How to export to a pre-named folder in Lightroom

Question

I would like to configure an export setting in Lightroom so that it writes to a folder of the same name as the original folder, but in a different location (without re-typing the name of the folder every time of course). For example

• the original folder is "/photos/2013-02-01 some event"
• I want the target folder to be "/exports/2013-02-01 some event"

AFAIK, export lets one either

• export in a subfolder of the original folder, with a fixed name (fixed relative to the export setting)
• or, name the export folder every time.

So, if this isn't directly possible in the settings of the export function, is it possible to do as an extension / plugin? How hard is it to develop a simple Lightroom extension?

Answer 1

Automatically exporting with the folder structure you want is not possible from the standard Lightroom Export dialog.

It is definitely possible to write a plugin to do this and if you have any previous programming experience it will be straightforward as the SDK includes several sample export plugins that can be used as a base for yours.

The Lightroom SDK is available from here

Answer 2

In fact there is already a plugin that does exactly that, called "Tree Mirror Export" and available here: http://www.newpproducts.com/?page_id=2877