Question: catalogs, moving files

[kvon]

So during my first few months as a LR user I did something out of ignorance that I now wish to un-do. I moved a bunch of files (several hundred) into their own dedicated folder, which is now getting in the way and I'd like to move them back - en masse - to the folders organized by the default scheme (pictures/2''9/'7-15, etc). Problem is that all these photos have adjustments, keywords, etc that I want to preserve, which (I think) suggests that I need to involve a LR catalog in this process, as opposed to re-importing the original image files. Of course when you import image files it gives you the option of where to place them - but can't find how to make that happen when importing from a catalog.

Any insights appreciated!

 

[dj_paige]

[quote author=kvon link=topic=7224.msg492'6#msg492'6 date=124766765']
So during my first few months as a LR user I did something out of ignorance that I now wish to un-do. I moved a bunch of files (several hundred) into their own dedicated folder, which is now getting in the way and I'd like to move them back - en masse - to the folders organized by the default scheme (pictures/2''9/'7-15, etc). Problem is that all these photos have adjustments, keywords, etc that I want to preserve, which (I think) suggests that I need to involve a LR catalog in this process, as opposed to re-importing the original image files. Of course when you import image files it gives you the option of where to place them - but can't find how to make that happen when importing from a catalog.
[/quote]

If you move the files within Lightroom (over on the left in the Folders panel), the metadata, keywords and editing moves with it. Re-importing is almost always a bad idea.

Or you could do like I do, and stop worrying about folders, and find your photos by keywords and metadata, in which case it simply doesn't matter what folder things are in.

 

[Gene McCullagh]

I agree! Let LR worry about where the physical file is. You can use keywords, collections, smart collections, colors, stars, etc to organize the images. Let LR do the "heavy" lifting!

 

[clee01l]

[quote author=dj_paige link=topic=7224.msg49211#msg49211 date=1247669824]
[quote author=kvon link=topic=7224.msg492'6#msg492'6 date=124766765']
So during my first few months as a LR user I did something out of ignorance that I now wish to un-do. I moved a bunch of files (several hundred) into their own dedicated folder, which is now getting in the way and I'd like to move them back - en masse - to the folders organized by the default scheme (pictures/2''9/'7-15, etc). Problem is that all these photos have adjustments, keywords, etc that I want to preserve, which (I think) suggests that I need to involve a LR catalog in this process, as opposed to re-importing the original image files. Of course when you import image files it gives you the option of where to place them - but can't find how to make that happen when importing from a catalog.
[/quote]

If you move the files within Lightroom (over on the left in the Folders panel), the metadata, keywords and editing moves with it. Re-importing is almost always a bad idea.

Or you could do like I do, and stop worrying about folders, and find your photos by keywords and metadata, in which case it simply doesn't matter what folder things are in.
[/quote]But then you are 'anal retentive' like I am you'll want everything tidy. Even though LR doesn't care. you can relocate these files

In the Library module, select the dedicated folder and create a Library metadata filter on Date. Expand this filter to the Day level and select all images for a given date. Drag that group of images to the folder for that date (/Pictures/2''9/'7-15 etc.) and drop.

 

[kvon]

[quote author=clee'1l link=topic=7224.msg49219#msg49219 date=1247675562]
But then you are 'anal retentive' like I am you'll want everything tidy. Even though LR doesn't care. you can relocate these files

In the Library module, select the dedicated folder and create a Library metadata filter on Date. Expand this filter to the Day level and select all images for a given date. Drag that group of images to the folder for that date (/Pictures/2''9/'7-15 etc.) and drop.
[/quote]
Bingo - I'm in the "like things tidy" camp, or "anal retentive", if you prefer It's just so I don't have a list of 37 folders underneath "Pictures" when I open the Folders frame in LR.
This date metadata sort sounds like maybe the best solution - still a little painful because I have to manually create the folders. But better than the alternative... Thanks!

 

[clee01l]

[quote author=kvon link=topic=7224.msg49243#msg49243 date=1247685641]
[quote author=clee'1l link=topic=7224.msg49219#msg49219 date=1247675562]
But then you are 'anal retentive' like I am you'll want everything tidy. Even though LR doesn't care. you can relocate these files

In the Library module, select the dedicated folder and create a Library metadata filter on Date. Expand this filter to the Day level and select all images for a given date. Drag that group of images to the folder for that date (/Pictures/2''9/'7-15 etc.) and drop.
[/quote]
Bingo - I'm in the "like things tidy" camp, or "anal retentive", if you prefer It's just so I don't have a list of 37 folders underneath "Pictures" when I open the Folders frame in LR.
This date metadata sort sounds like maybe the best solution - still a little painful because I have to manually create the folders. But better than the alternative... Thanks!
[/quote]It is not that painful. I had extracted all of my DNGs into a single folder and stored this on my Network drive. Realizing that Lightroom does a better job of tracking and keeping up with the originals and keeping them together to apply keywords. I decided to move them and their JPEGS into folders organised as you mentioned.

Create the folder structure in Lightroom and it will go smoothly.