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raphaels28255986
Inspiring
May 30, 2021
Answered

How to delete a copy from within a collection?

  • May 30, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 2986 views

Hi guys,

I very often create one or more copies when adjusting an image to consider several variations before deciding. But then to delete the now useless copies I leave the collection and go to All Photographs to do so - or else copies, if deleted from within the collection itself, will remain in my library.

Am I missing something? Is there a more elegant way to delete copies from within a colletion?

 

Thanks a lot.

 

Raphael

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer JohanElzenga

Yes, I did remember it correctly. If you are in a collection, you can remove a photo (or a virtual copy) from the catalog by choosing 'Photo - Remove Photo from Catalog', or pressing Option-Delete (Alt-Delete on Windows). That's a lot less dangerous than using 'Splat Delete', because if you do this with a real photo, that photo does not get deleted from disk.

 

2 replies

JohanElzenga
Community Expert
JohanElzengaCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 31, 2021

Yes, I did remember it correctly. If you are in a collection, you can remove a photo (or a virtual copy) from the catalog by choosing 'Photo - Remove Photo from Catalog', or pressing Option-Delete (Alt-Delete on Windows). That's a lot less dangerous than using 'Splat Delete', because if you do this with a real photo, that photo does not get deleted from disk.

 

-- Johan W. Elzenga
    R
    raphaels28255986Author
    Inspiring
    June 22, 2021

    Johan,

    When you say the image does not get deleted from disk, where does it go and how can it be retrieved?

    Thanks a lot.

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 24, 2021

    Thanks Johan,

    Works as you said it would.

    So what is the advantage of Opt + Delete over just Delete, when I'm in collection?


    If you are in a collection, then Delete only removes the image (or virtual copy) from that particular collection. Opt+Delete removes it from the catalog, like you asked.

     

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
    D
    dj_paige
    Legend
    May 30, 2021

    Virtual copies can be deleted from within a collection. Just use the "Splat Delete" Alt-Ctrl-Shift-DEL.


    CAUTION: No warning dialog appears to make you confirm that you really want to delete this photo. Once you do this, the photo is gone, and Ctrl-Z (Undo) doesn't help. Use at your own risk.

    R
    raphaels28255986Author
    Inspiring
    May 31, 2021

    Thanks dj_paige.

    I don't have Alt on a Mac 🙂 - and I'm only deleting a copy ... that disappears the way I do it now anyway ...

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 31, 2021

    You do have Alt on your Mac. It's officially called 'Option' on a Mac, but on most keyboards the letters Alt are on that key too. CTRL should be replaced by Cmd on a Mac however, so it is Cmd-Option-Shift-Delete.


    I am typing this on my iPad so I can't check, but I seem to recall that there is a safer way of removing images from the catalog when you are in a collection. That should have been added fairly recently. For virtual copies that is all you need to do, because they don't exist outside the catalog anyway. I'm not sure if I remember this correctly, but it's worth to check the menus.

     

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
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