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Participating Frequently
April 1, 2021
In Development

Maintain folder structures on import

  • April 1, 2021
  • 131 replies
  • 20016 views
Add an option to preserve empty folder structures on import!

Often I or an assistant editor will create a folder structure in the finder with empty folders to be populated with media later on in the production workflow (i.e. Final mix stems, color files, graphics). Currently if you import empty folders or folders with only one item in them, those empty folders disappear on import and the single item that was inside them is left outside any folder. This prevents planning and proper organization, and I'm not sure what the benefit of it is? Fewer folders? But I wanted those, that's why I made them.

Just leave the folder structures as they are, don't change them. If some users want an option to "automatically remove empty folders on import" then add that, but don't make removing them the default.


Importing empty folder structures is an essential organizational tool for any medium to large scale professional production. I made this same request in May of 2018 and have never gotten a response or seen it addressed, I really I hope I do this time!

131 replies

Participant
January 24, 2023
For big Productions essential!
Like AVID, where I can create or copy a folder structure outside and copy it on the project level/finder level, and it is recognised the next time I open that project.
Or, like in DaVinci Resolve where I can Import the folder and subfolder structure.
Participant
January 24, 2023
This is Crazy! What are you doing Adobe?? You've now ****** the most basic function in the application!
Participating Frequently
January 24, 2023
I struggle to believe that this bug has persisted in v23.0. This is absolutely pathetic by Adobe – PLEASE listen to your users. I must have wasted hours restoring folder structures by now – this never used to happen. You ACTIVELY made PP worse for pro users!
Participant
January 24, 2023
Extremely infuriating. The new import screen feels very amateur. This needs to be fixed.
Participant
January 24, 2023
They need to do something about this ASAP
aTomician
Inspiring
January 24, 2023
Debatable that it "should" delete duplicates, but I like the thought process. My preference is to have all these methods as options so everyone can choose their own preference.

I do as much work as possible in the folder and file management as this is the easiest way to maintain projects for the long term. By managing projects using the standard Windows folder and file structures, I have the advantage that this can be reproduced anywhere. I can back up or replicate that folder structure onto cloud storage such as dropbox, box.com, or onto a BlackMagic cloud storage or other NAS, server, hard drive etc... and in every case my folder structure is respected. I can easily navigate to the same project in any of those places, because I know exactly where I'll find it.

So as you can guess, it's pretty annoying when Premiere Pro doesn't respect my folder structure. It's the spanner in the works. As usual, would be nice to see lots more options**. (**caveat: options that work I mean)
Regards, aTomician
Participant
January 24, 2023
This is ridiculous.

Infuriating work around:

Drop a small media file in each folder, when Premiere imports it should delete duplicates while maintaining folder structure.
Participant
January 24, 2023
Coming in to support the need for this!
Ariel_Brener
Participating Frequently
January 24, 2023

Please! we NEED the option to import with the folder structure even if there is only one file inside that structure!!!! I usually start with one file (stock or music etc) in a subfolder and later I add more - but the folders structure disappears uppon import so I need to manually recreate it in the premiere - PLEASE ADD THE OPTION TO IMPORT WITH THE FOLDERS STRUCTURE EVEN IF THERE IS ONLY ONE OR NO FILES AT ALL!!! This is so FRUSTRATING!

Participating Frequently
January 24, 2023
Multicam project with quick turn around super slowed down by this..Thanks!