How to retrieve settings

[Roy Mathers]

I have a problem! I recently lost a lot of RAW files from one of my libraries. Fortunately, I still had them on the CF card, so I re-imported them. The problem is that all the previous settings have gone. I do regular backups of LR and I'd like to know if there is any way I can get the settings back to the pictures. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Roy did you put them in the same folder with the same names as the initial files? If so you should be able to open your last b/u catalog and they will have the LR adjustments. If not ask for plan B.

 

[Roy Mathers]

Thank for the reply Geoff. They are in the same folder but not necessarily with the same file names. What's Plan B - cry?

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Rename them in Bridge is what I did so they matched the names in LR.

 

[Roy Mathers]

When I imported them the second time, they just had the file names (img.''1 etc) but, previously I had named them with specific names. As they have now disappeared, I don't remember what those names were. Does it mean I have to go back to the beginning and do all the adjustments again?

 

[Brad Snyder]

Roy, there's a chance the original file name is stored in the metadata. Make sure the metadata browser panel, lower right in Library, is set to show 'All' metadata, then look to see if an original file name is available.

 

[Roy Mathers]

I've done that Brad, and I can't see any original file name. I think it's regarding them all as new photos and a new import.

 

[Brad Snyder]

Okay, I see.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Have you looked in your backup catalog yet Roy? Are the images in there? If so, that'll decide whether it's worth trying to tie them up again. If they are, it'll give you a clue on the filenames you need too.

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Make copies of the catalogs before you do anything with then as well, just so you can go back!!
Work with some copy files as well with a small test first.
i.e. work slowly and carefully until you have established what will work.

 

[Roy Mathers]

Have you looked in your backup catalog yet Roy? Are the images in there? If so, that'll decide whether it's worth trying to tie them up again. If they are, it'll give you a clue on the filenames you need too.

I've looked in all my backup files Victoria, and they're not there!

 

[Roy Mathers]

Make copies of the catalogs before you do anything with then as well, just so you can go back!!
Work with some copy files as well with a small test first.
i.e. work slowly and carefully until you have established what will work.

Please excuse my ignorance Geoff, but I don't know what you mean by this.

 

[Kiwigeoff]

What I was attempting to get across is that I had a similar problem when I had a problem with a drive and lost all the files that were associated with the catalog and potentially lose days of work.
What I did was:
Make a copy of the catalog and previews to work from. (This had all the ? files)
Then I used the original files (they needed renaming and converting to DNG). I converted them to DNG and renamed them in Bridge so that they matched the files in the catalog.
Then I relinked the catalog to the newly renamed files.

I would try it out with a small sample first ( and with copies of the image files).

 

[Roy Mathers]

Thanks Geoff.