Maintaining History

[MSA]

I recently changed the directory structure of my image partition by creating a 2''8 folder and placing all the (dated) folders I imported into LR during the year.

I moved the folders using explorer (in Vista), then I added the 2''8 folder (and 2''9) from within LR. Everything is fine other than the fact that I have lost the history of the images I've moved. The metadata, apparently, was written to the file when it was moved.

All the xmp files were in the same folders and were moved with their respective cr2 files.

So, 3 questions:

1) Other than, say move the files back to their original location, then restore my catalog backup, is there anyway to recover the history?
(would this even work?)

2) Providing that I can regain my history (and for future reference), is there anyway to accomplish the move while retaining the history?

3) (EDIT): If I am not able to restore the history, will deleting (or renaiming..) the xmp file restore the cr2 file to its original state when imported?


Thanks!

 

[Kiwigeoff]

1. Probably not
2. Move the files in LR not the OS
3. Yes

 

[Victoria Bampton]

1. You could restore your catalog backup, and then relink all of the files which will then be shown as missing. That would work and restore ALL of your data.

 

[MSA]

1. You could restore your catalog backup, and then relink all of the files which will then be shown as missing. That would work and restore ALL of your data.

And indeed it has! Thank you for the information. Since there were about 7''' images involved, a lifesaver!

Given that I had 85 folders, it was quite tedious. I keep my images on one partition and the LR catalog on another. For every folder I wished to locate, I had to navigate to the image folder, which meant 6 clicks per folder (and also scrolling).

For some strange reason, the browse window always opens to H:\Adobe\Photoshop CS3\Adobe Photoshop CS3 , which is the partition and folder that I have (obviously) CS3 installed to. LR is also in the Adobe folder.

Thanks again!

 

[MSA]

1. Probably not
2. Move the files in LR not the OS
3. Yes

Thanks Kiwigeoff. Fortunately, Victoria's information panned out. Next time, I will certainly manage from within LR, although LR could definitely use a little improvement in the 'ease of file management' department.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

That's good MSA. For future reference, you might find it easier to relink if they're in a hierarchy. http://www.lightroomqueen.com/blog/...can-i-change-it-to-show-the-folder-hierarchy/

 

[MSA]

That's good MSA. For future reference, you might find it easier to relink if they're in a hierarchy. http://www.lightroomqueen.com/blog/...can-i-change-it-to-show-the-folder-hierarchy/

Thanks, Victoria. An interesting read. I actually do use folder hierarchy, i.e., LR Imports\ Category Folder (i.e., Scenic, Family, etc.)\Generated Folder Name (Date).

The real problem is that when I set it all up, I neglected to include a Year folder after the Category folder. I'll not forget that again when I add new categories, etc.

Thanks again for your help!