Known Participant

Question

Is there a way to export multiple collections in one shot, with CUSTOM order (not as shot), and also rename in sequenced order start to finish??

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
March 30, 2019
3 replies
2432 views

MY QUESTION - Is there some way to highlight multiple collections and have them export photos within them in the order that I sorted the photos within each collection, while renaming photos in sequence? I know... compounded question...When I've tried highlighting all collections, for one it re-sorts all my photos back to 'as shot' which is wrong (I want custom order within each collection), and also it exports photos in a totally random order when renaming in sequence, so you end up with an absolute mess (photo from collection 1 named as "Cambell_1", then photo from collection 3 named as "Campbell_2" and so on - totally shuffled photos...)

Here's what the use case is, what I'm trying to do...

When I edit weddings, it's a lot of photos, mine, 2nd shooter's (Nikon), etc. In order to make things easier for editing and easier for sorting at export I create an order of the day in collections.

Each wedding more or less (based on the day) ends up with these collections: (helps me order 2nd shooter photos in the correct order with mine)

1 - details + girls getting ready

2 - guys getting ready

3 - first look + couple's photos

4 - wedding party photos - all

5 - wedding party photos - girls

6 - wedding party photos - guys

7 - family photos

8 - ceremony

9 - sunset photos

10 - reception

While I edit I drag / add photos to the proper collection, re-sort, or custom order photos how I want them, and then export in that custom sorted order while also renaming photos. Here the export works --- highlight all photos in collection 1, export in sequenced order, starting with 1 - ex. "Campbell_1.jpg" thorough let's say 31.

Then I have to highlight all photos in collection 2, export as "Campbell_32.jpg (sequenced order starting at the next # that the last collection 1 left off at.). I keep going until all photos from all collections are exported, ending up with Campbell_1.jpg through let's say Campbell_1200.jpg.

It's a pain in the butt, and I end up having multiple export jobs running at the same time, BUT it saves me time when importing into the gallery, so everything shows n order and I can also organize their day by Collection. This way they can find what they are looking for quickly, and also when they download all, the photos stay in the right order.

I'm asking the question above because I'd like to see if I can save myself some time... Wondering if there is a way and I just don't know it...

It would be great if I could just highlight all collections, and export them in custom order (as I sorted them in each collection), and also renamed and sequenced properly. I'd even welcome something like being able to export a collection as a folder with the same name as well. Ex. "1 - Girls getting ready" collection would export into a folder named "1 - Girls getting ready" with the photos in custom order within it, renamed to "Campbell_1" through 31. Does that make sense??? It would be amazing if there was a way to do all that in one shot... Would save me hours over a wedding season.

Thoughts??

This topic has been closed for replies.

Rob_Cullen

Community Expert

By experiment I believe I know a way to achieve this request- Give it a try! worth a go

1) Sort each Collection (1-10) in the Custom order you want for each.

2) Create a new "Empty" Collection (without any images)

3) Immediately set this empty Collection to "Custom Sort" (sounds silly, but regardless of there are no images, and you must click on the Sort order option menu. )

4) Now select all images [Ctrl+A] in Collection '1' and drag and drop into the "Empty" collection,

5) Repeat step 4) for each remaining Collections 2-9 in turn by number order.

The result is that the "Empty" collection will now have all your images sorted as you want-

Collection "1" sorted, Collection "2" sorted, Collection "3" sorted, Collection "4" sorted, etc.

(Do not try to reset the Sort option)

6) Export the "Empty" Collection using your Rename Preset- "Sequence/Filename".

This suggested answer is similar to a request to create a custom sort on images for 'Chapters' of a book, where each of the Chapters was created in individual Collections..

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .

Bob Somrak

Legend

Thats a genius solution WobertC,

One issue though. You need to add one instruction to step #4. "Make sure you drag using the FIRST photo"

When I first tried this it wasn't working for me as the sort was changing but then I discovered I was NOT dragging using the FIRST photo (top/left in grid). If you drag using any other photo the sort changes but if you use the first photo it works great.

M4 Pro Mac Mini. 48GB

Tony_See

Inspiring

Yep

I believe this is singularly too difficult for Lightroom with the concurrent tasks you require.

Maybe a combination of sorting, renaming, and then multi-tagging might give you ability to achieve a selection which could then be sent to a new collection to complete the process.

But its at the edge of achievability perhaps. Good luck and keep us posted.

JP Hess

Inspiring

"I think" what you're going to have to do is rename the photos in the collections prior to exporting, after you have sorted them. As far as I understand it, the export dialog can only accommodate one folder or collection at the time. However, it is possible to initiate more than one export process at a time. A suggestion to try, although it isn't something that I have done. I'm referring to the entire process I have suggested.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded