Importing to Lightroom: Import Presets

[Averil2]

Before the last couple of updates I could import to lightroom and it would import the the last place I imported my pictures. Now I have to physically show Lightroom where I want the pictures everytime. Even after just importing from a card and then want to import from a different card to the dame date.

So in other words if I want to import pictures from the card I have to go to Macintosh HD, then User, Then user name, then pictures, then Lightroom and since I have my lightroom set up to sort by date it will post under 2020/then the actual day. Is there a way that I can make a default to always go to the same folder when importing instead of having to find it manually each time?

[JohanElzenga · Accepted solution]

Save the import setup as an import preset (at the bottom center of the import dialog). Next time you import images you only have to select that preset.

[Averil2]

That is an idea but I do use another preset for the photos when I import. I am just wondering why adobe people changed what it was doing before to make this more time consuming.

[JohanElzenga]

Read my reply again. I am not talking about a develop preset, but an import preset. You probably have never used an import preset and might not even know these exist. Look at the bottom center, below the grid.

[Averil2]

Ahhh I see now. You are right, I have never used them, just apply the develop preset when importing. I will go check that out. Thanks

[Averil2]

Just so you know it worked perfectly! Thanks so much 🙂

[JohanElzenga · Accepted solution]

Did you read the previous messages? An import preset, as discussed in this four years old thread, solves that problem too because the import preset includes the destination folder.

[bikernz]

I have a somewhat related question... Until recently the import settings would persist and I could just update the shoot name and import again, even days later with the same overall settings. I don't even know when this changed but now after each import LR changes to MOVE instead of COPY from my CFExpress card (512GB ProGrade). This is very annoying because when travelling I rely on the CFExpress card as one of my backup copies (the other being an external SSD) while I work off my laptop internal SSD. My import preset includes no duplicates, make a second copy, rename, develop preset, copyright preset, destination. It works just fine except that it is no longer "sticky", if that makes sense. Any ideas??? Cheers, Brian.

[JohanElzenga]

Select your import preset, change MOVE to COPY and then use 'Update preset with these settings' (I can't check the exact wording as I only have an iPad with me) to update the preset. Does that work?

[bikernz]

Thank you for your very fast response! I should have said that my preset is already set to COPY. This is what is so frustrating, even then it reverts to MOVE after every import from the CFExpress card.

Stop the press! I have just tried importing from an SD card (something I was unable to do while travelling) and it works "correctly". It looks like this is an issue with how the filing system interfaces with the CFExpress card. In fact, with the import dialogue open and both cards connected, selecting a file from the SD card causes the mode to switch automatically to COPY. Selecting the CFExpress card again changes to MOVE. This is repeatable.

This looks like a bug to me! 😡 Your thoughts???

[JohanElzenga]

SD cards are recognized as memory cards by your OS, that is why 'Move' (and 'Add") is automatically disabled. CFExpress cards are seen by the OS as external disks, that is why that option is available. The only question is why it switches to 'Move' if the presets stores 'Copy'. Does reselecting the preset change this back?

[bikernz]

Sorry for the delayed response, I've been away for a day on business. Thank you for getting back to me again. 

Yes, re selecting the preset does everything it is meant to do, including setting the COPY mode. The problem is that after each import from the CFExpress card MOVE is set as the import mode. I tend to create folders to separate shoots, especially when I'm doing macro focus brackets, then I import each folder separately with the appropriate shoot name. The few times I forget to either select my preset again (with COPY enabled) or just select COPY from the top row (all the other preset parameters are preserved) it totally messes up my backup strategy. All I want is for LR to respect ALL the preset parameters until I change them.