How to duplicate a Lightroom Book so that I can create 2 different versions?

[JulianMuscott]

Lightroom Version

12.2.1

Operating System

1. Windows 10

I am using Lr Classic, latest version, and I do see that I can create a duplicate of my book in the filter collection, but if I duplicate the book and edit the copy (which I renamed), the changes are still made to both the copy and the original. I am obviously missing something?
I am making a Blurb book, and I just want to split a book into 2 halves without having to re-enter half of the data all over again.
Thanks for any ideas.. Julian

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Duplicate should create a separate copy, but any edits to the photos would obviously apply to both. What kind of changes are you making that are getting applied to both?

 

[JulianMuscott]

Hi Victoria! I am a bit surprised by the results which I got but I think now that it might be to do with the Collection folder rules? I made a collection of photos and made these into a Blurb book, but then I needed to split the book into 2 halves/stories. I duplicated the collection and hoped that all my book features would be preserved in both versions. It looked to have worked but when I edited one, the same changes were made in the other book/collection.
I have solved this the long way by making the collection into a smart collection, x2. Each of these are independent of each other (which I would have expected from the start).
Book module is still a bit "different" to get ones head around, but much better than it was!
Thanks, Julian

 

[Rob_Cullen]

Julian, You MUST be working with a SAVED BOOK COLLECTION- one with an icon that looks like a small book.
Do not use standard Collections, or Smart Collections.

So your first book may contain photos A>Z, AND you have created a Saved Book Collection.
Now you duplicate the Saved Book Collection [Right-Click] > [Duplicate Book]

Now in the original you Delete pages N>Z
In the Duplicate you Delete pages A>M
Then you can also Rename the Saved Books in the Collections panel.

If wanted you can also view the Saved Book Collection photos in Grid View [G] and remove unwanted photos from each Collection so it represents only the photos in that specific book.

 

[JulianMuscott]

Hi Rob, many thanks for your helpful answer. It is starting to make some sense, but I am finding that the Lr application is a bit "different" when it comes to book making. My Smart Collections are now showing the book icon so I guess that they are set up, but then the page details I worked on are lost...
I think that where I have been going wrong is that I have not been Creating the Book as the first action. Now when I save the book, it reverts to default page contents, rather than my selected text and orders. However... upload to Blurb still works with my Smart Collection data.

 

[Rob_Cullen]

Julian, Some hints- A Smart Collection does not record or save your book editing work! You can use it to START a book from the Module Menu, but you must click the tab [Create a Saved Book] ASAP.

Only a Saved Book Collection will store your layout and book design.
You can ignore (and delete) any Standard or Smart Collections once you have created that Saved Book Collection.
Once you have that Saved Book Collection you must ALWAYS re-open the book by a [Double-Click] on the Book name, or [One-Click] on the small arrow at the end of the Book name.

My Smart Collections are now showing the book icon so I guess that they are set up,

Yes, but it is no longer a Smart Collection! You can add (or remove) photos from this Book Collection by Drag&Drop in a Grid view of the Book Collection.

 

[JulianMuscott]

Many thanks Rob, those tips are helpful. I am still learning about the Collections capabilities (and oddities). What throws me is that there is no save command for the book, only Send Book to Blurb... or else I could not find the "save as" command.

 

[Rob_Cullen]

Been away- so a late reply!
Correct, there is no 'Save' command. There does not need to be!
When you work from a Saved Book Collection (and ALWAYS re-open a book from the Saved Book Collection), your edits to the book are dynamically (if that's the word?) 'saved' as you edit. Your Saved Book Collection will always be in the state you last left it at. (ie. 'Saved').
Backing up your Catalog is, in effect, 'Saving' your book!
Or you can export a PDF of your book, as it appears in its current appearance, at any time.

 

[JulianMuscott]

Hi Rob, Thanks for the further answers. I think that I have it sorted now (especially as I learned the hard way that the text no-go marker is mid grey and does not show up when using a mid grey page background.. Anyway, sorted out now. Thanks.

 

[Rob_Cullen]

Being curious I investigated your "no-go marker". I presume you mean the text 'overflow' warning marker on a Text cell in a book.
My 'overflow' marker is always a shade of orange, and visible on any background (if a little difficult to see on some page grey.)
I think the function of the marker could be improved as it does not indicate/show when the text cell is selected, but only appears when I click away from the cell. I do not know if that is a 'bug' or 'by design' in the book module.

 

[JulianMuscott]

Thanks Rob. Book module is like a work in progress, with a slow improvement being added, but still a bit quirky (so it seems to me).
Actually they are called Text Safe Area guidelines, and show where text will likely not be rendered as visible due to the printing process. In my case they are mid grey and completely invisible when using a mid grey backgound. I sent a book design off to Blurb, and only when I paid for and got back the pdf version could I see that some text was partially missing. (Lr book module used to be able to generate a -free- pdf but this seems to be only a simple one without full book layout such as the covers).
Anyway, my finished books are due to arrive for proofing today...

 

[Rob_Cullen]

Lr book module used to be able to generate a -free- pdf but this seems to be only a simple one without full book layout such as the covers

There are still two ways to create a PDF of your Book design, but there are limitations-
1) The COVER is exported as a PDF file separate to the internal pages. (Combine later with app, or Design Page#1 as a 'Cover')
2) Two Page Spreads- appear as separate pages in a PDF (To be expected as pages are printed 'singly'.)

[Export Book to PDF]

Or in the Book Settings- Set Book: to PDF where you can specify quality, PPI, etc. You might use this Setting if you intend to send a PDF to a printer other than Blurb.
[Book Settings]

 

[JulianMuscott]

Hi Rob. Thanks a lot for that explanation on the pdf's. That all makes sense and I shall use method 2 for my next book instead of "purchasing" a pdf. Aside from that, I am very happy with Blurb's quality, and they give great support.
Julian