Migrating from Bridge to Lightroom, keeping ratings?

I am more and more convinced to exclusively use Lightroom and wish to import folders that was tagged with Bridge into LR catalogs.
Many photos are rated using Bridge and I wish to keep those ratings when importing them into LR.
Any capability of doing that?
Thanks

Go ahead and give it a try. Unless you tell Lightroom specifically to move the photos, they will simply be imported into the Lightroom catalog/database but remain unchanged otherwise. Some people seem to think that Lightroom somehow "absorbs" their images, thus making them unavailable anywhere else. That simply isn't true. The images should still be in the same place after the Lightroom import. If you go to Bridge you should find them in the same place with the same ratings as before.

Similar Messages

Adapting workflow from Bridge to Lightroom

Migrating from Bridge to Lightroom and looking for suggestions on organizing RAWs/jpgs to optimize transition? My files are a mess with many duplicates as well as jpgs and RAWs in the same folders. Thanks!

The best advice I can give you is that Lightroom is different than Bridge. If you followed a sequence of steps in Bridge, do NOT insist on following the same sequence of steps in Lightroom. Lightroom offers you many paths to get to the end result, and often these paths are simpler and more powerful than getting to the same result in Bridge.
looking for suggestions on organizing RAWs/jpgs to optimize transition?
In my opinion, this is extremely simple. Your RAWs and JPGs should stay exactly where they are now. Do not move them even one millimeter, or to another folder. Import into Lightroom using the ADD option.
My files are a mess with many duplicates as well as jpgs and RAWs in the same folders.
Lightroom should be able to weed out the duplicates (if they are true duplicates).
JPGs and RAWs in the same folder????? This is HORRIBLE, I tell you, HORRIBLE. You should be shot!!!!! (This is sarcasm, of course) Leave them alone. Don't worry about it. Lightroom doesn't care. You can achieve organization even if you leave things the way they are now. Everything works fine the way I do it, which is JPGs and RAWs and TIFs and maybe even a PSD and a video in the same folder.
Use Lightroom tools from now on to organize and search. These tools are keywords, captions and other metadata. Put your energy into using these Lightroom tools, and not a single drop of energy into re-arranging and re-organizing your folders. The Lightroom tools are specifically designed for photos, and result in a much more powerful organization than anything you could develop by re-organizing your folders. Folders are no longer an organizing tool, they are simply the place where your photos are stored.

Moving from Bridge to Lightroom, when adding existing files on hard drive, will metadata transfer? Should I choose embed sidecar in file handling or will it automatically happen if I choose standard?

Moving from Bridge to Lightroom. Will metadata in existing files be recognized by Lightroom, and should I select embed+sidecar when adding files to library for the first time.

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback.
CHRIS - you are exactly right about my FUTURE workflow. What I'm trying to figure out now is how to best handle images already processed. My import should be OK based on the way I have duplicates in separate directories, BUT I'm wondering how to avoid seeing all of these duplicates in LR when I search by keyword, etc.? I guess I can somehow flag the RAW files and only get them in my results.
One question though - Stacks, etc. sounds great for the LR processed images. But what about variations based on processing in Photoshop after the LR Develop stage? I guess in this case I will just have to keep duplicate images if I have multiple versions from my PS work?
ISAAC - Thanks for clarifying that LR will recognize my XMP files from Bridge. What about the opposite direction . . . if I edit something in LR and capture this via XMP, it won't prohibit Bridge from recognizing XMP info if I access a file via Bridge, will it?
ALSO - Do you know where I can find info about tracking via XMP vs. the central database? You mentioned a couple of valid points, but I'm not sure I have a full handle on the pros/cons of these options.
Thanks!
Mark

Migrating from Bridge CS6 to CC

Hi, is there a way to migrate labels, keywords and collections to Bridge CC? It is impossible to do this to 30,000+ images.

Thanks for the information, being that it seems a not-so-straightforward procedure, do you know if there is a detailed description (for Mac users) to accomplish the migration? It amazes me that my original posting Migrating from Bridge CS6 to Bridge CC did not return any information. Am I missing something here? I am not even sure what you mean by 'unhide them in explorer' I use chrome and safari. Are you referring to unhiding the System Library?
Thanks again.

Is a way to send photos from bridge to lightroom ?

hi
is there a way to send photos from bridge to lightroom?
i know only to drag and drop
but is there a script or other ways to send photos to my lightroom catalog
w7 64bit
thanks

i know only to drag and drop
Which to my knowledge is the fastest way because you already have selected the files or folder anyway. Since Bridge is a browser showing the content of your disks and Lightroom puts files (often in different versions) in a library you can't combine both to a suitable workflow, at least that is my opinion.
However if you want them in LR the best way I would know is to use the import option in LR itself.

