Canceling Standard Preview Generation

[JBedfordPhoto]

When setting the parameter indicating Standard Preview Generation during the Import dialog, those previews are, predictably, generated during the import process. 

The problem - which seems to have always been present - is that when I choose to cancel the operation of generating Standard Previews (due to high processor resources), but continue to import my images, canceling only registers for a couple of minutes, then restarts. 

This has always felt a bit annoying tbh. It would be great to see canceling the operation require just one click.

[JohanElzenga]

I assume the problem is that you always need to get some preview on import. You cannot choose 'No previews' when you import. That means it's logical you can also not change to 'no previews' half way during import. As soon as an image appears in the grid, Lightroom will render a preview so you can see more than just a grey thumbnail. That is what makes it restart rendering previews.

Why don't you import with minimal previews if the rendering of lots of standard sized ones is a burden for your processor?

[JBedfordPhoto]

Thanks for that Johan. I do usually import with minimal previews on, but here and there it gets changed to "create standard previews on import". So when I cancel out of the task and then it auto restarts, does the restart continue generating standard previews or does it just create minimal previews? Just curious.

I realize this observation is niche and wouldn't expect you to have an answer, of course 🙂

[JohanElzenga]

Thanks for that Johan. I do usually import with minimal previews on, but here and there it gets changed to "create standard previews on import". So when I cancel out of the task and then it auto restarts, does the restart continue generating standard previews or does it just create minimal previews? Just curious.

I realize this observation is niche and wouldn't expect you to have an answer, of course 🙂

By @JBedfordPhoto

I suspect that Lightroom Classic starts building standard-sized previews when it restarts building, regardless of what you chose and terminated during import, but I never tested that.

[Conrad_C]

Just checking…is the option in the picture below, Replace Embedded Previews with Standard Previews at Idle Time, enabled on your computer? If it is, Lightroom Classic will automatically start generating standard previews when you leave the application idle. It’s independent of the status of any imports in progress.

I prefer not to generate previews right away, so in the Import dialog box, I set import previews to Embedded & Sidecar so that it initially uses previews embedded by the camera. And to make sure that previews as well as all other import options are always set the way I want, I made and named an import preset of my preferred settings. As long as that import preset is the one selected in the Import dialog box, I know it’s safe to go ahead with the import. If it isn’t, I stop and select the preset, then continue with the import.

[JBedfordPhoto]

I never noticed that feature - thanks for sharing it. Creating a preset is a good idea, too.