P: Set a default import source folder

[WildWanderer]

Because Lightroom doesn't offer the option to move files off an SD card (vote for that capability here), I never import photos directly from an SD card. However, I often have an SD card inserted into my computer's reader (it's usually empty because I've just moved the photos somewhere Lightroom finds acceptable to move the photos from instead of just copying or adding them). This means Lightroom's import dialog always defaults to the SD card that I never use. 

Lightroom should provide an option so set a default import source folder ("import from" folder). Even defaulting to the last used import folder would be nice. 

[Jeff_Warner]

Exactly. I 'manually' import to a Master folder first, and then import into Lightroom. Every freaking time I have to navigate the Import pane to the same Disk/Folder, it's such a waste of time.

[JohanElzenga]

You do not have to 'navigate'. There is a long list of recently used source folders available if you click on the Source drop down menu. Of course it would be better if you could set one folder as default, but this is much easier than really navigating in the panel.

[WildWanderer]

Of course it would be better if you could set one folder as default

@JohanElzenga This is all you need in your reply. These community suggestions are for making the product better, not making excuses for why it's maybe good enough.  

[richardplondon]

Sure, good idea, the ability to define a remembered import source would be convenient. Written into an import preset?

I do support the option to delete images from SD card after import, as the linked Idea, and agree there are use cases where that would be helpful. But this is not the same thing as moving images off the SD card, and does not require that ability.

Lightroom Classic can already COPY files off SD card directly to a final location. I can't see how moving images somewhere else temporary so that LrC can then move them again to your desired location, can be less work than that.

If LrC could then selectively delete whatever it had just copied (which is the meat of the linked Idea, if I understand correctly) then this achieves the identical end result and with a much smaller change impact AFAICT.

Another thought: is it even necessary for these images to disappear from the SD card. What if (optionally) LrC set some metadata flag on files within the SD card, when they participate in a (Copy) import. And what if (optionally) a future Import session referred to that file metadata as well as checking what that Catalog already contained. Then we could exclude all images that had already been imported by LrC, even if that had been into a different Catalog. And do so more economically, rapidly and safely IMO. And one could still then import those images anyway, if so desired.

[JohanElzenga]

@WildWanderer Why the hostility? I wasn't making excuses. I do not work for Adobe, so I have no reason to make excuses on their behalf. All I was trying to do is help you to make your workflow a little more efficient, giving the limitation that I acknowledged and can't change for you. Unfortunately some people don't seem to appreciate that. So be it. Other people reading this thread may still benefit from my reply.

[WildWanderer]

@JohanElzenga Fair enough. I apologize. To me, your recommendation is not good enough and I want to see my suggestion implemented, but you're right - others may find that suggestion perfectly adequate for their needs and may not have realized it's there. 

[Jeff_Warner]

@JohanElzenga  I most certainly do have to 'navigate', probably 97% of the time, and I have no idea why I don't 3% of the time. You really do seem to frequently make excuses on Adobe's part for inane software implementations. 

[JohanElzenga]

@Jeff_Warner As I said to WildWanderer as well, I do not make excuses. I completely agree with your feature request. However, and that is perhaps where we are different, as long as Adobe has not acted on such request, I like to help people with suggestions for workarounds. My remark about not having to navigate the source panel, because Lightroom keeps a long list of recent source folders, is such a work around. Most people appreciate that, but clearly not all. So be it.

[Jeff_Warner]

@JohanElzenga Let's be honest here, neither the OP nor I asked for workarounds from anyone on the forum, but rather are alerting Adobe both to the lame 'feature' as currently implemented, and to what appears to be a bug (e.g. the inconsistent behavior) and so that they can fix it (yes, I'm aware there is a specfic 'bug' page). Additionally, you informed me that I "do not have to navigate", when that is most certainly what I must do 97% of the time. Telling me that I don't need to 'navigate' seems rather unhelpful in this case, just so you know, from my perspective. 