Transitioning from Bridge to Lightroom

I have been using Bridge and Photoshop for years, but yesterday installed Lightroom through CC. I would like to maintain my existing naming convention and file structure for my images. Does this involve anything other than importing my existing files into the Lightroom catalog? Thereafter, can I continue to import images from my memory card into my existing file structure with them appearing both in Lightroom and Bridge correctly named and filed? Does it matter whether I use Bridge or Lightroom to import my images from a memory card? Thanks.

Anything you do in Bridge before the photos are imported into LR will be read by Lightroom and used properly.
Then, after importing a photo into Lightroom, you go back into Bridge and perform an edit on this same photo, and Lightroom doesn't know about it. The situation is easy to rectify, by again, why are we talking about using both programs? You are only setting up the opportunity for confusion and extra work, and the probability that your edits and metadata will be out of sync, where one program has one set of edits and the other program has a different set of edits!
As far as the disadvantages to automatically writing to xmp, I would say they are minor, but others disagree and I'd probably want to let those individuals speak for themselves. In the Lightroom forum (not the Lightroom for Beginners forum), Rob Cole has spoken many times about why he doesn't like this option. You should probably search for his comments.

Importing stacks from Bridge to Lightroom

Hi all. I am looking to convert and import my photos from Adobe Bridge to Lightroom. In doing so however I haven't been able to maintain the stacks that I've created in Bridge (i.e. have the stacks show in Lightroom). Is this simply not possible? Can I get Lightroom to import the Bridge catalogue information some how?

There's really no benefit to using two different photo management programs, Bridge and Lightroom. Furthermore, if you are using Lightroom, you ought NOT to be moving or rating or managing your photos in Bridge in any way. Lightroom is not a file browser, it does not know when you move photos in another program.
You assign stars in Lightroom; you manage/organize photos in Lightroom preferably by assigning keywords and other metadata, but if you absolutely must move them to a different folder (which I don't recommend), you do that in Lightroom too. Specifically in this case, the Filter Bar in Lightroom allows you to find any photos with a specified number of stars (for example, all 5 star photos) without you actually having to move them to a different folder.
To fix the existing problem, each photo that has been moved has either a question-mark icon or an exclamation point icon. The way you fix the problem is to point at the question-mark or exclamation point icon and then a dialog box will ask you to find the photo in your folder hierarchy. More details are here: Adobe Lightroom - Find moved or missing files and folders

HT4796 my migration from pc to imac keeps stopping with 3+ hours still to go...any suggestions

Migration from my pc to i mac keeps stopping with 3+ hours still to run, any suggestions? Charlie

baltwo wrote:
Csound1 wrote:
Connect an ethernet or firewire cable between the 2 Macs, Wireless is the worst way to do it (as you have found)
Concur; however, the OP has one Mac and one PC (non-Mac). Details are in http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2518
Ah yes, forget the Firewire cable then, use ethernet.

Migration from iPhoto to Lightroom 3 for Apple OS X 10.6

Dear all
This question refers to the Apple version of Lightroom.
Do you know any way of migrating all RAW, tiff, jpg, etc. files from iPhoto to Lightroom 3beta while conserving the original format? Ideally the migration should replicate also the iPhoto folders in Lightroom folders, so that I don't have to recreate the order pre-existing in iPhoto.
Many thanks
Mõmmibeebi

Not correct at all - please see my previous response to a similar post.
Although you may want to check my work - I don't know a thing about iPhoto - I'm assuming the iPhoto directory structure is also a disk directory structure, like Aperture can be - is that correct? Or is it a figment of iPhoto's imagination, so to speak - if so, disregard everything I said in this post and the other one too.
Rob

Collections and Smart Collections migrate from Bridge CS4 to CS5

Please, any ideas of how to migrate my collections from Bridge CS4 to CS5.
I have many collections and I have no clue of where they are stored or if they are. There must be some way to re-use them, otherwise is a feature that will bring problems on each upgrade.
Thanks
Marc

@jerrymic, look in ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Bridge CS4/Collections . Copy all those files to "Bridge CS5/Collections".
I just did that and restarted Bridge and all my CS4 collections appeared.
Cheers!
-bmw

From bridge to lightroom

I used Bridge to help a friend sort through photos. I marked them with using the star rating then moved the desirable photos to a new folder. Now she cannot open the raw files in Lightroom. Help please!

