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EdwardJohnAllen
Inspiring
June 11, 2011
Open for Voting

P: Auto Import to folders organized by date

  • June 11, 2011
  • 28 replies
  • 3291 views

The Auto Import feature could be really useful but it does not allow users to handle files in the same way as the "standard" import routine within Lightroom, and this makes is problematic to use.For example:I use a Canon 7D which auto imports images into the "final destination" folder, then when I open Lr I can run the Standard import routine to apply metadata & presets etc. The cataloguing structure I use is a main folder named 2011, and each new batch of images goes into a separate folder named automatically by the date the image was shot, which makes things really easy.Auto Import does not appear to allow me to replicate this simple and effective workflow, and it would be really useful if it did.Any suggestions welcomethanks for your interest

28 replies

Participating Frequently
January 30, 2018
Hi Ben,

are you still working for Adobe ?

Sevens years ago you exactly understood the problem - why haven't anything been done for that ?
Participating Frequently
January 30, 2018
bump !

@1024427:
do you think it's a good idea to merge new posts into a DEAD threat ?
This one here is 7 years old without any progress - so it might be righ that the topic matches, but this way the feature will never be released.

Please do not merge anything into a topic that's older than maybe a year or two.
Thank you !
Inspiring
January 29, 2018


Why are we missing the option to create sub folders by date in the auto import settings?
It should be a quick fix to provide a similar feature as it is available in the standard import.
Participant
January 29, 2018


Allow 'Auto import' and 'Lightroom Mobile' imports to be organized by date and for the user to specify the date format, like in the ordinary import dialog.

This makes importing consistent, provides better overview and simplifies the import process, allowing user to drag the folder to main folder structure.
Inspiring
March 30, 2013
+1 on this. I too have an eye-fi card and would like the auto import to be able to organise by date just as the regular import does.

Thanks

Tim
Participant
February 13, 2013
Modify the Auto Import function so that files picked up from a watched folder can be sent directly to an existing folder. As the function currently operates, Lightroom creates an auto import folder, into which files from a watched folder are transferred. After the import is completed, files must then be moved from the Auto Import folder to the location where they are to be stored.

ByteSkater
Participating Frequently
January 9, 2013
When configuring an automatic import in Photoshop Lightroom 4 (watched folder), why can I not select that pictures should be distributed to folders by date, as I can do in the regular Import tool?
It seems all imported pictures during an automatic import (watched folder) can only be moved to a single folder. Any ideas?

areohbee
Legend
November 8, 2012

Ottomanic Importer
------------------------

* Full support for auto-importing (e.g. multi-folder watching (subfolders too), convert to dng, any target folder structure, ... )
AbodeGoody
Participating Frequently
October 10, 2012
Why is Auto Import so lacking? Here are just a few things that I don't get considering LR is supposed to speed up my workflow:

1) Only one watched folder can be set up at a time
2) Can't auto convert to .dng or do anything else besides Move
3) Can't dump into a folder that already has media (i.e. I understand the watched folder needs to be empty to start, but why can't I dump the files into an existing folder?)

Basically, I think auto import should be as robust as the import dialog itself with the ability to watch numerous folders and perform any of the currently supported actions (i.e. Import as DNG, Copy, Move, and Add).

Participant
October 10, 2012
Would it be possible to get a "copy as .DNG" or "move and convert to .DNG" option when using the auto import feature? I drop my .CR2 files into a watched folder but they only come into LR4 as .CR2 and it would significantly help my workflow if i had the option to have them imported as .DNGs... I know i can convert manually after import but i am trying to have a true automated import process!