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DavePinMinn
Inspiring
October 29, 2020
Question

Creating a suffix for each external editor

  • October 29, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 1842 views

Windows 10 Pro, LR 10.

Before putting something in the feature request, I want to be sure I can't do this...

Is there a way, within the Preferences in Lightroom, set set a unique suffix for the filename created by each external editor? 

For example, for file abc.NEF, have Topaz Denoise create an output abc_topazlr.tif.  Then send the file to Photoshop and have the "Save" send back abc_topazlr_ps.tif.  Then send it to Nik Output Sharpener and get back abc_topazlr_ps_nos.tif.  

INSTEAD OF abc_edit_edit_edit.tif and have no idea when I look at the file in six months what was done to it? 

And YES, I KNOW I can switch from Develop back to Library every time, open Metadata every time, and manually CHANGE the filename every time, but I'm trying to avoid that PITA when I'm in the middle of working on an image.

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

Just Shoot Me
Just Shoot Me
Brainiac
October 30, 2020

This is something the External Editor should do, and or have a setting for the Save File Name after you are finished using it. 

 

It is not LrC that is Naming the file once you send it to the external editor.

Whether or not that Denoising program has that option I don't know, and or if a naming dialog box comes up once you click the Save button.

D
DavePinMinnAuthor
Inspiring
October 30, 2020

I'm not sure how I'd get a label name automatically into the filename...  Can you elaborate?

 

That's an interesting question.  I'm not sure who names what...  I DID change the suffix in the external editor section, thinking I COULD have a unique one for each.  But when the file came back to Lightroom, no matter where it had been, it had the same suffix. 

I JUST tried it.  Took a Nef file (abc.nef) from Lightroom.  Edit In to Photoshop.  Made some changes. Hit save.  Got back a tif with abc_qqq.tif.

Did Edit In topaz denoise.  Ran that.  Got a file back with abc_qqq_qqq.tif.

Did Edit In Nik Silver Efex.  Ran that.  Got a file back with abc_qqq_qqq_qqq.tif

Lastly, did Edit In Nik Output Sharpener.  Got a file back with abc_qqq_qqq_qqq_qqq.tif

I don't know who's doing what, but I don't think all these other programs are creating exactly the same suffix.  I suspect Lightroom is creating a tif with the suffix, then sending it to the other software.  But, I don't know this.  Maybe it puts the suffix on after the other software send back the file.  But, in either case, it looks to me like Lightroom is doing the suffix...

 

 

D
DavePinMinnAuthor
Inspiring
October 30, 2020

Yes, Lightroom -Classic is naming the file BEFORE it is sent to the external editor.

On a 'slow' system you might see the new derivative file created in the Library grid before the External Editor opens the file.

When you 'Save' the file it updates the preview in the Catalog.

 

But- Here is another option 'work-around':

 

1) Define Filename Presets for each of your External Editors-

eg.  {Filename_SilverEfex}, {Filename_Topaz}, {Filename_Luminar}, etc

 

2)  Use the EXPORT dialog with these options--

- Add to this Catalog

- Rename using the Preset for the external editor

- In Post Processing field- Enter the External Editor to use.

 

3) Save (Add) an EXPORT Preset for EACH External editor.

 

Then the workflow  is a simple as-

[Right Click] an image in Library Grid

Choose [Export] > [THE EXTERNAL EDITOR PRESET]

Edit and 'Save'

Done! The derivative image is back in the Catalog with the Filename you defined for the Export.

 

 

 

 


I don't think I'm understanding your workaround...  It sounds like I end up with an image that INSTEAD of a filename like yymmdd_sequence_<whatever external>.tif I'd have something with <external><something else>.tif?

Is that what you're saying?

Rob_Cullen
Rob_Cullen
Community Expert
October 29, 2020

Not an answer, Just exercising the brain!-

If you do not use Labels for other purposes- use a Rename Preset like {Filename_Label}in the External editing Preferences-

'Label' an image (4 choices 6,7,8,9), send to Ext editor , Then you will add a 'color' to the existing filename as a reference to the External editor used.

eg. {DSC_6929_Red_Red_Yellow.tif }   has been to Color Efex twice and Silver Efex once.

 

 

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.0, Photoshop 27.0, ACR 18.0, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0 .
ManiacJoe
ManiacJoe
Inspiring
October 29, 2020

In the "external editing" page of the Settings dialog, is where you will find it (or not). In version 9.x there is only one "rename" option that applies to all editors. I am assuming that did not change for version 10, unfortunately.

D
DavePinMinnAuthor
Inspiring
October 29, 2020

It APPEARS to still be the same.  I keep hoping I'm missing something obvious, 'cause if I have to ask Adobe for a feature I figure I'll be long dead before there's any chance of it showing up... 

How do other people that use Lightroom and Photoshop along with other tools keep track of what they've done to their images?  Y'all CAN'T be constantly opening Metadata and renaming image files, right?

 

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