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K
KCHAWK
Inspiring
June 13, 2022
Answered

Cut copy paste greyed out

  • June 13, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 1462 views

Recently my LR Classic is showing Cut, Copy, Paste as greyed out.  What to do to resolve

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Rob_Cullen

Lightroom-Classic, by default, does not allow more than one instance of a photo file in the Catalog, so you cannot 'Copy' one within the Catalog structure.

You can 'Export' an original copy, but not have it in the catalog.

 

Why would you want to?  Using Virtual Copies would be a preferred way to have multiple versions of a photo in the Catalog, and you can place virtual copies in various Collections.

 

3 replies

Rob_Cullen
Community Expert
Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 29, 2023

"you want to have a copy of the imported raw file on a separate drive,"

That is a job for independent 'backup' software Apps, (or a simple Copy&Paste in Windows File Explorer).

"LR even gives you the option to make a second copy when importing"

It does, but it is limited in use as it does not create a heirarchal Folder structure that is identical to the Imported files. Consider a "second copy" to be only a temporary safeguard until you create a 'proper' backup of the files.

"there should be copy/paste"

In your phone contact list- Do you "Copy & Paste" one contact to have multiple listings of the one person in your phone list?- I doubt it. A similar idea applies to the LrC database (catalog) - one file = one catalog entry..

"..and cut/paste"

Well that CAN be done in the Folder panel by a Drag & Drop with the mouse- Folder > Folder, etc.

 

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Rob_CullenCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    June 14, 2022

    Lightroom-Classic, by default, does not allow more than one instance of a photo file in the Catalog, so you cannot 'Copy' one within the Catalog structure.

    You can 'Export' an original copy, but not have it in the catalog.

     

    Why would you want to?  Using Virtual Copies would be a preferred way to have multiple versions of a photo in the Catalog, and you can place virtual copies in various Collections.

     

    Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
      K
      KCHAWKAuthor
      Inspiring
      June 14, 2022

      Great answer.  Appreciate.

        dj_paige
        dj_paige
        Legend
        June 13, 2022

        First you have to select something to cut or copy or paste

        K
        KCHAWKAuthor
        Inspiring
        June 13, 2022

        thanks for reply.  Yes I have been selecting.  Just want to drag and drop.

        johnrellis
        johnrellis
        Legend
        June 13, 2022

        We'll need a lot more detail:

         

        1. Please do the menu command Help > System Info and copy/paste the first ten lines here (or the entire output if you can't figure out how to copy/paste).

         

        2. Describe what you're trying to copy/paste (settings in the Develop menu, a particular field in the Metadata panel, ...) and the steps you're taking.

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