Can't get Virtual Copies to appear

[Tony10am]

I utilize Virtual Copies non-stop with my sports photography.  I must have accidently changed a settings as I can not get them to appear now.  It looks like they are being created but then nothing appears when finished.  

No stacking is turned on

I have clicked on the filters Original Photo and Virtual Copy (see attached photos) and this doesn't seem to help in any compination I create.

I closed and opened Lightroom Classic

I restarted my computer

I restarted and reset my preferences.

I am sure it is something simple, but I am stuff.  

Please help if you can.

[Tony10am]

Also, text pops up that Vitual Copy was created, but it isn't in the strip witht the originals.  Clicking on Virtual Copies filter icon shows no virtual copies.

[richardplondon · Accepted solution]

Virtual Copies do not automatically show next to the corresponding master image in every context (Collection, or Collection Set) where that master image shows.

A new VC should automatically inherit membership of one Collection - at most - if created while viewing the master image in that particular context. Of course: if equally satisfying the inclusion rules of a Smart Collection it should always show up there, also in the folder view,  assuming not filtered out of sight that is. 

So: I suggest rather than looking in a Collection or Collection Set based view you try the relevant Folder based view instead. You can navigate to that via the respective master image, right click, 'Go to Folder in Library'. Or: try the built-in All Photographs collection. 

[Tony10am]

Dam, sometimes the littleist mistake makes all the difference. When I have a new season (first basketball game of the year) I create a collection set and then a Collection withing it (CU MBball 2025 and then a collection within this Collection Set). I forgot to switch to the Collection and was in the set. I think I was too tired after the game and just gave up. It made sense as soon as I read your comment. THANK YOU!

[johnrellis]

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Building on @richardplondon's reply, your screenshot shows you've currently got a collection set selected as the current source, but no collections are selected:

Because you don't have a collection selected, the VC won't be added to any collection.

The precise rules for creating virtual copies are a little complicated:

1. When you create a virtual copy, it always appears in the LR folder containing the master, at the bottom of a folder stack containing the master.

2. If a collection containing the source photo is one of the currently selected sources in the Collections panel, then the virtual copy will be added to that collection. (There could be several such collections selected.) The VC will not be stacked with the master in a collection stack.

3. If you have a collection set selected as one of the current sources in the Collections panel, the VC will not be added to any child collection unless it is also selected (rule 2).

4. Photos are never "added" to smart collections. A photo (or VC) will only be displayed as part of a smart collection if it currently matches its criteria. 

So in your case, you have a collection set but no collections selected.  When you create a virtual copy, it will be added to the master's folder (rule 1) but it won't be added to child collections (rule 3).   As Richard explained, select the photo, right-click it, and do Go To Folder In Library. The virtual copy will be stacked with the master.

[dj_paige]

Please try to find these photos in Lightroom Classic. Please follow all four of these steps in the Lightroom Classic Library Module, in order.

1. Click on All Photographs (its on the left under Catalog)
2. Turn off all filters (Ctrl-L once or twice)
3. Expand All Stacks (Photo->Stacking->Expand All Stacks)
4. In the Filter Bar, search for a photo by File name

[GoldingD]

So in the first screenshot, you have a filter on to show images labeled red, are the virtual copy's labeled red?

In the last screenshot, apparently the label filter is deselected, yet issues continue. Try turning off all filters, in fact reset them.