Maintain folder structures on import

[davisbot]

Add an option to preserve empty folder structures on import!

Often I or an assistant editor will create a folder structure in the finder with empty folders to be populated with media later on in the production workflow (i.e. Final mix stems, color files, graphics). Currently if you import empty folders or folders with only one item in them, those empty folders disappear on import and the single item that was inside them is left outside any folder. This prevents planning and proper organization, and I'm not sure what the benefit of it is? Fewer folders? But I wanted those, that's why I made them.

Just leave the folder structures as they are, don't change them. If some users want an option to "automatically remove empty folders on import" then add that, but don't make removing them the default.


Importing empty folder structures is an essential organizational tool for any medium to large scale professional production. I made this same request in May of 2018 and have never gotten a response or seen it addressed, I really I hope I do this time!

[James5FC9]

What's so fusrtraing about this is that it used to be how PP worked. But then a few edge cases came up where this workflow caused problems but instead of fixing the workflow for those edge cases they just removed the feature for everone. Ughhh!

[Burke27460350jx8u]

Is there a way to keep the folder structure when there is only one clip in a folder during import into Premiere? Videos are only kept in folders if there are only more than 2 of them in a folder. 

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hi Burke,

Sorry about that. Please upvote this feature request; https://community.adobe.com/t5/premiere-pro-ideas/maintain-folder-structures-on-import/idi-p/1351592...

Add any comments there, if you like.

Thanks,
Kevin

[stantonk25895590]

When I import a folder in Premier Pro that only has one file, Premiere omits the master folder and just imports the file. This is a major major problem when they decide how to override my organization choices. For example if I import a folder titled "Stage Left Go Pro" and the file inside is "GX010005.MP4," Premiere omits the Stage Left folder and just imports GX010005.MP4.  The same occurs if there is another nested folder with the name GoPro and another file inside that. If it is only one file, Premiere throws out all folders but the root file. Imagine when you have several Go Pros labeled with various locations. This can get quite confusing. Adobe is helping no one with this software choice, although I consider it a bug or a flaw and it needs to change immediately. So annoying and time consuming. 

[Ann Bens]

Known issue: file a feature request.

[Remote Index]

@Francis-Crossman 

@Kevin-Monahan 

If this is a "known issue" it is not listed in Adobe documentation.

https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/kb/known-issues.html

R.

[R Neil Haugen]

"Known issue" as in well known pain point across the user base.

However, it's not technically a bug or problem with code in any respect, simply a design choice. Therefore, not on the "known problems" list.

And there's probably several Bug filings about it on this forum. Upvote them all.

Neil

[Remote Index]

R Neil Haugen,

I find your belief that systematic, cogent decision-making is the basis for the "Known Issues" documentation entertainingly optimistic.

A reminder - if anyone from Adobe is reading this - that localized versions for "Known Issues" on 23.4 are still not updated.

R.

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hi @stantonk25895590,

I'll move your request into the thread discussing this issue. I hope that's OK.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Kevin-Monahan]

@Remote Index,

It is a feature request not a known issue with the current version. Known issues are only issues for the current version.

I merged the post into the proper request. The product team can make comments as to why it works this way. I prefer that it worked as expected where even if the folder contains a single clip or no clips, the folder structure should still be maintained for organizational purposes.

I agree that the documentation is sparse regarding this issue and should be more explicit in the section "How do I retain folder structures..." here: https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/premiere-pro-faq-import-export-header.html

I will file a request with the docs team after the weekend. I hope that's OK.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hello @Remote Index,

Thanks for your post. Known issues are published for 23.4. There is a delay in the localized version of this document, which is typical for all new documentation. I'll have to ask for your patience on that while the localization team completes their review. I hope that's OK.

Cheers,
Kevin

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hi @davisbot,

Thanks for the post. I hope that this feature will be impletmented ASAP for you. In the meantime, here is an article with a workaround for you. I agree with you and upvoted your request.

Thanks,
Kevin

[erono6468563]

it's not just about folder structures to start projects.  although that is a big issue.  the other issue is continually bringing in folders of gfx and footage thoughout the course of a project that are organized well on the finder level but become just loose video files in a premiere project.  when a project has hunderds of files it is essential to keep the organization that is created on the finder level.

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hi @erono6468563,

I read your message. I have a similar set up with bins containing lots of assets, including graphics, sound effects, music, and VFX that I wish to reuse in many projects. I have created a separate project for each of these elements. I then create a production containing these projects and they're always available when I create a new project within the production. I was thinking this might be a nice workaround for you while we wait for this feature to get implemented.

Thanks,

Kevin

[erono6468563]

thank you for your reply.  I have a project like that too, for when I start projects.  the problem obviously begins when more footage and gfx need to be added into a project, and the folder structure on the finder needs to be duplicated in premiere.  Also "productions" do not work well for my profesional workflow, as they work in a very disjointed way, and have very specific media management challenges that are not intuitive.  but thank you.  Team projects are amazing!  I can't wait for the issue to be resolved.... will save me hours!

[Remote Index]

@erono6468563

"productions" do not work well for my profesional workflow, as they work in a very disjointed way, and have very specific media management challenges that are not intuitive.

Hello erono etc.,

While this may be thread-adjacent, I'd be interested in hearing about your specific workflow and poduction / media management issues.

R.

[Harold SIlva B.]

Debe tener al menos un archivo que PrPro "reconozca" en cada carpeta para que PrPro importe la carpeta.

Así que... Necesita tener medios "ficticios" en cada carpeta que aún no tenga algo. Luego elimínelo cuando le agregue los elementos adecuados.

[erono6468563]

today is my favorite day "Mirror OS Directory on import" is in Beta.  thank you!!!

[Eddie S]

Thanks be to God

[dhlawrence]

Finally!!!

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hey Everyone!

I see that you have discovered the new feature in Beta. The community upvotes have definitely made the feature a priority. Thanks all!

I just saw the demo myself this morning and I reported to the team that this has been a strong feature request for some time. I apologize that it took so long.

@Wes Howell, who is on the team, may be able to answer any specific questions about the feature. Let us know!

Thanks,
Kevin

[davisbot]

Thanks Kevin! This is great news!!

[WesHowellPPro]

Thanks @Kevin-Monahan 

let's track any conversations on the specific thread - just posted.  

https://community.adobe.com/t5/premiere-pro-beta-discussions/now-in-beta-mirror-os-directory-structu...

[Moozer]

I just want those notifications in my inbox to keep on coming as we all celebrate that importing folders structures is no longer BROKEN!! Yay, back to the many many many years of using premiere when this 'feature' worked the way it always did. 
THANK YOU everyone who's been involved in fixing this, including community posting here - my blood pressure would go up everytime I'd set up a new project haha.