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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

deaconjunior
Participant
January 24, 2023
This is one of the most frustrating things for professional video editors. I can always use a template project with everything built out, but dragging in the already established folder structure would be a life saver.
Participating Frequently
January 24, 2023
Can't believe this is still not an option.
chirconius
Participating Frequently
January 24, 2023
still having this issue on Aug 20 2022 .. how hard can it be to fix?
Mike_Abbott
Legend
January 24, 2023
This is related to:
https://adobe-video.uservoice.com/forums/911233-premiere-pro/suggestions/41902426-maintain-folder-structures-on-import?page=1&per_page=20#:~:text=Maintain%20folder%20structures%20on%20import

Not only has the above request been ignored for far too long, Adobe have compounded the issue with the new Import page.

The new import page is useless for anyone who is organized. And that means just about any professional video editor. Why?

When importing source material it is very likely the source material will have already been sorted into folders outside of Premiere, or be in a predefined folder structure which should be maintained.

Can I do that in the new Import dialog? No. Premiere decides that any imported folder structure is not required and dumps everything into the project panel.

If I have an exisiting folder structure that I import, I expect Premiere to maintain it.

Let me spell this out:
If the folder has multiple files in it - maintain it.
If the folder has ONE file in it - maintain it.
If the folder has NO files within it - maintain it.
Participating Frequently
January 24, 2023
Having to manually recreate folders inside Premiere that I already created in the Finder is a waste of time and completely pointless. Folders should be imported when we import them. Editors don't need to be second-guessed by the software.
dparsons85
Legend
January 24, 2023
This bug has been around forever! How has this not been fixed yet?
Participant
January 24, 2023
This bug was fixed at some point. At least it didn't happen for a while back in 2021. But now it's back again! Please fix it!
Participant
January 24, 2023
When I import a whole shoot into a project which is organised with different card and camera names, Premiere clears it all out so I only have XDROOT or M4ROOT folders with no idea which camera it is unless I manually re-apply all the folder names. I have gone back to v22.2 which is the last time I was able to import the whole folder structures and can't justify updating until this is sorted.
Participant
January 24, 2023
They still didn't solve this and its a disgrace, I have folders that contain card names and premier just delete it. its a scandal.
Inspiring
January 24, 2023
This behavior is really annoying and needs to be fixed. Just more unprofessionalism of this program.