Import Import "Preferences"?

[Minguy]

Lightroom Version Number

13.4

Operating System

1. Windows 11

I import batches of still images (from my DSLR) and videos (from my trailcams) almost every day. Is there a way to configure import options in such a way that I can tell Lightroom (classic) that this import is for example type "A" or type "B" and have the various resulting import options conform to my preferences? Example, I want to save all videos in one folder, with certain tags, etc., and all stills (with various develop settings) in another? This seems like a pretty easy ask, so maybe I'm missing something basic. Thanks.

 

[clee01l]

I import batches of still images (from my DSLR) and videos (from my trailcams) almost every day. Is there a way to configure import options in such a way that I can tell Lightroom (classic) that this import is for example type "A" or type "B" and have the various resulting import options conform to my preferences? Example, I want to save all videos in one folder, with certain tags, etc., and all stills (with various develop settings) in another? This seems like a pretty easy ask, so maybe I'm missing something basic. Thanks.

At the bottom of the import dialog is a dropdown for Import presets. One of the menu items lets you create and save a new import preset.

On opening the import dialog, you just need to select the import preset for your various preferences.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Gnits]

As far as I am aware, it is not possible to select by file type. I would be delighted if someone could advise otherwise.

If your source media has stills only or video only then you have better options.

While you can create an overall preset for the develop settings and metadata preset, I am not sure if you can gave separate destinations for video and stills.

This is an area of Lr that needs a refresh.

 

[Johan Elzenga]

Because your photos and videos come from separate devices, import presets will do great. Create and import preset for photos (your DSLR) and another one for videos (trailcams), then you can have different destinations for photos and videos. All you will have to do now is select the preset that matches the device your are importing from. I use Sony hybrid cameras (cameras that shoot stills and videos) and I can still use this approach. The only drawback is that I have to import photos and videos separately. But because Sony cameras store photos and videos in different folders on the memory card, that is easy to do. And because an import preset can apply a develop preset as well, it also means that you can apply different develop presets for photos and videos.

 

[Minguy]

At the bottom of the import dialog is

Thank you. I guess my mistake was not looking for this option where other import settings live, lol.

 

[Gnits]

The bottom location of the Master Import Preset, in my opinion, is a major GUI design mistake. It should be at the bottom ( or top) of the right hand import panel. Lots and lots of people have no idea that preset option exists.

I was not sure if the target location could form part of the preset… glad that it does.


I do wish Adobe would provide an option, to import / filter any combo of raw, jpg or video.

 

[Minguy]

The bottom location of the Master Import Preset, in my opinion, is a major GUI design mistake. It should be at the bottom ( or top) of the right hand import panel. Lots and lots of people have no idea that preset option exists.

I was not sure if the target location could form part of the preset… glad that it does.


I do wish Adobe would provide an option, to import / filter any combo of raw, jpg or video.

It should be at the bottom ( or top) of the right hand import panel.

I say top because other options such as rename, develop settings, destination, etc., are children of that parameter. I also think that because some of my videos are mp4 and others are avi, sorting imports by filetype might be complicated. But if Lightroom can distinguish still from video it perhaps could be as simple as a yes/no switch.

 

[Gnits]

I agree…. It should be at the top…


Several years ago Adobe revised the feature set and presentation of the Import Module. It was a horrendous error….. badly conceived and implemented. Adobe rolled back to the previous version after the massive negative response.

So…. I suspect there may be many within Adobe afraid of revisiting the import module again.

A pity…. it would only take a few simple tweaks to make a very positive set of improvements.

 

[clee01l]

Several years ago Adobe revised the feature set and presentation of the Import Module. It was a horrendous error

Actually the "new" import module had some nice features. What it lacked (IIRC) were some glaring omissions from the original Import Module.

 

[Gnits]

Agreed. Unbelievably so.

 

[Paul McFarlane]

I do wish Adobe would provide an option, to import / filter any combo of raw, jpg or video.

Totally agree. You can Sort the Import by File Type, then only select the ones of a specific type. Not as good as a simple filter, but a workaround.

 

[Gnits]

I have developed my own mini app. to copy from card to disk. At its simplist, it analyses a media card, provides a summary by date, raw, jpg,video, with rows for different dates.

Default is to copy all, but simple mouse clicks can include any combo of raw jpg or video.

Also option to click on a specific date or range of date.

App has default location for my project folders, where I can target an existing project (defaults to a new project, so I enter the project name).

I have a running totals of progress and all details captured in an excel audit log. Files are auto numbered and renamed to my naming convention.

It validates the source data to check if jpgs exist but have no corresponding raw file in case camera set to jpg only by mistake.

It evolved over time.

But I would prefer if selection by date and filetype was a feature of Lr.


The cases where this is most useful.
1. For a variety of reasons I might not have been able to copy and format the card, so the card holds images for two separate projects. Selection by date allows me select and direct the images to the correct project folder.
2. I am travelling and for speed and convenience just want to injest the jpgs to my travel catalog. I also get a warning if I have jpgs and no corresponding raws.
3. I have returned from travel and just want to injest raw images (and jpgs with no corresponding raw) into my main catalog.

If all your images fit on one or a few Lr import screens then manually selecting the images to import is ok. Once the volume increases then the ability to select by date or filetype are seriously valuable tools.