Importing into LR4

Hello, I have downloaded the LR4 trial. I'm not sure yet if it's the best way, but I have existing photo folders on the hard drive, so decided to import from there into LR4 using the 'add' methos, then convert to DNG afterwards. I wanted to keep the same file structure, and have the photo's just 'referenced' by LR4
In Martin Evening's book it states: 'The add option is the one I suggest you use mostly here. With an "add" option you are telling Lightroom to "reference" the files where they are located on the computer.'
When I saw the 'reference' word I thought that LR4 would not 'take over' my folder system. But after importing one folder, I realise that although I can view the folders I haven't yet imported into LR4 with the Nikon View NX software I have been using with Capture NX2, View NX will now not read the one folder that I have imported into LR4.
This suggests to me that LR4 has indeed taken over my file structure - can anyobe suggest what I should have done (I would like to keep my existing structure and open files from it in LR4 AND any other program I wish). Also, after I have imported all folders from my hard drive, it might be worth then importing direct from card. Can anyone give me the basic pointers to doing this and keep the same 'referenced file' structure.
I'm a bit of a novice, and although I'm sure Martin Evening's book is very good for experienced people, I find that it just doesn't make things easy to understand for those like myself - I have order Scott Kelby's book and hope that is easier for me
Thank you

Roy,
You're on the right track. When you import into LR using Add, all it does is put pointers to the imported files in its database. Absolutely nothing happens to the files on disk. They are still in their original folder, available to any other program that is able to open them. (Although if you're using LR to its full potential, you probably won't need to access any of your images directly.)
I don't know what your problem is with View NX. What is it telling you?
Ahh...Richard probably has it right. If you converted to DNG, of course your Nikon software won't be able to deal with the images.
Hal
Message was edited by: Hal P Anderson

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