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M
Mark Sirota
Known Participant
April 8, 2011
Open for Voting

P: Import Second Copy should be a true second copy

  • April 8, 2011
  • 32 replies
  • 863 views

I would like the Import process to be able to create two copies of my imported original files, with matching filenames/formats and folder structures, on two separate disks. Then in the case of disk failure, I could just rename the backup disk to the name of the primary, or point Lightroom to the backup instead of the primary, and I'd be up and running again in no time.

I cannot use the Second Copy function at Import time because the second copy is not organized by date. I have to do this manually.

For me, the current Second Copy functionality is not useful in any way. I am requesting new functionality, where the second copy happens after renaming, DNG conversion, and organization into folders, so that the second copy is identical to the main copy in every way except the path to the parent folder.

I'm sure many will suggest that you need backup software anyway and so this shouldn't be Lightroom's job, but I disagree -- in my case, these date-organized folders of originals are truly read-only. I don't convert to DNG, I don't write out XMP sidecars, and in fact I don't delete originals after Import, so these folders are truly never written to again after Import. If I could just create a second copy at Import time, my backup system would never need to be involved and I could mark my disks or folders as read-only immediately after Import.

(It would be extra-cool if Lightroom would set the file and folder permissions to read-only itself!)

    32 replies

    Show previous replies
    areohbee
    areohbee
    Legend
    October 21, 2012
    You can do this now with TreeSyncPublisher.
    areohbee
    areohbee
    Legend
    October 21, 2012
    You can do this now with TreeSyncPublisher.
    M
    Marcos Issa
    Participating Frequently
    October 21, 2012
    I would like to organize the folders tree at backup disk exactly as the main folders tree, becouse it could facilitate restore the catalog and files, if necessary. And maybe add a third copy.

    Argosfoto
    F
    FeedbackCommunityMember
    Inspiring
    October 21, 2012
    (1) It always takes me a while to navigate to the right folder when choosing the destination of my files. I wish there were a way to make this easier.

    (2) Second Copy always creates an extra folder called "Imported on Saturday, April 16, 2011". This forces me to navigate to the folder in Windows Explorer to delete it. I would rather than have to do this.

    (3) Creating the folder for the second copy is somewhat confusing. I often end up with a folder called "New Folder". Why not do it the same way as the First Copy (i.e. a Checkbox)

    F
    FeedbackCommunityMember
    Inspiring
    October 21, 2012
    I'm a belt an braces kind of guy and always make a second copy of images when I transfer them from memory card to my computer. The primary copy goes to main image store on an external HDD and the second copy goes to the internal drive on my MacBook Pro.

    The reason I use and external HDD for my primary copy is the sheer volume of images. The second copy goes to the internal HDD as protection against drive failure. On a regular basis the images from the internal HDD are transferred to a Linux server and on a monthly basis they are backed up to DVD. All the images for one camera for one month are stored in the same folder - e.g. D300/201105 for images from the D300 in May 2011. At the end of May, all the images in 201105 will get backed up to DVD.

    At the moment I use Nikon Transfer to transfer the images from memory card to HDD as it allows me to put the second copy where I want it and doesn't create an extra folder called "Imported on...". I would like to use Lightroom for the transfer and import but don't want the extra folder created. As can be seen from by backup workflow, I get no value from the "Imported on..." folder.

    I would like to have an option to disable the creation of the "Imported on..." folder.

    B
    bryn_f
    Known Participant
    March 30, 2012
    a similar request but asking for only the folder organization to be mirrored (make backup of untouched raw file) is here http://feedback.photoshop.com/photosh...
    areohbee
    areohbee
    Legend
    August 30, 2011
    Fair enough.
    R
    areohbee
    areohbee
    Legend
    August 30, 2011
    Fair enough.
    R
    Flawless_Star15D5
    Flawless_Star15D5
    Participating Frequently
    August 30, 2011
    I guess what I am asking for is the freedom to name/rename folders and files howsoever I want, rather than being required to accept what Lightroom wants. And that includes a reluctance to accept the need for mandatory sub-folders.

    Personally, I can handle backups as part of a computer-wide régime.

    Anthony.
    Flawless_Star15D5
    Flawless_Star15D5
    Participating Frequently
    August 30, 2011
    I guess what I am asking for is the freedom to name/rename folders and files howsoever I want, rather than being required to accept what Lightroom wants. And that includes a reluctance to accept the need for mandatory sub-folders.

    Personally, I can handle backups as part of a computer-wide régime.

    Anthony.
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