Book module Is it possible to export a "template"-ized Book in the way I want to: Set # pages, preferred page layouts, text, etc so I can create new versions...

[JeffHamonPhotography]

Lightroom Version Number

13.4

Operating System

1. macOS 14 Sonoma

Hi again to those that have read, and assisted, on my previous post about "exporting all photos used in a book" which led to this much-more-major issue.

Helpful info- what I WANT to do within Lightroom Classic (13.4 Mac):

• Create a final, publication-ready, book (from my year's master catalog)
• Then take that book, strip it of photos, keeping the number of pages, the page layouts/styles (# of photos on a page, where the photo and text cells are, and the styles associated), and export it forward ready as a template for revisiting for an annual publication of that year's photos.
• Assuming I could do this by 'exporting as catalog' to keep things neat and tidy.
  • I've learned that I need to keep the photos in this book layout otherwise cannot Export as Catalog. Then I go about "remove from collection" to get old photos out.

No matter what I've tried to this point, I CANNOT seem to open a new catalog with any kind of book design that made the transition across from "working, finalized book in the main catalog" to "new empty catalog ready to fill with photos" - it just keeps resulting in a stock book with front cover, back cover, and first couple empty pages ready to start.

I CAN create "templates" (duplicates of main book, and get rid of the photos) of this desired book from within this same master catalog. But I would rather not. Reason: I'd rather keep things neat and tidy and have a brand new catalog for this particular book project.

And after backing up last year's project to hard drive and trying to restore it and reopen it, it turns out that, hey surprise, I have a completely fresh book layout with p1 and not (as I'd hoped) the old book I could just throw photos out of and insert this year's.

Perhaps not explaining well enough but if you have any info or questions - happy to start the conversation!

Backstory:

• Yes I have tried looking for the "right arrow" beside the Collection used for my book layout and no attempt at double-clicking the name nor clicking the arrow open anything other than... empty clean book start.
• I've been told "you didn't create a saved book." Yes, I did. In fact, I made three books last year using the same general layout (books for different families).
• Then when I selected all the photos in "Book A" and exported as catalog, it did not retain any kind of book layout information and so this brings us here now.

Thanks
Jeff

 

[JeffHamonPhotography]

This is what I see after working in a confirmed-OK book design.
Yes, with the right-arrow next to the title in the Collection.

Now in the new catalog, the right-arrow is gone away and... blank book layout.

 

[JeffHamonPhotography]

Update 2024-08-04, I have successfully taken one of my books and
Export as Catalog
Then open that catalog and, yes, the Book layout of 51 pages is there, the way it SHOULD BE.

I think perhaps there was some (my guess, only) varying version glitch/hiccup because of the version updates since the original book was created in that 2023 year's master main catalog. Can't verify that.

Here are the steps I used and was able to replicate, in order to end up with:

A catalog containing only this particular book layout so that I can "use it as a template" for this year's version of the book.

1. Go into the ‘ok’ book. (Right Arrow beside collection name or Double-Click collection name)
2. Filmstrip at bottom, Filter USED photos
3. Select all photos - click first one, scroll to end, shift-click last one
4. Select a page in the layout, Select-All pages (I don't think this matters but I did it out of superstition)
5. (Still in Book Module)
6. Export as Catalog; include negative files (and Smart Previews)

It seems to me that you MUST include negative files for the book to successfully show up as a populated full layout.
Then I just went about keeping that as a master reference and Duplicate Book, Rename, and Filmstrip select all photos and right-click Remove From Collection, creating a 0 photo, empty book layout.



Jeff

 

[Rob_Cullen]

The way I create a template is this- Might be easier than exporting!

1) Duplicate a saved book collection. [Right-Click > Duplicate Book]
2) In Grid view of the Book Collection Copy- Select all photos and delete from Collection [Ctrl+A] > [Delete].

The Book 'Copy' is now an empty book with all page layouts preserved.

 

[JeffHamonPhotography]

The way I create a template is this- Might be easier than exporting!

1) Duplicate a saved book collection. [Right-Click > Duplicate Book]
2) In Grid view of the Book Collection Copy- Select all photos and delete from Collection [Ctrl+A] > [Delete].

The Book 'Copy' is now an empty book with all page layouts preserved.

Thanks for that, Rob.
That workflow works, just seems to use "a particular catalog" - I have annual catalogs and for particular projects like this book one, just wanted to set up for future versions as a separate catalog knowing in advance that book design is what I want to work with.

Thanks for the input and assistance, everyone! Consider this case closed.