Move and Import Batch - doesn't work as expected

[quadrox]

New problem description:

This output queue causes problems:


It results in the following file structure:


The catalog looks like this:


The images in the catalog point to the images in the assets folder, instead of the "photos/2011/2011_12_24" folder.


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Old Problem Description
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As part of the new way of dealing with catalogs in Aftershot, I decided to develop a new import process - however, something is not working as expected.

The new process consists of having one folder for not-yet imported files, and a different folder where I would slowly build up my catalog. I browse to the "new photos" folder in the File System view, where I will add metadata and make any basic edits that I deem immediately necessary (straighten horizons, fix exposure, etc...).

For the next step I created two new output batches:

1) Convert to JPG
This batch exports to a 85% jpg in a separate jpg-only folder, then moves the raw file to another separate folder for later deletion. This batch is for basic snapshots that are not high quality to begin with and won't be edited in the future. The separate jpg folder is there so I can easily see what I need to remember to import, and the separate RAW folder is to make it easy to delete the now obsolete RAW files.

If it was possible to convert to jpg, import the converted jpg, and then delete the RAW file this would be preferrable. As it is, I need to do this acceptable workaround.

2) Import RAW
This batch moves the RAW file to my "photos" directory, in the typical [year]/[year]_[month]_[day] fashion. The batch is also marked to import the moved file to my catalog.

The Problem
Although my "Import RAW" batch moves the RAW files to the correct location in my "photos" folder, the import creates a duplicate in the catalogs assets folder, instead of correctly referencing the moved files in my "photos" folder. What's more, the folder in the assets catalog skips the [year] subfolder in the beginning, and is simply named [year]_[month]_[day].

[jknights]

I dont understand why you make JPGs and then delete the RAW file.
Dont you want to use the very nice non-destructive editing of ASP to allow the xmp to provide you with multiple versions that you can later output to JPG if you want.

Doing this saves disk space and allows you great flexibility.

Then you just import the RAW file into your catalog and this manages everything.


I used to work the way you do before I got Bibble5/ASP but found that it is much faster to just manage the RAW files and versions.
If you want PM me and I can give you some additional pointers.

Sorry if I havent fully answered your question.

[dFlyer]

RAW files are the negatives. Why would one trash the negatives? ASP is non-distructive so they are always untouched with the xmp files containing the mdoification data to the raw.

[quadrox]

I am fully aware of the advantages of RAW files, which is why I shoot RAW to begin with. However, I do take many pictures - 1000 on a shooting day is not uncommon - and far from all of them are keepers. The real keepers will always stay pure RAW - I do not want to lose the ability to make an even better version.

However, a lot of my shots are so hum-drum that the only value lies in the memory. After I've straightened the horizon and fixed the exposure there really isn't much more I can do with such a picture. The only reason I am keeping it is to be able to go back later and remember the place or the situation. There is simply no point in leaving these pictures as RAW, my 2 TB disk which is ONLY used for personal stuff like photos and videos is already close to overflowing, and I do need to constrain my space requirements. Therefore these shots will be kept as JPG instead of RAW.

My real problem lies in the odd way the "Move and Import" batch behaves. If someone has constructive information about this, it would be much appreciated.

[afx]

My real problem lies in the odd way the "Move and Import" batch behaves. If someone has constructive information about this, it would be much appreciated.

There is no move and import in AS.
Only copy (and optionally delete the source) with import.
And import is by reference only.

cheers
afx

[quadrox]

There is no move and import in AS.
Only copy (and optionally delete the source) with import.

Exactly, but the batch gets renamed when you do this.

Create a default copy batch, and it will be called "Copy" (the title of the tab)
Check the "Delete original file" checkbox and it will be called "Move".
Now check the "Import" checkbox and it will be called "Move and Import".

This is what I mean.

And import is by reference only.

This is hardly helpful, and it's nothing new.

