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Film4Now
Participating Frequently
November 15, 2017
Answered

Virtual Copies - Cannot Unstack - LR CC 2015.12

  • November 15, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 1536 views

I am able to create Virtual Copies of photos (all in same folder).  The stack icon appears in the upper left of the thumbnail, and when I click it - it either says 1 of 2 or 2.  However I cannot unstack those photos.  Have tried multiple times on multiple photos.  Have tried multiple approaches (shortcut of "S", going to stacking menu and selecting expand all stacks) but none of them result in placing the two copies next to each other in the film strip.  The top photo remains unchanged showing 2 or 1of2

I have used VCs and unstacked them in the past (maybe 2 months back), but now I am stuck.  (there are help messages on unstacking going back over 7 years - but none have this problem and usually mention the stacking menu).

Any wisdom or experience with this will be greatly appreciated!

(Just updated CC and see that there are two versions of LR - desk and cloud - - gotta wrap my mind around that)

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Rob_Cullen

    You may need a reset of the Preferences file, and/or a re-install of Lightroom.

    Have you tried clicking on the 'Double line' on the 'Master' preview image to Expand/collapse the stack?

    Also- does the Shortcut [Ctrl+Shift+G]  work to Un-stack (Un-Group) the visible preview?

    When I have Virtual Copies, nothing I do (except filtering to show) will separate Master and VC in Grid or filmstrip.

    I note you refer to- "(all in same folder)".  There is no other possibility!  Virtual copies are just "Virtual". they are not physical files and so can never be separated from the Master preview of the same image file.

    2 replies

    F
    Film4NowAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    November 16, 2017

    Thank you wobertc for the help.  Resetting the preferences fixed it!  Whew! I am back in action.

    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Rob_CullenCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    November 15, 2017

    You may need a reset of the Preferences file, and/or a re-install of Lightroom.

    Have you tried clicking on the 'Double line' on the 'Master' preview image to Expand/collapse the stack?

    Also- does the Shortcut [Ctrl+Shift+G]  work to Un-stack (Un-Group) the visible preview?

    When I have Virtual Copies, nothing I do (except filtering to show) will separate Master and VC in Grid or filmstrip.

    I note you refer to- "(all in same folder)".  There is no other possibility!  Virtual copies are just "Virtual". they are not physical files and so can never be separated from the Master preview of the same image file.

    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 .
    johnrellis
    johnrellis
    Legend
    November 15, 2017

    As Wobertc suggested, resetting LR's preferences often fixes things when LR goes wonky. If that doesn't help, make sure the menu command Library > Enable Filters is unchecked, and then post a full-resolution screenshot of your LR window -- that can often give clues as to what's going on.

      F
      Film4NowAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      November 16, 2017

      Thank you Johnrellis.  As you commented - was the solution.

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