Batch Rename with a Twist - Impossible task?

[rrogers444]

Hello,

My naming convention for importing files consists of the short date, custom text, sequence #. 

   Example 020207 - State Fair - 1

Apparently in 2011 amd prior, I was using 02 02 07 - State Fair - 1.   So, if I am working on a project and export I don't have chronological order of the export.  Plus it drives my OCD nuts!  I use keywords liberally, so finding the pics I am looking for is easy, but I still want to standardize my catalog naming convention.  I cannot figure out a way in Batch Rename to change the date format while preserving the custom text and sequence number.  I could just append the new date at the front by using the "YYMMDD - Filename"  but this is kinda hokie.  I also cannot use Original Filename, because many of them were imported with custom text other than what they have currently.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Thanks,

Rich

[Tony_See]

Are you saying that the spaces in the naming convention template (as written above) are breaking your ability to chronologically Export?

I don't get the link you make between the Import naming template you are using and your loss of Export control chronologically as you say . . .

I don't believe LR Classic (if that's what you are using) has a Batch rename ability of the degree you are seeking.

But I get the wish to have that as useful.

[rrogers444]

Yes, it impacts how the pics are sorted in 3rd party programs I use to build slideshows.  For instance 020202 is a higher number than 03 02 02, because it just counts the second number as 3 for sorting purposes, where the other is counted as 20,202.

[Ussnorway]

so is your workflow; Bridge 1st then Lightroom or just Lightroom?

[rrogers444]

Direct to Lightroom, but when I was young and not quite as bright sometimes I would forget to change the import name.  Plus prior to Lightroom I used Photoshop Elements.  That is why the original filename does not help me.

Rich

[johnrellis]

To test my understanding, you want to rename a large number of files from your old format "02 02 07 - State Fair - 1" to your new format "020207 - State Fair - 1"? If that's correct, then I think you'll have to use a plugin:

1. Use the LR/Transporter plugin to export a CSV file with two columns, the full path of the old-format files and the filename of those files.

2. Use a text editor with pattern-matching find-replace or with keystroke macros to change the filename column in the CSV file to the new format.

3. Use the LR/Transporter plugin to import the edited CSV file, loading the filename column into an unused metadata field, e.g. Headline.;

4. Do Library > Rename Photos with a renaming template that renames the photos using the contents of the metadata field Headline.

[Use the reply button under the first post to ensure replies sort properly.]

[rrogers444]

John,

This looks like the ticket!  I need to research a little on pattern matching text editors, unless you have a suggestion.  But your solution seems to be completely feasible.  Some work involved but MUCH less than the alternative.  I will try it out on a test folder once I have found a text editor.  Thanks for your thoughtful response.

Rich

[john beardsworth]

See this article http://lightroomsolutions.com/articles/complex-file-renaming-in-lightroom-made-simpler/

[rrogers444]

John,  This is an interesting approach.  It is more manual that what John Rellis proposed, but this could work.  Using this method, I could take all pictures taken on the same date and remove the date text.  Then i could rename them using the headline and the date from the exif data.  I will try this and see if this will work for me.

Thanks,

Rich

[rrogers444]

John,

Sorry for the double replies.  I see on your page there is a "slice" option.  Could this be used to slice off the first x number of characters at the front that represent that date?

Is there a way to trial the plugin?

Thanks,

Rich

[john beardsworth]

Rich

Yes, "slice" does what you think, and one can use other methods such as removing any text before a character, a space, for example.

When you install the plugin, it works fully. It's just limited to processing 10 photos at a time while in trial mode.

I'd question that it's a more manual method, and the beauty is that you remain entirely within Lightroom with tools intended to make search and replace operations easy and transparent.

John

[rrogers444]

Hi John,

When I first read your post I thought I would have to replace each date set one at a time.  If I took one pic a day I would have to search and replace 365 dates.  But I see with Slice I could remove the first 8 characters from all files.  So I think the workflow is:

Transfer filename to Headline (without extension) > Slice first 7 from Headline > Rename in LR using metadata capture date + Headline.  This will work I am sure.

But - I cannot see the "slice" option in the plug in. See attachment.

Thanks for your help.

Rich

[john beardsworth]

It's "chars"

[rrogers444]

Hi John,

I must be dense today.  I do not see the slice option that shows on the screenshot on your site.  I was looking for a tutorial on how to use "char" to slice, but cannot find one.  What I see is below.

[john beardsworth · Accepted solution]

When you switch to Chars (which I'm renaming!), you see two boxes appear in Search For. From Character and To Character.