There's really no benefit to using two different photo management programs, Bridge and Lightroom. Furthermore, if you are using Lightroom, you ought NOT to be moving or rating or managing your photos in Bridge in any way. Lightroom is not a file browser, it does not know when you move photos in another program.
You assign stars in Lightroom; you manage/organize photos in Lightroom preferably by assigning keywords and other metadata, but if you absolutely must move them to a different folder (which I don't recommend), you do that in Lightroom too. Specifically in this case, the Filter Bar in Lightroom allows you to find any photos with a specified number of stars (for example, all 5 star photos) without you actually having to move them to a different folder.
To fix the existing problem, each photo that has been moved has either a question-mark icon or an exclamation point icon. The way you fix the problem is to point at the question-mark or exclamation point icon and then a dialog box will ask you to find the photo in your folder hierarchy. More details are here: Adobe Lightroom - Find moved or missing files and folders

Migrating from picasa to Lightroom

Hi,
I currently use Picasa for organising & editing my photos.
I'm planning on using Lightroom instead. Is it possible to export my settings (tags, starred photos etc.) from Picasa to Lightroom?
Cheers,
Pa

Hi,
I currently use Picasa for organising & editing my photos.
I'm planning on using Lightroom instead. Is it possible to export my settings (tags, starred photos etc.) from Picasa to Lightroom?
Cheers,
Pa

Migrating from iPhoto to Lightroom...

Hello,
I've now reach 5-years/15,000 images of wildlife/nature photography. iPhoto just no longer cuts it at this size. I'm on the fence between Lightroom and Aperture but right now the selling point for Aperture over Lightroom is that fact that I can migrate my rankings and tags from iPhoto into Aperture, while I don't think this is possible (ie. migrating them into Lightroom). Does anyone have any advice (other than starting from scratch and re-ranking/re-tagging the last 5-years worth of shoots)?
Thanks,
Kristin.

Rather than importing all your iPhoto files to Aperture, I'd caution you to simply reference the odd folder or two for each demo program, and then perhaps experiment with importing iPhoto masters (rather than the reference approach) for Aperture. It's not clear whether Lightroom can read Aperture files, or vice versa. So before doing an entire conversion to either one, why not play with both demos with a (very limited) subset of your photos? This way you can examine exactly what happens without being locked into a particular solution.
(BTW there is an excellent video about Aperture and iPhoto somewhere in the Apple site -- they suggest managing iPhoto images by reference rather than by importing the masters. See it and you'll understand the issues.)
FWIW I did try both and ended up with Lightroom. Aperture has a beautiful, clean design and more intuitive file management. Lightroom has a cluttered, modular design with less fully featured file management but exceptionally intuitive image editing capabilities. Also Lightroom runs like greased lightening by comparison to Aperture, which starts to beachball and stutter once you're on your third slider adjustment. Also, Aperture quits frequently -- in fact, I installed it on two machines, and in both cases it crashed immediately after opening it!
Lightroom is much more stable and has never crashed for me, and I'm banging around on it quite compulsively these days!
That said, while I have a 10,000 iPhoto image file I never bother tagging and rating and so on -- I just did the file folder thing. So choosing one app over another, for me, was not a function of my prior investment in the database. That said, if I HAD taken the time to tag and rank within iPhoto, I'd be absolutely committed to Aperture rather than Lightroom! That is a LOT of time invested, and Aperture is a great program.
One thing is certain: Aperture likes a speedy system. I tried it on my MacBook Pro and it was MUCH faster than on my 1.87 core duo Mini. But it was still not the most stable application on the block -- not by a long shot. Also while I loved the Zen-like simplicity of the interface, I found it Zen-like in other ways too -- as in "inscrutable." Besides being very complex (NOT a program to just start fooling around with, imho, unless you don't mind things like loupe tools that simply will NOT go away!) it also features extremely tiny and incomprehensible icons. You can click on them a dozen times and still not remember what they are just by looking at them. Kind of like "is that a spider? Or maybe a centipede?"
I really wanted to love Aperture, I did. Because I use Lightroom I still have to import albums into iPhoto to view them on Apple TV, for example, whereas Aperture albums can simply be browsed right within iPhoto and also selected for play on Apple TV. Plus I am an unapologetic Apple fangirl and want to paper my walls with Apple -- and only Apple -- software! But I could not get over the instability of Aperture.
As for Lightroom, well in many ways you already know how to use it. It is an exercise in simplicity and intuitiveness.You can start fooling around with it right away without your head starting to hurt!
Tough decision. Bottom line: try out Aperture (on your quad core 3 gig MacPro with a honkin graphics card!) and see what you think. Then try Lightroom. Feed each program just a small set of photos, just to keep things simple and not lock yourself into either until you decide.
Let us know what you decide to do!

