Unusual Problem importing files in Lightroom 3

I am totally delighted with Lightroom 3 on my new MacPro, BUT I am experiencing a minor but mysterious problem when I download and import files. Here is what happens.
In the right-hand panel, under Destination, I select the folder where I want the downloaded files to appear. An arrow indicates that folder, in most cases a folder for the current year, in whch all my downloaded files appear in sepaerat folders for each day's shoot. I have also clicked the "Into Subfolder" box, and selected to organize the files by date, selecting a certain date format in the second box.
At this point, Lightroom 3 displays a greyed-out Subfolder within my selected destination folder, named in the way I have chosen, presumably showing me where the folder will appear once the import is complete. I then click import and Lightroom imports the photos.
But when I return to the grid view and look to see where that day's Subfolder of newly imported images actually shows up, I get a surprise. It is never in the destination folder I selected and that was marked with that small whit arrow marker. Instead Lightroom has placed it several steps up in my folder hierarchy, actually in the root level where all my image folders and subfolders start from.
But since that is not where I wanted this folder to appear, the first thing I try is to click and hold on the misplaced newly imported subfolder and try to move it to the folder where I had wanted it to appear. But I get a message saying that it is impossible to move because a folder of that name already exists where I wanted to move it. Sure enough, when I look at the folder structure in my Macintosh finder I see that the import is indeed in the correct place, with the new subfolder and files renamed as I specified in the Import dialog. But it doesn't show up that way in Lightroom 3.
I have even discovered a slow workaround to get it to appear where it really, already is. I select the newly imported but misplaced folder of images, and remove it from the catalog. Then I go to the folder in which I wanted it to appear, and click on Synchronize Folder in the Library menu, and then, final, in what is actually a second import, that folder appears, and in the correct spot.
This happens again and again, consistently. I am running SnowLeopard, of course, on a very new MacPro. What on earth can be happening. I find this very strange. Any suggestions or explanations would be greatly appreciated. Is this a known bug, or something just happening to me?
Thank you, Lito

Thanks for your post and sorry you're also experience this two-folders-in-LR but only-one-at-the-Finder-level problem.
It looks like I've finally solved this problem, but I suspect I did so the hard way ... if I even understand where in the process things were fixed. As previously posted, when I tried to "move" one folder in LR into the other, LR got confused and deleted the entire contents of one of them! This was the existing one I had been using. Thousands of photos gone! I searched the hard drive and even used disk recovery software but, no, they had vanished. I luckily retrieved these photos from a backup drive, so that's good, but it makes one nervous to fiddle around with this particular problem.
Anyway, BEFORE I imported the new photos from the back-up drive, I first deleted LR prefs and in the process stumbled upon old LR prefs from LR2 and LR3 Beta. Cleaned them all out -- including LR prefs -- and wondered if that had anything to do with the problem. Then rather than Import>Copy the photos, I worked at the Finder level and copied them into position in the <2010> folder, retaining the month and date folder structure. This is at the Finder level. Then in LR, I used Import>Add and the photos properly were added to the existing <2010> folder (the newer of the two that was still there after the disaster ... the new one that LR is intent on importing into). It all works now.
Hope I've written that so you can follow along. Don't know if that will help you in your situation. If you have questions, please let me know.
Good luck, but don't work without a backup, OK?
Best,
Bradley

Similar Messages

  • Problem moving files in Lightroom 5 UPDATED AGAIN

    Hello,
    I recently changed from LR3 to 5.2 and have a problem I hope someone can help with.
    I have a lot of pictures taken on a trip and have created somenew  folders within the original folder to place them into categories. When I drag files from the main folder into one of the new ones Lightroom creates a new file in the new folder , but also  leaves  one in  the original one. If I then delete the file from the original folder LR deletes it from the new one as well.
    I have checked the preferences and catalog settings and read the instruction PDF but can't find anything to help.
    I should point out that the catalog was created in LR3 and imported into LR5 and has behaved fine in all other respects.
    Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
    Graham
    UPDATE: I've just discovered that it is only that particular original folder that's affected. I am able to move files around into and out of other mother folders OK. Perhaps the folder I'm having thr problem with has been corrupted in some way?
    Message was edited by: Mahargo
    Further Update: If I open Adobe Bridge I can move the files around as I please, so I guess I can use this as a workaround. (Couldn't do that in Windows Explorer as you can't view DNG files there). I'd still be grateful if anyone can shed light on this. I'll investigate further tomorrow and post again if I find an answer.
    Message was twice edited by: Mahargo

