Chris, welcome to the forum!

So no error message?

Initial thoughts....

How much space free on the hard drive?
Do you have write permission for the folder?
Are the originals in the right place (i.e. are there question marks on the files?)
What happens if you export to another folder?
What happens if you export to a different format? What happens if you export to 'original' format?
 
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Hi Victoria,

Thanks for the response. I think I've figured out what's wrong. Why it's occurring or how to fix it I don't know. I've only been using Lightroom (1 & 2) about a month so my knowledge is extremely limited.

Here's what I'm doing - I have a large number of RAW files that haven't been processed. They've been downloaded from flash cards onto an external hard dive. The folder from the CF card has been renamed but nothing else has been done to the files. I'm loading them into lightroom to rename the folder, files, add metadata and convert and save a DNG copy in a separate sub folder.

This is my work flow -
Using Lightroom, select folder/files that I want to import into Lightroom.
When the Import Photo window opens metadata is added and a few keywords. The files are then imported into Lightroom. I select all and rename and number the files. I can watch as the files on the external drive update. Then, in the finder, I rename the folder so it matches the file name. I then export the files as DNG's saving them within a sub folder in the same file. In the export window, I export to a specific folder, choosing the hard drive and folder that the new folder of DNGs should be placed. I then export the files. The progress bar shows the files being exported. This process takes about one to two seconds. A folder labeled DNG appears in the correct folder but it is empty.

If, after renaming the files, I re-import the same files (newly renamed and numbered) , into Lightroom, I don't have this problem. The files export showing up as DNG's.

What am I doing wrong? It seems to me that once I rename the files I'm no longer working with the real file but only alias'.
This was my workflow using Lightroom 1.3 and I never had a problem doing it this way until I switched to Lightroom 2.
 
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Ok, just off to bed, but a question for you.... if you're going to end up converting to DNG, is there any particular reason why you don't do so in the Import dialog?
 
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Hi Victoria,

I'd like both the RAW and DNG files to have the same information (name, number,keywords, ranking, ets...).
 
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Ok, fair enough. I'm not sure I quite understand your reasoning, but hey! :D

I've just tried it, and 2.x should still export that to DNG.

I was reading back through your steps... try replacing the "in the finder, I rename the folder so it matches the file name" with "in the Folders panel I rename the file" within LR.

I think what's happening is LR is loosing track of the files - there are little question marks in the corner, right?

It should be throwing an error telling you it can't find the files, so I would put in a bug report about that, but you should be all set.
 
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Thanks for all the help. I think what I was doing was renaming and moving the folders in the finder window instead of lightroom, causing lightroom to loose track of the folder and files I was working on. Renaming the folders from the folder panel in lightroom has solved the problem.
Victoria and Mark, you both mention renaming the files and folder on import. How do I do this? I've read the Adobe instructions and they also mention that this can be done. I can't figure out how to do this. I'm attaching a screen capture of the Import Photo window. Where would I change the file/folder name?

Thanks,

Chris
 
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Check here:http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Lightroom/2.'/WSEBFDC1BF-1D'A-46c4-A453-C29279EB'78C.html
This page can be accessed from the "Help" menu in LR.

Naming is fairly easy once you get the hang of it. Adding photos without moving as you have selected in your screen shot is the only option that doesn't allow renaming on import. Look at the other options, however in the library module you can rename after files have been imported. The folder name won't be changed with your choice either - you would need to change it in the finder prior to selecting it with LR or change the name in LR after the import.
 
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Thanks to everyone here I think I finally have a handle on this.

Here's what I'm trying to accomplish -

Import RAW files from external hard drive into Lightroom. The folders and files need to be renamed. I'd like to have a copy of the raw files saved on the disk that has my lightroom catalog. I also need a copy of the raw files for my archive on a separate hard drive. The files will also be converted to DNG's and saved in the archive.

To accomplish this -

Import folder into Lightroom. Choose "copy photos to a new location and add to catalog". Rename folder and files. A copy is placed on the hard drive holding my Lightroom catalog.
In lightroom add keywords to files. Export Raw and DNG copy to my archive. Trash original folder & files.

The step that confused me before was that during import when the folder/files were being renamed my original folder/files retained their original names. Is there a way during import to have these changes applied to the original folder/files? This would save the step of having to export RAWs to my archive.

Thanks Chris
 
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Is there a way during import to have these changes applied to the original folder/files?
Click to expand...


Not within LR presently, I don't believe. You might be able to fake it with the 'backup copy' optionally created during the import.

You might want to take a look at Marc Rochkind's ImageIngester, if you haven't already. It provides many more import-time options for folks with more complex workflow needs.

http://basepath.com/ImageIngester/
 
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