Lock Keyword List?

[Bob Rockefeller]

Is there a way to lock the keywords in Lightroom's database so that imports of new, tagged, images don't add their keywords to the list?

It's a pain to import a group of images from Aperture, for example, that have keyword tags assigned, but that don't match the key wording in Lightroom. I'd like to just apply Lightroom's arrangement rather than having to cull out Aperture's.

[RikkFlohr]

There is a way to apply a Metadata Preset during import that overwrites the existing keywords with new keywords.

Create a Metadata preset with no items checked except Keywords.
Check Keywords but leave the field blank. (A message should appear in the Preset box telling you it will clear existing metadata).
Save this as a new metadata preset called  Clear Keywords.
When you import, in the Apply During Import section, select your Clear Keywords preset.

The files should import into Lightroom and clear the keywords in the process.

[Bob Rockefeller]

That's what I'll try. I will keep me from applying a different preset on import, but I could do that later.

Thanks!

[AFairley]

In that case, you should be able to import with development settings, then select all the imported photos in the "last import" collection and simply delete the keywords from the keyword field, no?

[Bob Rockefeller]

Yes. In either order. You just can't apply two metadata presents on import.

[RikkFlohr]

You could also build in the "Clear Keywords" option into your existing Metadata preset you've been using on import - unless you are applying keywords via the preset already.