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jdkoerner
jdkoerner
Known Participant
December 20, 2014
Answered

Why is a file a suspected duplicate

  • December 20, 2014
  • 1 reply
  • 32107 views

I have a file called wyz.tiff [never converted to any other format] in a catalog folder.  I remove the photo from the folder because I want to move it into the folder that contains it on the hard-drive but convert the name to subject_1001.tiff [there are nine of these shots in a row.  Also the catalog structure is the same as the HD ]. However, although the file is no longer in the catalog under any name, in the import window it is still a suspected duplicate.  Why?  Is it because there is already a smart preview existing somewhere?  I don't want to uncheck the "don't import suspected duplicates" because that will show files that are duplicates

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer dj_paige

They were in the catalog, removed from the catalog, and then I attempting to import them into the catalog with new file names

This is certainly not an efficient workflow, you could just move the file in Lightroom and then rename it (but even so, it would be simpler to put it in the desired folder in the first place so you don't have to move it later)

then I attempting to import them into the catalog with new file names [but in original tiff format]. That results in the suspected duplicates gray out.

When Lightroom greys out a photo in the Import dialog box, it is because this file already appears to be in Lightroom. It doesn't matter that you think its not already in Lightroom, because if Lightroom thinks the photos is in the catalog, then you have to figure out why Lightroom thinks this. Lightroom help says "Lightroom determines a photo is a duplicate of another file in the catalog if it has the same, original filename; the same Exif capture date and time; and the same file size." So you need to search your entire catalog in Lightroom for a photo with the same name. To do this, use ALL of the following steps:

  1. Click on ALL PHOTOGRAPHS in the Catalog Panel
  2. Turn off all filters (Ctrl-L or Cmd-L) once or twice
  3. Expand all stacks: Photo->Stacking->Expand All Stacks
  4. Search using the filter bar for one of these photos by File name

1 reply

JP Hess
JP Hess
Inspiring
December 20, 2014

Did you move and rename the file using Lightroom, or did you use your operating system browser?

jdkoerner
jdkoernerAuthor
Known Participant
December 20, 2014

The files have not been moved.  They were in the catalog, removed from the catalog, and then I attempting to import them into the catalog with new file names [but in original tiff format]. That results in the suspected duplicates gray out.  The underlying files have remained in the same place on the HD

D
dj_paigeCorrect answer
Brainiac
December 20, 2014

They were in the catalog, removed from the catalog, and then I attempting to import them into the catalog with new file names

This is certainly not an efficient workflow, you could just move the file in Lightroom and then rename it (but even so, it would be simpler to put it in the desired folder in the first place so you don't have to move it later)

then I attempting to import them into the catalog with new file names [but in original tiff format]. That results in the suspected duplicates gray out.

When Lightroom greys out a photo in the Import dialog box, it is because this file already appears to be in Lightroom. It doesn't matter that you think its not already in Lightroom, because if Lightroom thinks the photos is in the catalog, then you have to figure out why Lightroom thinks this. Lightroom help says "Lightroom determines a photo is a duplicate of another file in the catalog if it has the same, original filename; the same Exif capture date and time; and the same file size." So you need to search your entire catalog in Lightroom for a photo with the same name. To do this, use ALL of the following steps:

  1. Click on ALL PHOTOGRAPHS in the Catalog Panel
  2. Turn off all filters (Ctrl-L or Cmd-L) once or twice
  3. Expand all stacks: Photo->Stacking->Expand All Stacks
  4. Search using the filter bar for one of these photos by File name
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