Renaming versions of images

[Hiace_Drifter]

Hi,

During my workflow I end up with various versions of an image: original RAW file, PSD which is retouched in CS3, colour and mono, then a CS3 sharpened version of the latter two. So in all I could easily end up with 6 versions of one image. At the moment they are very hard to tell apart, for example I have IMG_'''1.RAW, then IMG_'''1.PSD, IMG_'''1-edit.psd, IMG_'''1-edit-edit2.psd, etc. These aren't names that I am choosing, they are the ones you get when you edit copy in CS3.

So... is there an easier way that I could apply names such as IMG_'''1-retouched.psd, IMG_'''1-sharpened.psd, etc - so that I can quickly identify different versions of images? I know I can rename in Library module but it is very laborious.

Thanks

Neil

 

[Brad Snyder]

What's the end use workflow of those images look like? Do you need to interact with them with Finder, etc.?

Personally, I'd be using LR's DAM capabilities to segregate the different derivatives, and let the file names go where they will. Hang color labels or keywords on the different treatments. Then instead of messing around in Finder trying to identify the 'Imagexxx-sharpened - grayscale - second edit - cropped.tif', just export them ('original' is quick) to a staging folder when needed. Print, upload, email, whatever, and delete.

 

[Denis Pagé]

Another option is to add CS3 as an external editor more than once. At the bottom of the configuration panel, there is a place to edit the word "edit" which is appended by default. You can also rename those instance of CS3 like "CS3 for Grayscale" changing the word "edit" for "Gray" for example. Then you go with "Edit with" and choose "CS3 for Grayscale" and once back into Lightroom, it will be named "OriginalFileName-Gray"...

But just I notice you are on version 1.4 and the number of external editors is limited there. This is not the case with version 2.' so this answer may give some ideas to others...

 

[Hiace_Drifter]

I like Denis' idea - that sounds lik it might be what I need. I'm also thinking I could use keywords - i.e. add keyword "sharpened" to the files that have gone into unsharp mask.

Brad - my aim is to have a non destructive workflow, because my photos go to clients (childrens' portraits) who may well ask for various configurations/colours/sizes. So as much as possible I need to go back to the RAW file, or the retouched PSD file, or the mono converted file (pre sharpening) etc. That way I can go back a few steps in the workflow and change the crop/tint/output format etc.

 

[jimburgess]

You could also use the Copy Name field to categorize each type of photo, and later search for them using the Find panel.