Lightroom: Restore features removed from Import in LR 6.2 / CC 2015.2

Hi Michael, if it's any help, I finally figured out how to revert to 6.1. I'm using the standalone version on Windows.

1. Make sure you have your serial number to hand before you start, as you'll need it for step 3
2. Uninstall Lightroom. (Pay attention to the option to preserve or delete your settings. You will probably want to keep them!)
3. Download and install 6.0:
https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/kb/...
4. Download and install the 6.1.1 patch:
http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjourn...

So I'm back on 6.1.1. Some hours wasted, but a big sigh of relief!

Hope that helps, and good luck!

Actually, you can still do your tried and true method - it just looks a bit different now. Uncheck the Select All checkbox at the top to deselect all of the images. Then select a range by shift-clicking. They now have a tiny white border showing they're selected. Then the checkmark is in the middle of one of the images, and it does work the same as the old one, checking all of the selected photos.

They're just hiding from you - they're now at the top of the Advanced panel, which is hidden under the gear icon.

Ah thanks for that, I'd lost where it was on the interface. The new location doesn't seem to make as much sense as before to me, since the import preset applies the settings over a range of sections, but there its not clear which components it applies to and seems like it would just be another import option among all the other individual import options.

Simple: I need everything that was there before. Nothing is superflous. And I need to have all the data at a single glance, just as it just to be. I may not (and usually don't) change many options on each import, but I need to verify most of the settings every time. I want to do this with a single browse through a single column, not by clicking through various fly-ins while having my eyes closed because the layout (spacing, font, text-on-background) is butt-ugly.

The previous import dialog was fine. Revert the change, and everyone is happy again. And I do mean "revert" - do NOT just amend the new dialog - the idea/logic of the new design is flawed, not just the implementation!

Hi Victoria,

Thanks for that!

"I rely on the Move option in the import dialog, because it lets me keep track of which files I have not yet imported."

Below is a description of my import workflow, to describe why I find the Move option essential:

* All incoming photos (from cameras, memory cards, email etc...) arrive in a temporary folder.
* I always import from that single folder into Lightroom. I may import the entire folder, or select a batch of photos at a time. On import, the files are renamed and organised into folders within the catalog, based on capture date.
* Importantly, the files are *Moved* from the temporary folder into the catalog folders. This way I know that any files remaining in the temporary folder still need to be dealt with.
* Without the Move option, I would need to manually delete the files from the temporary folder after importing. This is not only laborious but a wonderful opportunity for human error.
* Another example where Move is a lifesaver is the case of files which fail to import. For example, I recently had a batch of files which included a .wmv video clip. The fact that the .wmv file was left on its own in the temp folder after importing alerted me to the fact that the file needed special attention. Had I been copying/deleting, I would not have noticed the missing import until it was too late.

I rely on the Destination Folder to know exactly where my imported photos are going on my external HD. The Reject upon import was a nice automatic thing. Now I have to add an additional unnecessary step to my workflow. The ability to zoom in a look at a potential import and reject it because it;out of focus or whatever before it ever goes into the catalogue gave us the capability of saving time and disc space

Exactly!! Especially if a customized import preset is used monthly. No preview yesterday and my import went into Sept. because I had not updated my preset.

Items that I miss/why:
- File rename preview to double check it is correct before importing

- Total file size of files to be imported (this may alter my choice of destination)

- Folder preview (Destination folder only shows the last level but not the folder path and may lead to incorrect placement of files on drives with identical folders when performing multiple imports in succession)

- Bring back full display of filenames without using tool tips (Many times I wish to select several small subsets of event photos for quick onsite processing that I have made note of. I do not want to have to be scrolling through the 1000 photos on the SD card looking for the 16 photos I want by using tool tips to find my place in thumbnails that may look very similar. Entire card gets imported later)

Victoria, Many thanks for all your work with regards Lightroom, it was via your blog / newsletter that I learned f the impending troubles with Lr 6.2 / CC 2015.2 and made the concious decision not to upgrade.

There have been many consistent issues raised throughout the discussion here, many of which I probably cover below, but one aspect I struggle with from Adobes Product Simplification point of view is the potential catastrophic effect the new import could have on inexperienced users backup routines, should they even consider such thing important:

EXERT HERE:

BACKUP CONSIDERATIONS FOR NEW USERS
As a side note, lack of import destination folder preview also present huge implications for new users in terms of how such NEW and INEXPERIENCED users will handle their backups...... Since Lightroom only backs up the Lightroom Catalog database on exit (if set in preferences), how confused are new users going to be when they think Lr has been backing up their RAW images (or more likely terrible iphone jpgs they are converting to grainy monotone or other doggy filter effects) when in reality Lr has only backed up the catalog database? Given that the new import workflow gives even less indication as to final (raw / source image) destination within the users given storage environment, how are they supposed to configure their backup routines. - Lightroom continually wants to import to "Pictures" within the windows user account space..... I run on a PC with:

RAM: 16GB
SSD1: - OS / Applications
SSD2: - Lightroom Catolog & Preview cache
SSD3: - Camera raw / Photoshop cache / scratch and other temp dirs
Local HDD: - Current Working Raw Files
NAS (Raid 6): Archival network storage with redundant
NAS (Raid 6): Backup of above NAS

Now tell me the new simplified Import experience knows where to store my RAW images.... in C:\Users\James\Pictures ???? I THINK NOT

FULL RANT HERE:

Well, where to start really, as so many others, this really is a huge mistake on Adobes part.