How do I import GPS information for all of my images from Bridge into Lightroom 5.3?

After importing my images into Lightroom 5.3, I discovered that the GPS location data was imported for some images, but not for others. When I checked the metadata files for the same images in Bridge, the location data was present for all of my recently downloaded images.
Why would Lightroom import the GPS data for some images and not others?
Is there any way to import the location data from the Bridge metadata files into Lightroom?

Tony,
Thank you for your suggestion. I had already tried several approaches along those lines without success. In the end, the GPS data was still present in Bridge metadata file for each image, but not in the Lightroom metadata files for the same images.
So, I went back to Lightroom, and did some further exploring on the internet for solutions. Just as I was wondering whether or not the problem might be rooted in my download presets (i.e., setting copyright into, etc.), I stumbled across a reference by a Pentax owner that identified the same problem. Here's the link:
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/115-pentax-k-5/203274-gps-data-not-importing-into-light room-4-2-a.html
In a nutshell, I can download all of the metadata, including the GPS location information, but only if I do NOT use any metadata presets. If I use a metadata preset when downloading my images, no GPS data can be seen in the Lightroom metadata files, but it does import into Bridge's metadata files. I've now tried this both ways, several times now, and have verified this result.
I also tried re-downloading images with no presets, and replacing (copying over) the image from my original download. This did not solve the missing GPS data in the Lightroom metadata. From this point, all that I could think of doing was removing all of my recent downloads from Lightroom, and starting over. However, I'd already started editing my images, and I didn't want to lose that time.
So, I re-downloaded all of my recent images from my memory cards as a copy into each file without any metadata presets. Then, after selecting the copy first, followed by selecting the original (order is important), I toggled 'Sync Metadata' under the Metadata tab in Lightroom. Voila, the GPS data appeared in the original metadata. When this is done for all of my images, I will delete the second copies in my files. Once I am satisfied that everything is okay, and my images are backed up satisfactorily, and only then, will I reformat my memory cards.
This whole experience has surfaced an interesting quirk in Lightroom, or in my Lightroom settings that I don't understand. It may be something that Adobe might want to look into further, if others are finding a similar problem.

Anyone moved from Bridge to Lightroom?

I read Adobe's product info and some topics in this forum. However I wonder if anyone has used Bridge a lot for photography and has now moved to Lightroom (or tried and went back) and why. I'd rather hear a short review from you than from Adobe (pro, contra compared to Bridge). Also how do the two work together, I'm reading a lot about lost Camera RAW adjustments.
Thanks and if you have a good link to a topic that already covers this, could you post it? I couldn't find much. Sorry if this is asked frequently.
What I understood so far is that Lightroom is better as a database for lot's of photos because it copies them to the hardrive. It also seems to be better for presenting pictures to a client because it can be costumized visually (logo etc) and doesn't have non-photo features clustering up the screen. But is that all? Are the metadata features identical?

Hello T-
The thing to understand about Lightroom is that, rather than trying to be a total replacement for Bridge/ACR/Photoshop, it's a new approach to managing your photographic workflow, especially to those of us who primarily shoot in a RAW format. I specify that, because there are many programs that do what Lightroom does for jpeg and tiff files, but Lightroom shines among RAW processors and the concept of non-destructive adjustments to RAW files. It also does non-destructive adjustments to jpeg, tiff and psd files, but at first look, I think most people using those formats will likely think "I can do more in Photoshop". In fact, though, Lightroom incorporates more "image management" tools than Bridge, such as collections, that might make it more attractive to many users.
Bridge has a more "seamless" connectivity with Photoshop and other Adobe apps, but for most of your work Lightroom's Export and PS Edit functions work just fine. The two functions that you might resort to Bridge for regularly are Bridge's HDR handshaking with Photoshop and Bridge's Panoramic stitching handshaking. Lightroom at this time doesn't manage those operations and, in fact, can't deal with panorama pictures with dimensions of greater than 10MP in either dimension.
Other than those specialized functions, Lightroom is great for organizing and basic processing of your images. For RAW, I don't know of any other program that has so much functionality, although I gather Apple's Aperture is similar (I'm not a Mac user).
The main complaints about Lightroom are 1) as a new application it has noticable bugs and 2) it lacks some important features, requiring a lot of users to resort to Photoshop or some other external application to "get it right". Yes it's a new application, both issues are valid, but still it is well worth delving into and learning the workflow. You will find yourself turning to Bridge less and less, and the Adobe team will provide us with updates as they are able that address pressing issues.
Tony

Migrating from Bridge to Lightroom, keeping ratings?

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