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Participant
Nov 22, 2024 10:46 AM UTC
Question

Duplicate folders

Every time I create a panorama or HDR, the photo is created in a folder, with the same name and path, but in the explorer they appear duplicated. I don't know what to do anymore. I've tried everything and it's hopeless. The cap fix does not work.

 

 

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6 replies

JohanElzenga
Community Expert
Community Expert
Nov 22, 2024 5:06 PM UTC

This is almost certainly a well-known problem, called the 'Capitalisation problem'. Basically, what happens is that you have two different folders, one called ‘XXXX’ (or a combination of upper- and lower cast) and the other one called ‘xxxx’. In other words, the names are the same, except for the capitalisation of at least one letter. Because MacOS and Windows are case-insensitive, your OS sees those two folders as one and the same folder and so it deals with this without you even being aware of it. You will only see one single folder in the Mac Finder or Windows Explorer!!! But Lightroom is case-sensitive, so Lightroom does see two different folders. Here's how to fix the problem. https://www.lightroomqueen.com/capitalization-catalog-error/

 

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-- Johan W. Elzenga
Participant
Nov 23, 2024 7:42 AM UTC

Hello, thank you for your reply.

I had already read about the capitalization problem. But I have tried all the solutions they say in that thread, applying it to all folder levels and it didn't work.

Unless it is a problem in a “hidden” part of the path, I don't know where it can be. Can you think of any other solution to try?

Thanks

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JohanElzenga
Community Expert
Community Expert
Nov 23, 2024 10:07 AM UTC

Most likely your problem folder is Google Drive, or even your Home folder. You could try this: Move all the images (outside Lightroom Classic) of this duplicate folder to another folder and then delete the current empty folder. Start Lightroom Classic. Both folders in Lightroom should now show as 'missing'. Reconnect both to the same new folder (https://www.lightroomqueen.com/lightroom-photos-missing-fix/). You will get a question about merging the folders when you reconnect the second one, just click 'Merge'.

 

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-- Johan W. Elzenga
Participant
Nov 22, 2024 12:29 PM UTC

@AxelMatt 

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Participant
Nov 22, 2024 11:33 AM UTC

Hello, thank you for your reply.

 

I have tried everything. I tried duplicating the catalog. I have also tried creating a new one and importing the folders. I have tried deleting Lightroom and installing it again. I have tried deleting all the preferences. I have tried uninstalling google Drive. I have tried formatting the hard drive where it is.

 

Whatever I do it ALWAYS creates a new folder with the same name.

 

If I create a catalog from 0, add only 1 folder and do an HDR, I don't have that problem. But of course, I can't waste that many hours of work on the Catalog. I need it to be that catalog.

 

Thanks

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Community Expert
Nov 22, 2024 11:15 AM UTC

@alfonsomrtinez Do you have tried to reset the preferences to the default settings?

What else have you tried to solve the problem?

The double folder seems to create as a subfolder of "Google Drive". Do you're using the Synchronisation function. If yes take a look to your Sync settings.

 

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