Inspiring

Answered

unable to import images using the add option

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
March 13, 2023
5 replies
2435 views

Hi,

I am unable to import my images from my external HDD through the "add" option. I can only import through the "copy" option as it forces me to copy the files to my mac's drive.

This is unusual as I have always been able to import images through adding them and working directly from my Ext HDD. My LR catalog is also located in the same HDD.

This happens when I updated my LR to v 12.2.1. I tried to reinstall back v 12.1 but it doesnt solve the problem. I am running on Mac OS ventura 13.2.1. Am I missing something?

macOS

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Correct answer GarethSen

I realised I ecounter the same problem when I tried to import images using a seperate mac with the same catalog (my LR catalog is stored in my ext HDD). It seems that giving full disk access does not solve the problem. I began to backtrack my recent activities and I realised that I copied a folder named "DCIM" straight from my camera's SD card to my ext HDD a few days ago.

Apparently if you have a folder that has names that coincide with DCIM (or any name similar to how a camera would label a folder) , lightroom mistakes this as a removable drive. In this case, the presence of the folder named "DCIM" in my ext drive gives the impression that my drive is actually an SD card; thus unable to import my photos via the "add" option.

I have thus deleted that folder, ejected the hard drive and reboot lightroom. problem solved.

G

GarethSenAuthorCorrect answer

Inspiring

I realised I ecounter the same problem when I tried to import images using a seperate mac with the same catalog (my LR catalog is stored in my ext HDD). It seems that giving full disk access does not solve the problem. I began to backtrack my recent activities and I realised that I copied a folder named "DCIM" straight from my camera's SD card to my ext HDD a few days ago.

Apparently if you have a folder that has names that coincide with DCIM (or any name similar to how a camera would label a folder) , lightroom mistakes this as a removable drive. In this case, the presence of the folder named "DCIM" in my ext drive gives the impression that my drive is actually an SD card; thus unable to import my photos via the "add" option.

I have thus deleted that folder, ejected the hard drive and reboot lightroom. problem solved.

Sean McCormack

Community Expert

Genius find @GarethSen

Out of curiosity, was the DCIM folder in the root folder of the drive?

Sean McCormack. Author of 'Essential Development 3'. Magazine Writer. Former Official Fuji X-Photographer.

johnrellis

Legend

It may be that if it was in a subfolder it would be okay. It's worth investigating at some point. Thanks!

Great discovery.

It appears if any folder on the file's path is named DCIM, then neither Add nor Move are available options. For example, I tried importing a file with path /first/second/DCIM/third/fourth/test.jpg, and Add and Move were greyed out.

That's lazy programming by the original developer. LR should be using the Mac and Windows calls that indicate whether a volume is removable (e.g. a USB stick) or fixed (an external drive).

TheDigitalDog

Inspiring

Hi,

I am unable to import my images from my external HDD through the "add" option. I can only import through the "copy" option as it forces me to copy the files to my mac's drive.

By @GarethSen

If you place the images on the desktop does it now work? Copy is required for import from most PC cards and maybe LR 'thinks' this is such a storage device. Can you tell us more about this HHD? Does running Disk First Aid (Disk Utility) help?

Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"

Sean McCormack

Community Expert

Have you allowed Full Disk Access?

https://www.solve.uk.com/post/how-to-grant-full-disk-access-in-macos-ventura

Sean McCormack. Author of 'Essential Development 3'. Magazine Writer. Former Official Fuji X-Photographer.

G

GarethSenAuthor

Inspiring

I have tried this, but it doesnt seem to work

G

GarethSenAuthor

Inspiring

Ah I forgot to restart the mac after applying the settings. I can import images via adding now! Thank you!

johnrellis

Legend

[This post contains formatting and embedded images that don't appear in email. View the post in your Web browser.]

First, ensure LR is granted Full Disk Access (not Files And Folders) permission:
https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-give-full-disk-access-to-lightroom-classic-on-macos/m-p/12913413

If that doesn't help, it may be that Mac OS 13 is reporting the incorrect device type to LR. To see what Mac OS is reporting:

a. Start the Disk Utility app.

b. In the left column, find one of the problem external drives and note the exact volume name, e.g.

c. Start the Terminal app.

d. Type this command:

diskutil info "Miscellaneous2"

replacing "Miscellaneous2" with the exact name of the volume from step b, with the exact case, including any spaces in the name and the double quotes.

e. Copy and paste the entire output here.

(The Disk Utility's Get Info command doesn't provide all the required information, so don't bother doing that.)

R

rpearson1

Participating Frequently

I have the same issue, Greyed out Add button on all external Hard drives, that ll used to allow Add to the catalog ?

Last login: Tue Mar 28 12:00:23 on console

[MacBook-Pro-9:~] rob% diskutil info "PhotoMaster"

Device Identifier: disk2s2

Device Node: /dev/disk2s2

Whole: No

Part of Whole: disk2

Volume Name: PhotoMaster

Mounted: Yes

Mount Point: /Volumes/PhotoMaster

Partition Type: Apple_HFS

File System Personality: Journaled HFS+

Type (Bundle): hfs

Name (User Visible): Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

Journal: Journal size 524288 KB at offset 0x48c4000

Owners: Disabled

OS Can Be Installed: Yes

Media Type: Generic

Protocol: USB

SMART Status: Not Supported

Volume UUID: 67446A51-43E5-32E2-8816-A8FA20AADAB5

Disk / Partition UUID: D8A955EC-75B0-4CEB-AB20-B444459E5602

Partition Offset: 209735680 Bytes (409640 512-Byte-Device-Blocks)

Disk Size: 10.0 TB (10000487374848 Bytes) (exactly 19532201904 512-Byte-Units)

Device Block Size: 512 Bytes

Volume Total Space: 10.0 TB (10000487366656 Bytes) (exactly 19532201888 512-Byte-Units)

Volume Used Space: 8.0 TB (7979703025664 Bytes) (exactly 15585357472 512-Byte-Units) (79.8%)

Volume Free Space: 2.0 TB (2020784340992 Bytes) (exactly 3946844416 512-Byte-Units) (20.2%)

Allocation Block Size: 16384 Bytes

Media OS Use Only: No

Media Read-Only: No

Volume Read-Only: No

Device Location: External

Removable Media: Fixed

Solid State: Info not available

[MacBook-Pro-9:~] rob%

R

rpearson1

Participating Frequently

Also after the OS

Ventura update, 13.2.1

I have allowed full disc access to Lightroom Classic and Lightroom CC

It is a firewire 10TB HD, the Add button appears if I want to import from the computer, but not hard drives>

GoldingD

Legend

 I am running on Mac OS ventura 13.2.1.

for how long have you had Ventura?

and did the MACOS get updated recently as well?

And is the Ext HD new, and a SSD?

G

GarethSenAuthor

Inspiring

I have been using the SSD over a year

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