[Bob Somrak]

@Jeff_Warner 

LrC doesn't do what you want now so you will either have to use the workarounds cordialy provided by @JohanElzenga or @richardplondon or figure out your own or hope Adobe changes things.

[Geoff the kiwi]

@Jeff_Warner  no one remarked on your percentages. I suggest you post in Bugs with your issue and a reproducible manner or with a screen video.

MODERATOR

[JohanElzenga]

@Jeff_Warner said: "Let's be honest here, neither the OP nor I asked for workarounds from anyone on the forum, but rather are alerting Adobe both to the lame 'feature' as currently implemented, and to what appears to be a bug (e.g. the inconsistent behavior) and so that they can fix it (yes, I'm aware there is a specfic 'bug' page). Additionally, you informed me that I "do not have to navigate", when that is most certainly what I must do 97% of the time. Telling me that I don't need to 'navigate' seems rather unhelpful in this case, just so you know, from my perspective."

OK, a plain and simple question, because we seem to be going around in circles. If you are interested in a default source folder, then I assume you always (or at least most of the time) use the same source folder. Otherwise having the option to set a default folder would not solve your problem. So are you saying that if you click on Select a Source...

...you do not get a long list of recently used source folders, including a number of standard defaults (like your Desktop folder) at the top of that list, and the rest of the list sorted by last time used (I sometimes have to click twice before the list appears)?

If you do get this list, then I don't understand how you would possibly still have to navigate the panel 97% of the time (and why you think a default setting would solve this), because that could only mean that 97% of the time you are looking for a source folder that you have never ever used before, so it's not in this list. And if you select 'Other Source...' in this list, then you will get to standard OS open dialog, allowing you to select that folder much faster than by navigating the panel.

That is why I said you never need to navigate the Lightroom folder panel. You never have to do that if you don't want to.

If you don't get that list at all, then you may have a technical problem with your copy of Lightroom. Perhaps resetting the preferences would solve that. 

[WildWanderer]

If you do get this list, then I don't understand how you would possibly still have to navigate the panel 97% of the time (and why you think a default setting would solve this)

Default means it's preselected. If you've clicked into the source menu, congratulations - you just navigated it. This is an unnecessary extra step that would be avoided if one could set a default source folder. You could then click Import from the library and already be where you need to be in one step. 

[JohanElzenga]

I know what default means and I already said several times now that I agree with your request. However, this list is much more convenient than navigating the panel all the time, especially because your often used source folder will be at the top of the Recents list. I wonder if you even knew it existed, but don't bother to answer that. I have upvoted your request, that is all I can do.

[Keith Reeder]

Explaining something to you - something which clearly needed to be explained - isn't "making excuses."

[WildWanderer]

your often used source folder will be at the top of the Recents list. I wonder if you even knew it existed

I already acknowledged the source list in my reply. You must have missed it. Again, opening the source list at all is an extra, unnecessary step. So then, I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. I know the recently-used folders are in the source list. I don't want to open the source list. I want my chosen folder to be selected so my photos to import are already shown. I want to click the Import button from the library and already be ready to go - no source list needed at all unless I want to import from something other than the default folder. 

[Jeff_Warner]

@Keith Reeder  Nothing needs to be explained here except Adobe's rationale for designing things the way they do. John seems to frequently assume people are idiots when he responds (this is not the first time, and yes, I understand he's trying to be helpful). Here is my issue with all of this, lest you assume I haven't been using the LR interface since v.1:

This is close to being usable, and yet not that usable because they effed it up in several ways.  The 'Recent Items' folder should show the recent source folder you imported from, not the *actual* last folder you imported. Why would you want to default to selecting the last folder you already imported? [I acknowledge there are use cases where this would be useful, but not as the default behavior.]

I get the OP's point, and yes, I added on the 97/3% 'bug', which works into the workflow aspect for the times when you are repeatedly importing from the same source folder. We should be able to assign default locations to import from in an asset management tool like Lightroom, as many of us do the same/similar actions every single day.