    I'm also having an issue with degraded exports. Here is a screencap of the RAW file
    Here's a screen capture of the exported image after I've re-imported it into lightroom. This is a JPG with sRGB and 100% quality. It's resized on export with 3264pixel long edge at 240dpi.
    Here's a screen capture of the same JPG viewed in Windows Photo Viewer, but it looks the same in web browsers too.
    What changed? Why is there so much dark black color running into the photo? It's like a printer is printing too much black. I want to export it so that it looks the same in all other viewers as it does in photoshop.

  • Importing files into Lightroom 4

    I have been using Lightroom 4 without a problem. Suddenly it refuses to import files from any source: my camera, a card reader or the hard disk.
    What can I do?  I have reinstalled the software from the original disk, but it still will not import images.

    What happens when you try to import? Is there an error message? If so, please quote it word-for-word.
    Is this a new computer? Are you using a new camera? Are the photos JPG or RAW? Please give us details.

  • Importing Files into Lightroom 4.1 (Win) Stopped Working

    Okay, I am at my wits end as I am no longer able to import any new files into Lightroom.  I was in the middle of an import and all of a sudden it stopped and the program hung.  I am running Win 7 64 with an i7 with 12 gigs of RAM.   I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling Lightroom multiple times (Using both the windows installer and via Lightroom and then searched to see if there were any orpne files on my drive.  ) , did a system restore to a point about a month ago, tried importing a simple jpeg file from the hard drive as well as CR2 files (Canon) and even DNG files.  Also tried setting up a new catalogue with no success.  Plenty of hard drive space and no drive errors. .  There is nothing wrong with the files as I can open them in Photoshop.  I can see the files on the import screen though they are not always rendered.  When I choose import it just starts, says Importing files... and hangs.  When I finally give up, and I have waited an hour or more, and kill the process I get the message - No photos or videos were found to import.       Other tidbits.   Takes a long time to be able to select files to import from the import screen.  System seems to run for some time before I can select or deselect (If this were a Mac it would show a beach ball during this wait)   Each time I quit or try to change catalogues it asks for the weekly backup (my default) even though I backed it up sometimes as recently as within the past 10 minutes and those backups appear to be valid and in the directory.   Every other feature, including Export seems to work I just can no longer import files.  I am open to any and all suggestions    I am not a LR novice and pretty knowedgable about the Win operating system.   

    Thanks, but that did not help.  HOWEVER, after an hour on the phone with support this morning I, meaning we, have resolved the problem.  It appears to be a problem with my WIndows 7 User Account.  I created a new  Administrator User Account and everything works fine.  Now I am going to troubleshoot my original user account to see if I can repair it or,  (A) Use this new account for Lightroom and Photoshop or (B) move all my preferences to this new user account.  Things were so much easier in the C: Prompt/Registry  world  but, of course, that was when I still had a darkroom and not a Lightroom. 

  • Problems importing files.

    Hi all,
    I'm having problems with my lightroom cc when importing files from my desktop.
    First, the lightroom is not generating thumbnails from those files (which I edited the metadata using the Bridge), than, when I try to import them, the software stops responding and get stuck as "importing files".
    Check the images of my screen attached. I don't know what to do anymore.
    Anyone?!!?

    It is happening when importing any files from any of my HDs, some problem. doesn't generate thumbnails, and get stuck....

