moving folders to a different HD

[brian]

I currently have the folders I've imported into lr on 3 separate hard drives. I am trying to consolidate things and have purchased a 5''GB HD which will be big enough for me to put the 3 separate ones onto this one. Is there a way for me to do this? Is it a folder by folder scenerio? As I have five years worth of work and that would take awhile.

thanks!! brian

 

[RipIt]

Brian,

on the new 5''GB drive, create a folder with just one image in it. Catalog that image. You can discard this image now that Lightroom is aware of the folder on the drive.

Now, with one or more of the other drives connected, drag the folder(s) relevant to that drive within LR into the new folder on the 5''GB drive.
You can only move one folder at a time but you do not have to wait for the folders to finish moving before selecting the next one.
IE. Click Drag Click Drag Click Drag Click Drag - in rapid succession will work.
The result, is that LR now knows where the images live on the new drive because IT moved them.

The time taken literally depends on the speed of your system copying (moving) files from one drive to another.

An alternative method:

If you have all the drives attached at the same time then select All Photographs and make sure all thumbnails are actually selected. From the File menu select Export as catalog.
Then make sure you check the box that enables Export negative files.
Save this catalog onto the new drive. All the images are COPIED as opposed to moved along with the new catalog.

 

[brian]

thanks dave!

 

[Rob Sylvan]

Might be too late, but another alternative, from Grid view:

- go to Library > New Folder
- navigate to the external drive and create a new folder (or select an existing one)

That folder will appear in the Folders panel. Drag folders/images into it.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Oooooh, I like that one Rob! I'd never thought of doing that! :roll:

 

[John Ashton]

Thank you

Rob

Many thanks for the tip. Great help.

Regards,