What I expect with the setup I described above is the following:

1) The copy part puts a copy of the file in "photos/[year]/[year]_[month]_[day]". This works
2) The delete part deletes the files. This part seems to work as well.
3) The import part should import the file that is now placed in "photos/[year]/[year]_[month]_[day]". As you mentioned, import works by reference, so it should leave the file in that folder and simply add it to the catalog. This is not what happens however. What happens is the following file structure:

- photos
--- [year]
----- [year]_[month]_[day]
------- <rawfile> <--- this file should be imported
--- aftershot-catalog
----- assets
------- [year]_[month]_[day]
--------- <rawfile-duplicate> <--- this file is actually imported

cheers
afx

Thanks. I know it sounds very rude, but in my humble opinion your post added nothing valuable to this discussion.

[afx]

Now check the "Import" checkbox and it will be called "Move and Import".

Interesting, never noticed that, but then I never ever let a batch kill my originals.

And import is by reference only.

This is hardly helpful, and it's nothing new.

Well, from your description, it looked to me like you seem to misunderstand exactly this point.

Instead of fussing about, how about showing your queue definition?

cheers
afx

[quadrox]

Now check the "Import" checkbox and it will be called "Move and Import".

Interesting, never noticed that, but then I never ever let a batch kill my originals.

Well, even someone as experienced as you can learn something new - be prepared

And import is by reference only.

This is hardly helpful, and it's nothing new.

Well, from your description, it looked to me like you seem to misunderstand exactly this point.

Instead of fussing about, how about showing your queue definition?

I will do so when I get home, and I am sorry for my somewhat surly tone before. A better way to put it, is that even though you are a very helpful member of the community in general and I appreciate the time you take, sometimes you have the tendency to "spray and pray" your replies without enough concern of what the poster actually knows/needs.

[quadrox]

I have updated the original post with screenshots. I cannot possibly make the problem any clearer now.

[afx]

Batch queue definition looks fine.
How is the catalog defined?
The catalog window seems to miss its root anchor.
Is that an old B5 catalog re-used for AS?

cheers
afx

[quadrox]

I created that catalog from scratch in AS. I tried creating a different catalog before that one where I would import my files the normal way through the Import dialog. That catalog displayed all folders between / and the catalog folder itself.

This catalog is completely new (which should be obvious by the lack of content), and I only imported files once through the batch queue shown above. I'm guessing it's a bug, and I have used the survey thingie to notify the developers.

[afx]

Looks like a bug to me. Tried to recreate this here but the catalog just works out fine as it should.

cheers
afx

[fxguy]

Hi - I'm a brand new ASP user, and I'm just playing around with setting up an "import from card batch", and I'm seeing the same problem - two sets of image files are created, one in the import folder and one inside the catalog. I thought the catalog files were supposed to be reference files only. I can tell by checking files size that they are not.

[skomorokh]

I'm seeing this too on 1.0.1:

The "download' menu option always replicates the file system tree in the catalog, but successfully moves the files to the right place and links them in the catalog.

When I attempt to create a batch copy filter it puts them at the top level of the catalog (using the "name" template but ignoring the "subfolder" one) and moves the actual raws to the catalog dir (when everything I read says catalogs are by reference only now).

Maybe I'm missing some detail? If this is a bug... is there an issue tracker some place so I can verify this has been reported?

[afx]

The "download' menu option always replicates the file system tree in the catalog, but successfully moves the files to the right place and links them in the catalog.

Sounds like it works as designed.

When I attempt to create a batch copy filter it puts them at the top level of the catalog (using the "name" template but ignoring the "subfolder" one) and moves the actual raws to the catalog dir (when everything I read says catalogs are by reference only now).

Maybe I'm missing some detail? If this is a bug... is there an issue tracker some place so I can verify this has been reported?

Sounds like a messup and is inconsistent with your first statement.
So where is your catalog and what is your queue definition?

cheers
afx