  • Problems importing video into Lightroom 5.3

    I am using LR 5.3 on a Macbook running Mavericks.  Since upgrading from Lightroom 4 I have had trouble importing videos into Lightroom. 
    The generic video thumbnail appears, but the import hangs and never completes.  When cancelling the import the error message is shown "No photos or video were found to import."
    After reading on various forums I have tried:
    restarting computer (many times)
    uninstalling previous version of LR
    purging video cache
    changing source location
    changing destination and/or import type
    reinstalling LR5.3
    I have also noted that old videos already in the catalogue that played fine in LR4 won't play back in LR5.3.  They play fine in Quicktime.
    Has anyone else solved this problem?

    Hi InVisionMedia
    I found a Simular Poste regarding this topic: http://forums.adobe.com/message/5397854
    So going over it might enlighting you on the issue. Also i would suggest to start with the Basic Troubleshoot for Playback issues on Lightroom: http://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/kb/troubleshoot-video-issues-lightroom-4.html
    If you have Lightroom 4 still installed, Also make sure that you can still use the footage in the original L4 catalog.
    See if the files still work fine in the "old" version.
    Hopefully it will help you to fix the issue.

  • Problem importing files into Elements 9

    Apparently Photoshop Elements 9 dropped the ability to import files from the computer in the order they are on the computer.  The only option is "date oldest" and "date newest".  This is a problem if you are combining pictures from multiple cameras with some cameras having improperly set dates.  We order tthe pictures by file name, only to have them scrambled by Elements 9 prior to uploading to Kodak.  My old version  (Elements 4) had this third option "file order" that apparently was dropped along the way. Does anyone know of "a work around."    BTW - going to Kodak and "pulling the files using their system doesn't work because it fails to bring the label along with the upload.

    Hello,
      A lot has changed between Photoshop Elements 4 and 9. While "File Order" was dropped from the sort list of the Organizer Thumbnail View, it is the order method used by both the Import Batch and Folder Location Views. You can change Views by going to the Display button in the top right:

  • Problems importing files or folders into my itunes library

    When I try to import files, mp3, wav etc, from my hard drive into my itunes library they seem to be automatically being deleted from my hard drive. I can play them in windows media player but they disappear into the ether if I want them on my Ipod. Any Ideas?

    bump

  • I am having problems importing files into final cut pro x

    I have tried several time importing files into final cut pro x but it keep say file not writable what should i do?

    WWhat exactly are you importing? From where? What version of the software are you using? Where are you trying to import the media to?

  • Problems Importing Files Into Dreamweaver

    I have previously imported files in Dreamweaver by dragging them from my desktop & dropping them into my websites local files.  Suddenly today, I can't get any files to import into Dreamweaver.  I am using Dreamweaver 13.2 on a Mac with OS 10.9.2.

    Nothing.  I drag the files from my desktop to the target folder in Dreamweaver, and nothing happens.  I have tried shutting everything down & bringing it all back up, and I have also tried re-saving the file to the desktop.  I was putting an html file into Dreamweaver when I noticed it wasn't working, so I tried a Word doc & PDF, all with same results.  Out of desperation, I just tried re-synching my website, but (as I expected), nothing changed. 

  • Problem viewing files in Lightroom 2.6

    Am using OS Windows 7, 64 bit. Have inages stored on an external USB hard Drive (320 GB Toshiba) and use an 8 GB thumb drive for administrative files. With both devices plugged in I open Lightroom and see the following:
    Catalog>All Photographs: 21,526
    Folders>Home (L:) [thumb]: 19,433 photos
              >Aggie (O:) [Toshiba]:  2,093 photos
    Indicator light to left of "Home" is orange.
    Indicator light to left of "Aggie" is Black or Green.
    Problem One:  The desktop seems to find "Aggie" and then lose her - cycling "On" an "Off" so to speak and for no apparent reason. The drive is not being moved, cables jiggled or anything discernable. This cycling might happen every minute or so. This does not appear to be a function of the drive because I can work in the directory in Explore and drag and drop files, e.g., without any difficulty. So, the question here is -- is this a problem within Lightroom or even in the OS.
    Problem Two:  The 19,433 photos that Lightroom indicates as being in the "Home" folder simply are not there! They are, in fact, on "Aggie". I prove this by doing a *.DNG search in the "Home" directory which comes up empty. The 2,093 photos which do show up in "Aggie" where they belong are recent imports -- possibly since upgrading to Windows 7.
    Questions:
        1.   Does anyone have a clue why the hard drive might be dropping out and/or cycling?
         2.  How is it possible that files which are clearly on one drive will show up in Lightroom as being on another drive?
         3.  Why is it that when the indicator light on "Aggie" is Green the folders on that drive still have a "?" beside them?    

