Missing Files After Import

[steveg43889813]

I recently changed from Windows 7 pro to Windows 10 and reinstalled Elements 2018. I have an Old Windows file (which is on another drive) with my pictures (thousands) but even when I import new photos (or old ones) into a clean organizer and I go to max size, it says missing file. Some of the pictures will quickly locate the file while others go off looking in obscure areas. Some, after a lot of time, will locate the picture in my Old Windows file (if it exists there) and some never find the file, event thought it was just imported.  I imported them into C:Users/me/Pictures/date. HELP!

[Little_Pale_Face]

Hi,

When you import images using Get Photos and Videos from Files and Folders, the organizer does not actually copy them it just indexes them. If you import from a disk like this and then remove that disk or delete the images from that disk, you wwill end up with missing files. The thumbnail will probably show a question mark in the top right corner.

If you are importing from files and folders, then I assume that you are not interested in the tags or album used on your old system. In this case you could copy your images from the old disk to the new disk using file explorer. Once the files are in place, then import them into the organizer.

The normal way of moving from an old system to a new one is to backup the catalog on the old system and then restore on your new system. This carries all o your information across.

See this for more information

Move Elements Organizer catalog

Brian

[steveg43889813]

Thanks for your reply. I had tried the organizer with files from a memory card. I tried importing all the old files (originally from Elements 4, 6, 9 and 11) and only about half imported with the other half notified as too damaged. The ones that did import still can't be found by the organizer. The editor can open any of the files, regardless of where there are stored, and for all formats. The organizer will not open files created by my new Olympus camera when using their format (jpgs are fine). Yes, I have updated the program. I have had only minor problems with previous Elements, but this one is just trouble.

[Little_Pale_Face]

Hi,

Q1

How did you import the files from the memory card?

- If you used Get from Files and folders, then the organizer didn't copy them anywhere, they are still on the memory card but the organizer marks them as missing if you remove the memory card.

- If you used get from camera or card reader then you have the option of where they are copied to - see following in red

If the files are damaged then you could try again.

Q2

When you say the ones that did import still can't be found by the organizer, do you mean that they don't show up as a thumbnail or that they have a question mark in the top right corner?

If the thumbnails do show up but when you try to edit them they can't be found, then ensure the info panel is open on the right side of the organizer  [the info/tags panel can be toggled on/off by the button bottom right of the organizer]. Select one of the photos anf the information panel will tell you where the organizer thinks the image is saved.

Q3

You mentioned that some of the images were from versions 4, 6, 9 and 11. When you upgrade from one version to the next, you normally allow the organizer to convert the catalog. If you 2018 catalog was converted from the previous version (11) then there should not be a need to import the photos again. The organizer doesn't import duplicates unless you override it.

Q4

Do you have any backups of the catalogs?

Q5

Which model is your new Olympus?

As you probably know, each manufacturer keeps tweaking their camera raw format. Adobe has to rework its camera raw once the camera is available to buy. This process can take a couple of months. Which version of camera raw do you have? [In the editor, load  any JPG and go to the Help menu and select About Plug-in -> Camera raw - the latest is 10.2

Hope that all makes sense and helps

Brian

[cz35895897]

Steve,

Also do a quick search for "missing files after import" in this forum.

There are numerous post, causes and workarounds. My method is to write all the metadata into the files using the old computer and software. Then physically copying ALL the files to the new computer/operating system, and building a new catalog. I do this because I have had issues with importing because the software considered some photos to be duplicates, then on other occasions when it had a photo, it would declare it missing because the size or date did not match what it though it was supposed to be in the old catalog. It would not even reconnect it automatically! Hence the somewhat radical procedure of a new catalog which ALWAYS works (other than the pictures it corrupts on import, but that is another story all together)

[Little_Pale_Face]

Hi CZ,

With your method don't you lose all the information about albums, version sets & other stacks. Sounds like a last resort to me. I haven't had problems converting old catalogs to new which is the first thing I would try.

When suffering from "Missing Files" it is important to try and establish why they are missing.

Brian

[cz35895897]

You are absolutely right about what to try first and last. Which points out the workflow aspect of photo editing. I hardly ever use stacks, version sets or photo albums. Instead I prefer the on the fly method of Boolean searches in PSE2018. It is really a great search engine. So for me I lose nothing in terms of functionality and gain everything in terms of robustness.

Also writing metadata to the file is a routine that is pretty much standard across most photo editing/organizing packages, while the Catalog function while also common, is not always the same in execution. I have yet to have metadata let me down, while the Catalog is another matter.

Also I agree that its important to figure out the missing files cause. But changing the software version AND the Operating System introduces many "ifs". Just need to be aware that if anything other than the Organizer moves your files, you may then experience "Missing Files". Well may is the wrong word, you will experience missing files.

[raoulm71990623]

I'm having the same problem. I import files from my camera to my workstation using Organizer, but when I click on the directory name in Organizer, no files appear. The files are on my hard drive. It's just that Organizer cannot see them. Using Adobe Elements Organizer 12.0