1 Correct answer
I never use drag&drop to import, so I don't know if that's the cause of the problem, but if it bypasses the import dialog, you can't see what settings are applied.
Here's what I do in this situation:
Right click the folder in Library, and choose Synchronize folder, and check Show import dialog before importing.
When the import dialog appears, make sure that Don't import suspected duplicates is checked.
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Replies
I never use drag&drop to import, so I don't know if that's the cause of the problem, but if it bypasses the import dialog, you can't see what settings are applied.
Here's what I do in this situation:
Right click the folder in Library, and choose Synchronize folder, and check Show import dialog before importing.
When the import dialog appears, make sure that Don't import suspected duplicates is checked.
I just don't understand one thing - if the user wants to add files, why make it difficult and prevent him from doing so?
By @Takeone.Digital
What makes you think it does prevent you to do that? You could also use the normal import dialog, check the option not to import suspected duplicates, and use 'Add' at the top so the images are only added, not moved to another location. This is essentially the same as the second part of the 'Synchronize Folder' procedure.
I just don't understand one thing - if the user wants to add files, why make it difficult and prevent him from doing so?
By @Takeone.Digital
What makes you think it does prevent you to do that? You could also use the normal import dialog, check the option not to import suspected duplicates, and use 'Add' at the top so the images are only added, not moved to another location. This is essentially the same as the second part of the 'Synchronize Folder' procedure.
By @JohanElzenga
In user interface design, the performance of important and required tasks is measured in success rate and time. The ability to perform tasks comes from the location of the buttons and menus in the user interface. If you really believe that the user interface in Lightroom Photoshop or Premiere is properly designed pls explain all the tutorial videos that deal with their crappy interface.
Hints: How many clicks does it take to export files from PS/ LR / Primiere and how many clicks does it take you to enter a destination in your navigation software/app and to what extent do these two actions constitute the reason for using these softwares?
And yes, if you bury the completion of common objectives deep in the menu and tiny check box/ buttons you are definitely preventing the user from completing the task.
I'm not a UI designer and certainly not an expert but I've built a few Sas products and it's just a matter of simple logic- If it's important it should be big and in the center and in short - stand out.
Exactly the thing that is missing from all Adobe PC products that I know. I'll just add that in the web version for all kinds of Adobe apps and applications, there is no problem. everything is clear and simple.
Hence the conclusion that the knowledge to design an effective user interface exists, but someone in Adobe management prefers to complicate our lives.
In user interface design, the performance of important and required tasks is measured in success rate and time. The ability to perform tasks comes from the location of the buttons and menus in the user interface. If you really believe that the user interface in Lightroom Photoshop or Premiere is properly designed pls explain all the tutorial videos that deal with their crappy interface.
By @Takeone.Digital
Hints: How many clicks does it take to export files from PS/ LR / Primiere and how many clicks does it take you to enter a destination in your navigation software/app and to what extent do these two actions constitute the reason for using these softwares?
And yes, if you bury the completion of common objectives deep in the menu and tiny check box/ buttons you are definitely preventing the user from completing the task.
The answer to your “Hint” question is, at least for me:
One click.
If someone has properly set up all of those applications you mentioned, their most common workflows should have been set up, tested, then saved as a preset.
When I import, it’s easy. My standard destination paths, preview handling, metadata, etc. are all saved in an Import preset so that when the Import dialog opens, I take a quick glance at the current Import preset. If it’s the preset name I want, it’s good. If it says something else, I know to verify all import settings before continuing. What if I want to customize the destination? There’s a panel called Destination…not sure how to make that any more obvious. (You could say Destination is hidden if Add is active, but that is as it should be…Destination can only apply during a Move or Copy, never an Add.)
If I import by drag and drop and wish to leave it in the folder where it is, the Import dialog intelligently assumes that the current location is where I want it imported from, and auto-selects the Add option, so if I click OK, I know where it is: It’s obviously where I dragged it from, that is the path Lightroom Classic recorded. So a lot of my drag-and-drop imports are, just drop it on Lightroom Classic, and when the Import dialog box pops up, click the Import button to confirm. Done.
If I export from Lightroom Classic, I have my export presets set up, so it's often just a matter of one click to get my preset (maybe one more if I need to customize the destination) and off goes the bulk export. You can even choose export presets from the File menu, completely bypassing the Export dialog box.
Premiere Pro is similar. Exporting has lots of options because pros need all those options, but in most cases, I just need to select one of my preferred presets, and hit Export. Where do you set the destination, you asked? That’s one of the most obvious places: In Premiere Pro Export, “Location” is the blue-highlighted second line from the top!
So half of efficiency is user interface design, and the other half is us users properly taking advantage of the production optimizations they have given to us, so that complex workflows can be reduced to one click in many cases.
Sure, you can often find easier software, but they also often don’t have enough advanced features. The perennial challenge of software like what Adobe makes has is to provide the advanced features without overwhelming the interface. (And I do have my own list of complaints about Adobe UI, nobody’s perfect.)
A few years ago Lightroom Classic came out with a redesigned Import UI that some would say (Adobe did) was “much simpler and more intuitive.” Well, it was much simpler. It was too simple. Working professionals far and wide protested strongly because it was seen to be “dumbed down,” Adobe listened, and put back the Import dialog we have today, because that is what the people said worked well. They wanted “powerful” more than “easy.”
Can you name some good examples of photo or video software that offers the same options but is easier to use?
I never use drag&drop to import, so I don't know if that's the cause of the problem, but if it bypasses the import dialog, you can't see what settings are applied.
By @Per Berntsen
Just FYI…at least on the Mac, dragging and dropping is exactly the same as using the Import command or button. They all lead to the Import dialog box, so they all provide the opportunity to verify correct import settings.
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