can't change order in slideshow

[judy04]

I've spent three days trying to change FROM capture time to the order that I want for images in a slideshow.   I've tried to follow

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/sorting-order-in-slideshow/m-p/14539253...

as well as two other adobe help/howto pages.

I ultimately created a folder in the library module with only the 6 slides I want and in "custom order" (as suggested).   I move them to the slideshow module and they're in my desired order in the film strip.   But often when I "preview" I get "Preparing slideshow not responding"  and then when I 'preview' it's in created order or worse.   EVen the rare time it "prepares"  correctly,  I then get the created order.   I would really, really like to be able to do this so I could save and use them as Instagram reels.   But somehow I just can't get it to work.   I'm not new to LR - have been using it usually daily for about 15 years and love it,  so really don't understand how this can be so hard.   

[CMass]

Hey @judy04, 

That sounds really frustrating—sorry you're dealing with this. Could you please let us know which version of Lightroom Classic you're using? You can find this under Help > System Info. Also, if possible, could you share a screenshot of your workspace or a short video showing what happens when you try to change the order? That would really help us see if something might be selected—or not selected—that’s affecting the behavior.

^CM

[judy04]

Thank you soooo much for your reply.   I was about to video my "process" when for some reason I realized that I had to be in a folder right under the disk drive or I was in a subfolder - which after 3 days I was.   So tried and worked.   Again big thanks.

Judy

[Rob_Cullen]

A couple of comments-  I find that if I get my selected photos into the slideshow module and then immediately [create Saved Slideshow]

I then can easily Custom sort the photos on the filmstrip of the SS, or by sorting the Saved Slideshow Collection in Grid view (set to Custom Order).

Sorting photos in folders can be problematic- eg. you cannot custom sort a folder if there exists a sub-folder of images.

"Not responding" is another issue- Missing photos? Catalog corruption?- I don't have an answer.

[judy04]

Thanks so much for your reply.   I suddenly realized I had to be in a folder right under the disk drive or it was a subfolder so moved it and it worked!!!   Thanks for reminding me.

But was also interested in your comment:

>. I then can easily Custom sort the photos on the filmstrip of the SS, or by sorting the Saved Slideshow Collection in Grid view (set to Custom Order).

Are you saying you can change order after it's saved.   And in Library module?

thx,

Judy

[Rob_Cullen · Accepted solution]

"Are you saying you can change order after it's saved. And in Library module?"

Definitely not an 'Exported' rendered video of the slideshow, but, Yes-

In a Collection, that being a special Saved Slideshow Collection, you can custom order the images (before you play or finally export the video).

A 'Saved Slideshow Collection' is not only a list of your SS photos but it also stores all the design and layout you have used for that SS.

The Saved Slidshow Collection can be viewed in Grid view [G] (like any other standard collection) where you can sort the images in a Custom Order.

Return to the Slideshow module layout by-

a) [Ctrl+Alt+5] , or

b) [Double-click] on the Saved SS Collection, or

c) [Click] on the small arrow at the end of the SS Collection when you hover the cursor over the Collection name.

If you close Lr-Classic and later re-open LrC to return to the same Slideshow you must return to the slideshow by opening the Saved SS Collection (NOT from the top module menu!).

[judy04]

OK I can now get an mp4 in the desired order out which was my goal.   But I am TOTALLY confused about how to move around in library and collections and it doesn't seem at all like what I'm used to (and able to do).    I seem to have somehow created "the special slide collection" OK .   To do it and be able to get to it reasonably easily I had to create the collection at the alphabetical top (AAA) or would have had to run thru all collections to get to it.    But then seems like I have to go back to slideshow module to "Export Video".    (and from there can't get back to collection without destroying it in Slideshow Module.   But there's no reason to).     So I finally painfully was able to create a folder I was able to 'export video' into.   But then had to synchronize that folder to see it in LR. (tho I guess that was normal now that I think about it;  I'd tried (I think) to export to a folder already in LR and had probs)   So like I said I'm able to do what I've been trying to do, but it   seems like these different 'locations' are separate beings rather than being able to go back and forth between folders, collections, and Publish Services.   I get the option 'sync Lightroom' occasionally and tried it once and it said it couldn't??   What would it do if I could get it to do it.     Again I am very, very grateful to you for pointing me to this path.   But where did you learn all this?

Judy

[Rob_Cullen]

You have so many things going on!  "...seems like these different 'locations' are separate beings rather than being able to go back and forth between folders, collections, and Publish Services. I get the option 'sync Lightroom' occasionally..."

It is really much simpler. Can I make my suggestions- (I don't really want to be seen as ranting on.)

1) Your photos are stored in FOLDERS

2) You cannot sort photos in a FOLDER if a sub-folder exists.

3) You can make a Standard COLLECTION of photos using any photos you have selected in the LIbrary, A Collection is a created 'list'.

4) You can use the Standard Collection to begin a new slideshow.

5) After starting a new Slideshow of the Standard collection- Create a SAVED SS COLLECTION.

6) Delete the Standard Collection - it is no longer the source for your slideshow.

7) Your SAVED SS COLLECTION is now your SS photos AND the DESIGN of your SS.  

If you want it at the top of the Collection list -Rename it to sort alphabetically. (I place all my SS Collections within a SS  Collection SET.)

8) You can swap back & forth from the SAVED SS COLLECTION to a GRID VIEW. (To sort or add new photos)

9) An 'exported to video' Slideshow is just a new video file. It can be shown in the LR-Classic library, but it needs a video player to 'play' it. You wouldn't normally play it from within Lr-Classic.

Don't 'go back' to the Slideshow module top MENU. You must always reopen a SS from the SAVED SS COLLECTION.

Don't 'go back' to Folders unless you want to add more photos to the SAVED SS COLLECTION.

Don't 'go back' to any Collections that are not the SAVED SS COLLECTION, unless you want to add more photos.

Publish Services has no part in the SS process. (Although the video below refers to "Publishing a Slideshow" )

Sync Lightroom has no part in the SS process- it is another topic entirely.

Start at 6.30 in this video for Creating a Saved Slideshow-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Iok3mfpd0&list=PLAlfP1JM134dLSpiHpkGX0u4HGF28iCtk&index=64&pp=iAQB