Don't get me wrong, I know they need to expose the product to new users, but let's be honest, Lightroom isn't a simple image editor for the masses. Aside from Lr's extensive image editing capabilities, it supports, and forms the central backbone of many a professional and advanced amateur photographers workflow, functioning as both Digital Asset Management and Image Editor.

If their new target audience can't handle a few options allowing them to work flexibly and understand simple concepts like: move on import, the need to review images prior to import, import target folder destinations/previews, file renaming conventions, metadata tagging etc, then frankly, they have no business using such software. Why mess up the workflow of many professionals that rely on the software for their livelihood.

If adobe really want to break in to the general consumer / casual market, then one of two options would surely be more viable than Lr 6.2 / CC2015.2, both in terms of the current/established professional/experienced user base, and the requirements of a more emergent consumer driven sector:

1) An entirely new product focussed on the casual / inexperienced user - i.e Lr Lite.
or
2) A single product that supports both advanced workflows for established / professional users, as well as a simplified wizard / tutorial driven option that guides new users in to the software, and instils a willingness to learn the more advanced features and workflows as required, while allowing them to gain the most from the software and the option to utilise the full capabilities of Lightroom.

Now, on to some examples.

What's Missing:

-Option to Move files on import - use quite regularly, particularly if I'm importing only certain sessions from a multi-session shoot. In such circumstances, I configure different image sub-folders on the CF card in-camera for each session during the shoot.

-Destination folder preview - always used. Given that my workflow places significant emphasis on where images are physically stored after import, I really need to know exactly where they are being imported to: I use a single catalog, with local SSD, Local HDD and archival NAS (raid 6), with images moving diversely through these storage media. Long storey short, I need to know where my RAW (cr2) files are. Additional backup considerations apply - See Note 1 Below.

-Ability to fully review Images for Import - Loss of zoom function removes the ability to realistically review images for critical sharpness etc at import. Now I have to Import all, render previews, review, remove and waste CPU time as well as my time.

-Auto un-mount / ejection of media cards - Seriously - your new target audience can't navigate a few simple options in a UI??? What makes you think they can manage to safely remove a USB drive / media card from the host PC / Mac... operating system??? - "Can't you just pull it out???? Corrupt data/card's here we come, courtesy of adobes improved import process.

-Ability to import duplicates
What's Wrong:

-Well, everything!

-Do not want phone inspired landing screen for import that scans my whole PC for potential import sources. My workflow dictates where my image will be: (CF Card / Working Local Storage / NAS)

-UI is totally inconsistent with the rest of Lightroom

-Lacks many essential features (lost)

-Images for import are greyed out, and have large tick-mark icon in centre, while unselected (will not import) images are highlighted and un-obscured...... SO how am I supposed to review import candidates during my workflow, when the image is greyed out, and has a huge tick in its centre?

-If your new user base can't handle simple file imports into a powerful image database / DAM / Editor, how are they going to grasp concepts in the Develop Module: Crop, White Balance, Exposure, White Point, Black Point, Highlight / Shadow Recover, Saturation, Vibrancy, Hue/Saturation/Luminescence, Split Toning, Noise Reduction & Sharpening, Lens/Camera calibrations and corrections, Colour Space etc... Shall we just dump those down too? There must be a button we can create that will lock everyone in to a single workflow and creative philosophy that will result in millions of images of identical phone / Instagram inspired mediocrity.

----By-The-Way---- I took a lovely picture of my mediocre lunch today, applied an epic filter and posted to Facebook / Intagram for all my friends to see..... you may note a slightly facetious tone in my voice..........

Kind of lost the will to go on....

There's enough covered here already, and if Adobe don't want t listen, then realistically, my Lightroom/Photoshop CC subscription will be ending come renewal time.

Note 1: - BACKUP CONSIDERATIONS FOR NEW USERS

As a side note, lack of import destination folder preview also present huge implications for new users in terms of how such NEW and INEXPERIENCED users will handle their backups...... Since Lightroom only backs up the Lightroom Catalog database on exit (if set in preferences), how confused are new users going to be when they think Lr has been backing up their RAW images (or more likely terrible iphone jpgs they are converting to grainy monotone or other doggy filter effects) when in reality Lr has only backed up the catalog database? Given that the new import workflow gives even less indication as to final (raw / source image) destination within the users given storage environment, how are they supposed to configure their backup routines. - Lightroom continually wants to import to "Pictures" within the windows user account space..... I run on a PC with:

RAM: 16GB
SSD1: - OS / Applications
SSD2: - Lightroom Catolog & Preview cache
SSD3: - Camera raw / Photoshop cache / scratch and other temp dirs
Local HDD: - Current Working Raw Files
NAS (Raid 6): Archival network storage with redundant
NAS (Raid 6): Backup of above NAS

Now tell me the new simplified Import experience knows where to store my RAW images.... in C:\Users\James\Pictures ???? I THINK NOT

Agreed. They can't be Lightroom AND Picasa. Either be the professional photography app, or be the low-end image editor... take your pick.

I tested some of covorkers not familiar much with Lightrom. NO ONE find it intuitive. Yes, they were able to import... but just that. Where picture went, and any other setting, remained mistery.