Lightroom Classic: How to set your own destination folder when converting to DNG during LRC import?

Question

When you set LRC to convert raw files to DNG during import, the destination folder is burried deep in the system library under Pictures. Is there a way to set up a different destination folder and set it as a preference in LRC? Is there a way to change the automatic naming of the newly imported folder (the default name is a DMY date)?

Thanks in advance.

richardplondon · Answer

Whether you choose (at the top of screen) "Copy as DNG", "Copy" or "Move" method - the right hand side interface should include a Destination panel. With "Add" method, this is not applicable.

This Destination panel may be collapsed - if so, click triangular arrow to open. It may be disabled - if so, right-click on the heading of another panel, and put a checkmark next to Destination.

Here you select an already-existing storage location where the imported photos are to get copied / moved. A checkbox "Into Subfolder" allows you to type the name for a newly made subfolder as the target of the import

An "Organize" menu just below gives choices for HOW the images are to go into this destination / this new subfolder.

As-installed settings, which persist until changed. are for imports to go in the user's Pictures folder in a date based scheme. But you can change settings yourself and those will then get seen the same next time.

Named import presets can help you manage these settings.

Suggestion: if you want shoot-specific naming for folders, but you also want those to sit in a containing date structure - you can have LrC import using your choice of automatic date filing scheme. The secret to building up lots of imports within one common date hierarchy, is to leave the Destination constant and let LrC do the rest, as instructed in the Organize / By date options within Destination. Then after importing, you can go back and manually rename the dated folder this scheme has produced - adding after that date, some identifying text.

(That said, effort put into keywording images is IMO more 'inherent' than effort put into naming folders. The former kind of info shows up on the image as it is seen within a Collection, or as an exported copy.)

Renaming folders like this within LrC's Folders panel will not mess up its management of the images - OTOH doing so outside of LrC, by means of Finder / Explorer, would not be a good idea.

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