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mgrist
Known Participant
July 19, 2017
Answered

Importing to pictures folder

  • July 19, 2017
  • 1 reply
  • 2118 views

Just recently Lightroom has started importing my pictures into a subfolder in my User folder on my C drive (using Windows 10). I do not want this because what happens is, I import a photo from my network drive into Lightroom, and when I ask Lightroom to save in the same folder, it does not save into my network folder where the original is, but into the subfolder in my User folder. Then I have to go hunt it up and copy it back into my network drive. I do not like using my C drive for data, I want everything to be in my Network drive. I looked under Import settings but I can't find where to disable the import. Thank you

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Rob_Cullen

    Simply set the Import method to "ADD".

    There is no "Saving" of files with this method.

    "ADD" will leave the photo files untouched, exactly where they are in your computer system. Lr does not make copies anywhere. Only previews of the photos are created in the Catalog library. Lightroom does not contain your photos.

    (The ADD option will not work if importing from a Camera Card as that is not considered to be a suitable permanent file storage location.)

    Using "COPY as DNG" or "COPY"  will do two things- 1) COPY the files to another location that YOU define in the Destination panel, and  2) Create the previews in the Catalog library.

    I suspect you are using "COPY" and the Destination is set, or has defaulted to, the "User" folder.

    1 reply

    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Rob_CullenCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    July 19, 2017

    Simply set the Import method to "ADD".

    There is no "Saving" of files with this method.

    "ADD" will leave the photo files untouched, exactly where they are in your computer system. Lr does not make copies anywhere. Only previews of the photos are created in the Catalog library. Lightroom does not contain your photos.

    (The ADD option will not work if importing from a Camera Card as that is not considered to be a suitable permanent file storage location.)

    Using "COPY as DNG" or "COPY"  will do two things- 1) COPY the files to another location that YOU define in the Destination panel, and  2) Create the previews in the Catalog library.

    I suspect you are using "COPY" and the Destination is set, or has defaulted to, the "User" folder.

    Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.3, Photoshop 27.5, ACR 18.3, Lightroom 9.3, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.3 .
    M
    mgristAuthor
    Known Participant
    July 20, 2017

    Hi wobertc, thanks for your reply. I don't know where to set the import method. Normally I just drag items from Explorer and then select Import. When I look in the File Handling box on the right I can't see any options to "add". There's only the big Import or Cancel buttons at bottom right. However having said this, this morning I imported some pictures as usual and they did NOT copy into the User subfolder. I didn't change anything, at least I don't think so unless I clicked something inadvertently, so I don't know why it suddenly started working properly again. Anyway I appreciate your help.

    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 20, 2017

    Instead of Drag&Drop, can I suggest you try it by the common method of opening the Import dialog with the button at the lower left of the Lightroom Grid view screen.

    The options to Copy or Add are directly above the window.

    Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.3, Photoshop 27.5, ACR 18.3, Lightroom 9.3, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.3 .
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