New to Lightroom

[Steven Draper]

Hello and many thanks in advance for reading and helping if you can.

I am learning LR1.1 after a couple of years with Aperture. My main use is data management as I generally use a Capture NX raw conversion to TIFF and then process in CS2/3, although I see the quick develop for general evaluations or when speed is a primary factor a useful tool as is the similar feature set in Aperture!

In Aperture there is the ability to create new metadata fields, and save them into a preset. For example in my aviation collection I created the fields Airline, Registration etc which made searching and sorting a neat and tidy experience!!!!

I'm afraid I am yet to see the revolution, largely as I use CS2 plugins, I often end up creating several file versions. Is there a solution to have LR automatically load the new versions of the files into the appropriate folder?

Thanks

[digitaldog]

In Aperture there is the ability to create new metadata fields, and save them into a preset.

You can't make custom metadata fields but you can make as many metadata templates with differing info you can pick any number of ways (even at import) to place the data in existing fields.

I'm afraid I am yet to see the revolution, largely as I use CS2 plugins, I often end up creating several file versions. Is there a solution to have LR automatically load the new versions of the files into the appropriate folder?

Not sure I understand what you're asking.

[MBehrens]

Is there a solution to have LR automatically load the new versions of the files into the appropriate folder?
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Not "automatic" but,
In Library - Right-Click on the folder and select Synchonize Folder...

I think there is a Watch Folder that can be defined for tethered shooting. I don't use it and don't immediately see it. Others may know and use.

Morey

[Steven Draper]

Many thanks.

The sync folder seems to be what I was looking for - cannot recall it being mentioned in any of the tutorials I have seen to date.

It is a pitty that I cannot create custom metadata or "search" fields at this moment in time as they are a very nice feature to categorize specialist subjects and then list the files according to specific groupings akin to a spreadsheet.  I know I can still search, but I'll have to see what I can do about lists.

[digitaldog]

It is a pitty that I cannot create custom metadata or "search" fields at this moment in time as they are a very nice feature to categorize specialist subjects and then list the files according to specific groupings akin to a spreadsheet.  I know I can still search, but I'll have to see what I can do about lists.
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You might want to look into keywording.

[john beardsworth]

I agree with the need to have custom fields and have suggested this to Adobe. The best implementation is in Extensis Portfolio where you can choose the type of the field (eg date, numbers with x decimals, drop down list, memo etc).

Right now you have 2 choices in LR - Keywords or Collections. In each case you can build up a hierarchical structure. If you use keywords, you might name the base keyword with an underscore or other character, so they sort before regular keywords. Also note that any keyword can be defined so it doesn't export, which lets you prevent those internal categorizations getting into files you send out. You have to be careful with these though - make sure every level of the hierarchy is set not to export. If you use Collections, this isn't currently an issue as export files don't contain Collection info. With keywords, you can define the list externally in a text file and then import them.

John

[Steven Draper]

John, Digital Dog, many thanks.

I'll have a play with the key word and title / caption text and see if this enables me to generate the kind of search lists required.

I'm glad to see I am not the only person with a wish for this feature!!!