    Maybe I am misunderstanding your terminology, but are you saying you have 19,433 photos on a 8GB drive?
    If any folder is showing a ?, then right click on it and locate the folder on the drive.

  • Problem importing pictures into lightroom 5.4 on a Mac.

    I have lighroom 5.4 on a Mac and I am having some trouble importing pictures into my library on lightroom. The other day I was trying to import some from another folder in my computer and the files were showing up empty (although they were not). And today I was trying to import from an SD card and I was having the same problem. I shoot in raw on a Nikon. So what can I do to fix this problem?
    This is what it looks like when I try to import

    Ask in the LR forum and provide exact technical info - "I shot raw on Nikon" and "on a Mac" is not.
    Mylenium

  • Problem importing images into Lightroom 5.6

    I use an iMac 10.9.5. I've been importing CR2 files converting to DNG into Lightroom 5.6 with no problems.
    Suddenly, files are taking an age to import and Lightroom hangs without loading all the files. I have to force quit Lightroom and then my computer hangs and won't shut down. I close by holding the button down on the back of the iMac. Then Lightroom fails to open. After many attempts I've managed to start Lighroom again but I still have the same problem loading the files. I have tried deleting the com.adobe.Lightroom5.plist file in the Preferences folder, as suggested on this forum but that hasn't cured the problem. I don't know whether this has caused a problem but I used a Transcend multi card reader for the first time this week instead of my usual reader. Perhaps there was some kind of issue with compatibility although there shouldn't have been. Now though, I can't upload from my old card reader properly either.
    Any ideas?

    Thanks for your reply dj..paige. It could have been the new card reader that caused the initial problem but I used more than one card so I don't think the card is the problem. The original reader wouldn't work either.
    Update: Lightroom now seems to be back to normal. I don't know why but it seems to have sorted itself out. Perhaps deleting the com.adobe.Lightroom5.plist file in the Preferences folder had an effect after all, after a few attempts at opening and closing Lightroom.
    I'm sending the Transcend multi card reader back for a refund as I'm sure this started the problem.
    I've wasted two days sorting this - nightmare!

  • Problem locating files in Lightroom 4

    I imported a bunch of cr2s from a pc to a mac osx lion lightroom 4.1.
    In the "show all on Hard Drive" I can find a file, but it says that it is missing or offline.
    Then I use thelocate in finder. I locate the photo, and still lightroom won't recognize and catalog it.
    Help!

    I imported a bunch of cr2s from a pc to a mac osx lion lightroom 4.1.
    I don't understand this ... photos must be on a hard drive attached to your computer (which I assume is a mac), they can't be on a PC

  • Help with importing files into Lightroom 3.2

    Nothing has changed on my Mac for a year, except installing Lightroom 3 two months ago. I have had no issues importing till yesterday. Imported 300 .CR2 files, installed another card into my card reader and it will not import the files from the same camera, same shoot, done same day.
    I have tried to copy the files over to my hard drive and import from there. Failed again.
    I can open the files in Camera RAW and convert them to PSD files on a different drive and they still will not import from there.
    Any suggestions out there/
    I am begging to hate LR3 more and more and more every day.

    Copy the files from your card reader or camera to your Mac then import the files into Lr. You can configure Lr to import where to a new location or leave them were they are.

Maybe you are looking for