Clear book module?

[bartonlew]

I created a Collection which I want to turn into a book in the book module.  The 1st screenshot shows that Collection.  When I then go to the book module, the previous photobook I created comes up - which is based on a different Collection.  Even though I am still inside the present collection I created in the Colletions panel, Lightroom *thinks* I want the book I previously created - not so!  I want to start a new book.  I don't see a "clear" option inside the book module.  How can I start afresh?  Thanks.  

[Rob_Cullen · Accepted solution]

Whenever you start a new book by clicking the Module Menu for 'Book' you will see tabs above the pages window-

The [Clear Book] tab should remove all pages from the window and limit the photos on the filmstrip to only show your selected photos. Then you start designing your book, either manually by adding page-by-page, or use an Auto-Layout Preset.

The Auto-Layout panel also has a [Clear Layout] button but I suggst this is only useful for clearing an unwantd Auto-Layout to choose another Preset.

Once you have your book 'under way' with a basic layout you MUST click on the tab to [Create a Saved Book]. This will create a new Collection that is specifically a 'Book' Collection that records every change you make to the Book design. You always re-open a Book from a 'Saved Book Collection'  (NOT the first Standard Collection you started from!)

[bartonlew]

Thanks!  I am not having the same user experience as you.  I cannot see the "Clear Book" and "Create Saved Book" options you are showing in your first screenshot.  I have tried clicking around the Page and Auto Layout options to no avail.  How do I access these tabs?  Thanks.  

[Bob Somrak]

Try clicking "Auto Layout" and then "Clear Book" should show up.  The Book module in the most inane fustrating mess in LrC.  

[bartonlew]

Thanks.  Before doing this I want to Create A Saved Book of my prior book as Rob Culen directed in his reply.  But I don't see a "Create A Saved Book" option.  When I right-click on the Collection, however, I do get a "Create Book" option.  Will that do the trick?  Thanks.  

[Bob Somrak]

@Rob_Cullen is the pro here on Book but yes, using right click should create a saved book or you can hit the + in the upper right corner of the Collection Panel and Create a Book there.

[Rob_Cullen]

The Keyboard back-slash key [ \ ] will show/hide the top tool bar. So maybe your tabs are hidden. Press [ \ ].

@bartonlew  If the [ \ ] does not reveal the Tabs in your current book, then you have already created a Saved Book Collection, and you can remove or add photo to this Saved Book Collection when you are in Library Grid View.

Now the tabs [Clear Book] and [Create a Saved Book] will only appear when you start a new book from the top Module Menu. **If you click on [Create a Saved Book] they will disappear and no longer be available. You only get this one chance to 'Save' a Book Collection in the Collections panel. EVERTHING to do with this book design is now done from the Saved Book Collection (with a 'Book' icon)

You can now however create a NEW book collection from the Main Menu: Book > New Book, but this does not over-write the current 'Saved Book Collection'

@Bob Somrak  TBMK (and experience) There is no way to create a specific 'Book Collection' in the Collections panel (by clicking on [+] ) This only ever creates a Standard Collection (or a Set).

[bartonlew]

Thanks, Rob.  This is all confusing.  I had not previously saved my book as a Collection.  When I subsequently created a new Collection and went Book Module, the book from the previous Collection populated, even though it was an entirely different Collection.  Once I created a Saved Book based on the older Collection (using right click on the Collection), the Book Module in the new Collection was cleared, and showed the "Clear Book" and "Create Saved Book" options you referred to.  Why you would need to clear the book for an entirely new book, or only have a *create saved book* option for an entirely new book (as opposed to a partially or fully created one) is a mystery to me, but I guess I'm glad those options are available.  I'll reread your post to see if more sinks in or makes sense.  Thanks.  

