How can I rename virtual copies in Lightroom to match a previous export sequence?

Question

A certain part of my workflow involves importing images into LR with their original names (DSC_Whatever), editing them and exporting as a new name e.g. LL_001. The new name is a custom name including the initials of the client and the numbers in their set.

The problem I have is that when a client orders their pictures and I go back into LR to print them. The image numbers are still DSC etc. The only way I have been finding the files they have ordered is by cross-referencing them with the contact sheets I sent out in the first place which is obviously very time-consuming if I'm dealing with 50+ images.

I found a way in the library to rename the files by highlighting them all and pressing ctrl+f2. This works great but it renames virtual copies as something like LL_001-2 which is not how the renaming works when exporting. The reason I use virtual copies is that I convert certain images into a black and white copy.

If I'm honest I'm starting to get a bit tired of messing around with the renaming problem. I don't see what I'm doing as particularly out of the ordinary.

The question is, can I somehow rename the virtual copies using this method and by giving the copy the next number in the sequence? If not, is there another way to rename all files the same way as the export?

Example: Files imported into lightroom: DSC_250.raw, DSC_251.raw, DSC_252.raw

DSC_251.raw- created virtual copy: DSC_25.raw, DSC_251.raw, DSC_251-1.raw, DSC_252.raw

Ctrl+a, ctrl+f2, rename all starting from LL_001: LL_001.raw, LL_002.raw, LL_002-1.raw, LL_003.raw

Ctrl+a, export all images with new name starting from LL_001 (just to get a seq number): LL_001.jpg, LL_002.jpg, LL_003.jpg, LL_004.jpg

The issue now I have my files renamed perfectly for the client but they do not match the names in Lightroom.

I'm not looking for an explanation of what a virtual copy is. I know it's not a real file and I'm just looking for a valid solution of how to give the file a useful name from the same sequence as the other files so that they match customer contact sheets. If you are able to tell me an alternative way of doing it (not exporting and re-importing jpegs) then I would be grateful but please don't just explain what a virtual copy is.

Answer 1

I'm not sure what you're referring to. In Lr 6 if I create a virtual copy of a file named img_1234.jpg Lr designates that as Copy 1; there's no file name because a virtual copy isn't a file. You'll see the "Copy name" field under "File name" in the Metadata panel.

If I export a FILE to the same folder as the original FILE then I get a naming conflict; img_1234.jpg (the original) and img_1234.jpg (an exported real copy) cannot reside in the same folder, so Lr will rename the latter to img_1234-1.jpg or something.

If I use the rename function in Lr while I've got a virtual COPY selected, Lr renames the FILE, so then all the virtualy copies have that new file name.

The virtual copies should always be associated with their originals. So img_1234.jpg should have copies 1 through x right there with it.

If you exported FILES did you use the option to reimport them into Lr? In other words, it seems you imported img_1234.jpg. Then exported FILE LL_1234.jpg. Lr doesn't know that LL_1234.jpg exists unless you import it; it's a separate photo file.

Answer 2

Perhaps we need to rethink the workflow to achieve the same ends in a different manner, since Lr doesn't do what you want.

Many Lr users export edited files to others and then have to access the originals in Lr to produce new exports, prints, etc. The easiest way to do this, of course, is to use the same name for the exported photo as for the photo in Lr. IOW, rename them in Lr before exporting. That's what I do, and the person who receives the photo and I both have the same filename so we can talk about the same photo. And that works even if I'm outside Lr and looking at them on a thumbdrive or something.

If you renamed DSC_1234 as LL_001 in Lr it doesn't change anything about virtual copies; a VC of either will have the same filename and "Copy 1" added in the copyname field. You can always find the original by just clicking the arrow next to "Copy 1." And your client and you will both be looking at LL_001, formerly DSC_1234, when you correspond about it. If I make VCs and do something with them, say a BW and a crop, then I name the copies to something more descriptive, like "B&W" and "crop." So when I print or export I include those names, so "LL_001 BW," "LL_001 crop," and so on. So again the recipient and I are talking about the same file. If I ever need the original filename, no problem: Lr has that stored, and it's easy to rename back to the original if necessary. You can see it under the panel "Exif and IPTC."

But I imagine you've got something else going on, since this common way of doing things isn't working. I don't ever rename files unless somebody else requires it (it might be their files, and my camera sequence might not meet their needs, or duplicate existing filenames they may already have like "img_0001"). I use other tags to identify client, or keywords, or the various job and other tags in IPTC.

Answer 3

Open the Metadata panel in Library view for the Copy, you will see a section called 'Copy Name'. Simply change the name there.

However, you can't, as far as I know, apply any automation or sequence numbers at import or creation of copies.

You can add sequence numbers to Copies on Export, which has a function to automatically rename Copies with a sequence number on Export, but that does not resolve your issue, unless you export then re-import the jpg.