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Participating Frequently
October 27, 2020
Question

Making multiple books at same time

  • October 27, 2020
  • 1 reply
  • 878 views

I have started a book in Lightroom that I will export to Blurb when I am finished but I can't finish it until the end of the year. I want to start another book and be able to work on both of them.  How do I do that?  

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    1 reply

    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 27, 2020

    Using the Book Module indicates you are using Lightroom-Classic.

    For every new book you start, you must [Create a Saved Book Collection] from the tab above the main window..

     A Book Collection in the Collection panel stores a link to all the photos you use in the book (you can add more to a Book Collection), and it records everything you do to design a book.

    You can have any number of 'Saved Book Collections' and return to any one of them by [Double-Click] on the Saved Book Collection or click on the white arrow (at the end of the Book Collection name).

    I also like to keep my Book Projects together in a Collection Set.

    On my desktop Lr-Classic I have about 25 saved Books in the Collection panel, that I can return to at any time.

    (Also, you can Dulpicate a Book Collection, perhaps to work on a slight modification of a book for another version.)

     

    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 .
    Participating Frequently
    October 27, 2020
    Ok. I had my photos in a regular collection and I did create a saved book
    and that seems to be fine but now if I go back to my original collection it
    is listed there but just a blank book.

    When I try to switch to one of the other regular collections to start a new
    book if I do create a saved book it addsall those photos from the first
    book to it. I can’t figure out how to switch from one to the other.

    I tried with another of my collections and it started adding them too. I am
    sure I am missing something.
    Patricia
    Rob_Cullen
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    October 28, 2020

    Some hints-

    -Only use a Standard Collection for a Book ONCE, when starting a NEW book.

    When you have created a [Saved Book ] with the 'used photos',  delete the Standard Collection! You will NOT need it again.

    That will prevent this problem- "if I go back to my original collection it is listed there but just a blank book."

    A standard collection taken to the Book Module thinks you are starting another 'new' book.

     

    -"it adds all those photos from the first book to it. "

    I do not have a definitive answer for this- it happens to me also, but only when creating a new book. I am lead to believe that the Book module is unsure of which images to use in the book until it is 'Saved' to a Book Collection.

    Sometimes using [Auto Layout] then immediately doing [Clear Layout] may limit the photos to those you selected.

    Or you can apply a filter (lower-right) to limit the photos to 'Flagged' or 'Rated', etc.

    Or after creating the 'Saved Book Collection'- delete from this collection any photos you do not want in the book. (or conversly 'Add'  more you might want)

    ***But ALWAYS work from the 'Saved Book Collection' after starting a book. Never again from the top [Book] module menu.

    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 .