[Bob Somrak]

@Rob_Cullen 

I was refering to the collection panel in BOOK where the + gives you a "Create Book" 

[Rob_Cullen]

@bartonlew 

These words were quoted in a post from an Adobe staff member- "Until you have created a "Saved Book Collection" the Book module does not 'know' what photos you want for the book so it pulls in all recent photos from books and folders. "

And I agree "This is all confusing." 🙂

Now my preferred work-around is to create a 'Saved Book Collection" from which I then remove all photos (In Grid view!), then add the photos I want in the book, either from Library Folder view or a Standard Collection, then use a Preset to Auto-layout.

And @Bob Somrak I have been testing your (good) suggestions-

You cannot create a 'Saved Book Collection' by a [Right-Click] on a Standard Collection unless you are already in the Book module. I guess that is the same action as clicking on the Tab. If you repeat this menu action you create another 'new' book of the same images.

I can always learn something new, thanks.

[Aronis]

This DOES NOT WORK. I took DAYS setting up a new smart collection and when I tried to make a new photobook, lightroom merged the prior smart collection and I could not get it to clear.  

Mike

[Aronis]

I am more than pissed off, it was heart braking going through old family photos to make a colleciton and now it is screwed up.  I have to do it all over again. Thanks Lightroom, for nothing.

Mike

[Aronis]

the more I try to fix it the more is scews up.  Just Great.

and I PAY for this software Monthly.   Real Money.

Mike

[Aronis]

and of course the online module QUICKLY updated the collection deleting half of the photos which I TOOK HOURS sorting.  This software has BUGS.  

Mike

[Rob_Cullen]

Hi Aronis, Yes frustrating I know, having done many books in LrC and run into the same problem you have also encountered (and I still do).

Try this workflow-

1)  Create a Standard Collection of photos (NOT a Smart Collection)

2) Select the photos in the Standard Collection and click on the top menu [Book] Module.

3) Apply [Auto Layout] so that the new book fills with photos (that can include the 'unwanted')

4) Immediately Click on the [Clear Book] tab.

Now I think you will find that the images on the Filmstrip have now reduced to only the selected photos from the standard Collection.

5) Immediately Click on the [Create Saved Book] tab, and give your new book a distinctive name.

Now you have a new 'Saved Book' that will show in the Collections panel with the tiny book icon and the name you gave it.

A couple of points-

-There is no "online module".  Lr-Classic works locally.

-MOST IMPORTANT!-  You MUST ALWAYS re-open your Book to make edits and changes by 'Opening' the  Saved Book Collection (as created in step 5 above). You can [double-click] the Saved Book Collection name, or [One Click] the white arrow that appears after the book name when you hover the mouse cursor over the name.

-Do NOT use the top menu [Book] to re-open a previously created book. The Book module top menu  always starts a 'new' book.

-Do not use the originally created Standard Collection again (delete it!).  If you want more photos added to the book, drag them onto the Saved Book Collection.

[Aronis]

Brute force work around. Make collection, Export as new Catalog. Open JUST that catalog. Make book.

Brute force usually works with software as complex as this.

Mike

[Rob_Cullen]

That will work, but note my points from my previous post about "MOST IMPORTANT" and "Do NOT use the top menu". This will also apply in your exported catalog.

[Aronis · Accepted solution]

I figured it out.   The "Book" module remembers your last selected collection.  If you pick another collection and go to the "Book" module, it ADDS the content of the colletion to the prior group of imates.   So you have to step through as follows:  

Open "Library. " Go to "Book" module. "Clear Book."  Go back to "Library" module. Select the collection you want. Go back to "Book" module , that is the workflow which worked for me.  Very counter intutitive but it appears to considently work.

I am working on figuring out how to change the book type and then apply that.   Baby steps.

Mike

[Rob_Cullen]

A couple of links FYI-

Everything you Need to Know About the Book Module in Lightroom Classic

BOOK MAKING (Adobe Helpx)

How to Make a Photo Book    (Old link- for Lr prior to Lr-CLassic)

BOOK NEW CELL PLACEMENT OPTIONS AUG 2018