Export with random sequence name

[Jim Leask]

Lightroom Version Number

Lightroom Classic version: 11.4

Operating System

1. macOS 12 Monterey

I'm exporting a set of photos to be loaded onto a USB then shown on a projector. I don't want to have the computer connected. However, I'd like the images to be in a random order, not just the actual file name or date order. The projector will only display images on the USB stick by "Name order" or "Date order".

Can I randomize the collection of images before exporting, or alternatively generate a random sequence number when I rename the images on export?

Jim

 

[GregJ]

How many images are we talking about? Open them in the Library Module and order them however you want. There are many ways to do that, but you can just move them around the grid however you want. Then name the files 1 through whatever. Then export to the USB stick at any size you want or is best for that media.

 

[Replytoken]

You may want to see if Bulk Rename Utility has a randomizing function. It has pretty much everything else.
https://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/

Good luck,

--Ken

 

[GregJ]

Also Jim, you can get any number of slideshow apps or programs for your output that will display the images you choose to show in a random order.
By the way, you don't have to reexport your files from LR to do this. Do you have Bridge? You probably do. You can randomize them there in any order you want and rename the files in order or leave them as they are and build a slideshow any way you want.

 

[John R Ellis]

Yet another option is to use the Capture Monkey Shuffles plugin, which will create a collection with the selected photos in random order. You can then export from that random collection with a file renaming preset that assigns sequential numbers to the exported file names.

 

[Califdan]

In export dialog, use the file rename feature to have the file name start with the "seconds" field from capture date. This will provide a 2 digit number which will be pretty random for your purpose. Then your SW that sorts by file name will result in a more or less random ordering.

 

[GregJ]

In export dialog, use the file rename feature to have the file name start with the "seconds" field from capture date. This will provide a 2 digit number which will be pretty random for your purpose. Then your SW that sorts by file name will result in a more or less random ordering.

Brilliant use of LR nuances!

 

[Jim Leask]

HA! Some good suggestions above. I will further investigate using Bridge and the other apps mentioned. I do like the "hack" of renaming starting with seconds