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ColinMcD
Inspiring
October 31, 2023
Question

Sync Folder behaving Very strangely

  • October 31, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 447 views

Using Classic V13.0.1 , Camera Raw 16.0

 

I'm having a strange problem Syncing a folder - a Task I do regularly without issues.

I've scanned in 84 old old photos, into 5 folders, and I go to Synchronise the parent folder (which has 58 sub-folders). These Folders are located on my E: Drive.

LRC correctly identifies 84 images , and at the top you will see it is pointing at my "Loose" folder. Windows (11 Home Pro) also confirms 84 files in that series of 5 folders.

 

When I OK the Sychronise, LRC proceeds to import a total of 4,287 images. This includes 3,41,4 from my 😧 Drive, the 84 I was expecting, and I have not managed to work out where the others are located.

This has been repeated 6 times, each time with the same result. I have uninstalled Lightroom, Lightroom Classsic and Photoshop and Photoshop Beta, then re-installed with no noticeable difference.

I have also returned to LRC Catalog backups taken today, and on the 29th, with exactly the same results.

 

I have not knowingly created any Symbolic links (and in any event if there were, the Windows File count would have been different).

Does anyone have any suggestions?


    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 2, 2023

    A couple of questions-

    1) Are the thumbnails in your screen-clip showing as 'Missing' (the blur is hiding the detail)

    2) What thumbnails do you see in the Import dialog when you check the box in the Folder Sync to- [Show Import dialog before Importing] ?

    3) Do you have two drives (D:, E:)  both showing in the Folder panel of LrC? (the blur is hiding the detail)

    4) The 4287 images that do import- When you select the Previous Import List- Where are all the files located? [Right-CLick] a few to check folder location.

    I note that 2097 * 2 + 84 = 4278  Close to your 4287 figure!- strange.

    I hope you find an answer.

     

    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 .
    C
    ColinMcDAuthor
    Inspiring
    November 2, 2023
    quote

    1) Are the thumbnails in your screen-clip showing as 'Missing' (the blur is hiding the detail)     No

     

    2) What thumbnails do you see in the Import dialog when you check the box in the Folder Sync to- [Show Import dialog before Importing] ?     ALL 4287

     

    3) Do you have two drives (D:, E:)  both showing in the Folder panel of LrC? (the blur is hiding the detail)     YES

     

    4) The 4287 images that do import- When you select the Previous Import List- Where are all the files located? [Right-CLick] a few to check folder location.      Not Sure. I had to proceed and delete the bad imports as work had to be done. I moved the folders I was trying to Sync to my F Drive Imported then moved them back to E and all worked as expected. (Incidentally D, E & F are all separate HDD's)

     

    I note that 2097 * 2 + 84 = 4278  Close to your 4287 figure!- strange.     Very Interesting!

     

    GoldingD
    GoldingD
    Legend
    November 1, 2023

    Please  clarify, you are using the Sync Folder operation in order to Import Photos instead of using the Import Screen? Possible, but not normal.

     

    Or I completely misunderstand (lately the norm)

    C
    ColinMcDAuthor
    Inspiring
    November 1, 2023

    Yes I can confirm that I use the Sync Folder (in many cases) to import photos when I add them to specific folders. I did however forget to mention in my original post that I tried to import a couple of times and exactly the same behaviour happens.

    As far as not "normal" is concerned, the Adobe Help pages state

    quote

    Synchronize folders

    If the contents of a folder in your catalog don’t match the contents of the same folder on the volume, you can synchronize the two folders. When you synchronize folders, you have the option of adding files that have been added to the folder but not imported into the catalog, removing files that have been deleted, and scanning for metadata updates. The photos in the folder and all subfolders can be synchronized. You can determine which folders, subfolders, and files are imported.

     

    So Adobe seem to consider it suitable. I use this feature on a regular basis, particularly when scanning in old photos, as it works, and is so simple.

    GoldingD
    GoldingD
    Legend
    November 1, 2023

    Ok, that is how I read your posting. But I needed to make sure I was not reading something into that.

     

    Using the Sync Folder as you have is Ok. But, I would use it determinately, not often, for special cases. It lacks some capability, some file management that the Import Screen has.

     

    Specifically seeing just what you are importing, and the ability to control destination, should it not be where you want them.

     

    Typically I use the Sync folder when I get into trouble

     

    For this case, try the normal Import process. And if the photos are in the folder you desire, then in the Import, select ADD.

     

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