P: Auto Import Settings remember "Add To Collection" previous state

[John R Ellis]

File > Auto Import > Auto Import Settings forgets the previous setting of Add To Collection and always displays it unchecked, even when it was previously checked.

Tested on LR 12.1 / Mac OS 12.6.1.

To reproduce:

1.Do File > Auto Import > Auto Import Settings.

2. Check Enable Auto Import and Add To Collection, selecting an existing collection.

3. Verify Auto Import works by dragging a photo into the watched folder.

4. Do File > Auto Import > Auto Import Settings and observe that Add To Collection is unchecked (bug).

This bug has been around since time immemorial, but the original bug report appears to have gotten lost. See these threads for relatively recent reports of the issue:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/problem-auto-import-to-a-collection/m-p...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/auto-import-s-quot-add-to-collection/m-...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/collection-in-autoimport/td-p/13563934

[Oryk HAIST]

I can't select a collection in 'autoimport' options.

Autoimported photos will not be added to the selected collection.

If I reopen the options the checkmark is gone.

-Oryk

[richardplondon]

Just to check - have you chosen a standard collection, not a smart collection or a collection set?

[Oryk HAIST]

... it's a sub-collection synchronized with Lightroom.

-Oryk

[John R Ellis]

I tested Auto Import with Add To Collection just now. At first, it didn't work. But then I restarted my LR, reconfigured Auto Import Settings, and it now works.

Note there is an ancient bug where Auto Import Settings forgets that Add To Collection was enabled.  When you enable the option and click OK, it works correctly, adding auto-imported photos to the collection, but when you reopen Auto Import Settings, Add To Collection is unchecked -- you have to re-check it before clicking OK:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-bugs/auto-import-settings-forgets-that-add-to-colle...

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

I found this note from the team the last time the bug was filed. It was closed as 'as designed'

"There is an option in import panel "Add to Collection" where user can add images to particular collection after import is done. The "Add to Collection" checkbox is not sticky in import panel also. The behaviour is same in auto import and import panel. "

[John R Ellis]

"It was closed as 'as designed'

What did the original product manager have in mind when specifying Auto Import's Add To Collection was not sticky? I can't come up with a plausible use case.

How could it possibly make sense that the destination folder is sticky while the destination collection is not? I think it's the only non-sticky option in LR.  As evidenced by the posts, many users have been confused by this.

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

We can convert this to a feature request if you like @John R Ellis 

[John R Ellis]

Yes please, thanks.

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

I suppose 'sticky' is the way to go.  Would we want it to remember previous setting either way?

[John R Ellis]

"Would we want it to remember previous setting either way?"

I think so.