Import LR3 frustration

[gtirman]

I have had LR3 now for a few weeks and found it to be an awesome tool in editing images....in that i have no problem....what i do have a problem with [still ] is how to import images from an inserted memory card.
I have Scott Keby's book which has been no help to this luddite.
I have followed the tips given by members on here with no luck.
Al i simply want to do is when inserting a memory card is to open them to edit in LR3.
Kelbies book waffles on about folders/watermarks/off on tangents ...all which confuses me.
Can someone please please tell me a simple straight forward, no jargon way of opening up my images in LR3 from a card reader.
The closest i get is the pics appear [fuzzy ] thus i cant check or uncheck individual pics as well as the import button not being able to be activated. what am i doing wrong?
I also see the same pics are in a folder in LR3 but for the life of me i cannot get them to appear for edting.
I also keep getting a "suspected duplicate" image warning......is this ok.?

Appreciate any SIMPLE step by step tips on how to stop my continual frustration.
I couldnt even find in preferences the "automatically open in LR from a card reader" section ??? I loath computers but i love LR
Please help before i head for the prozac !!

[2Beers]

You need to be in the library module and if you look down the bottom left corner you will see the import button and as lightroom knows when you insert a card it should import them from there also you need to have the copy option highlighted on the top centre bar

The auto import selection is found in the file drop down box where you can also alter the import selection

[donoreo]

First off, you do not want to open the photos when they are still in the card reader. You want to import them and and save them to the hard drive first. When I have LR open, I stick the card in, the operating system and LR detect it and ask to import in LR, automatically. I choose where I want them to go on the hard drive and it runs. Then I edit.

[gtirman]

Originally Posted by 2Beers

You need to be in the library module and if you look down the bottom left corner you will see the import button and as lightroom knows when you insert a card it should import them from there also you need to have the copy option highlighted on the top centre bar

The auto import selection is found in the file drop down box where you can also alter the import selection

Really appreciate your reply 2 beers.
All of the above i have tried to no avail. Also my import button is on the right hand side not the left as you suggest. [i may have a Chinese version LOL ]
When i follow Kelby's step by step directions i end up in a completely different place than what he says i should be in????

[gtirman]

Originally Posted by donoreo

First off, you do not want to open the photos when they are still in the card reader. You want to import them and and save them to the hard drive first. When I have LR open, I stick the card in, the operating system and LR detect it and ask to import in LR, automatically. I choose where I want them to go on the hard drive and it runs. Then I edit.

Thanks for the tips Donoreo ! Heres what i do and please tell me where i am messing up.
1. open LR
2. insert card reader
[nothing comes up only the page with LIBRARY highlighted ]
3.go to "file" click on open or import photos
Images actually appear however in the blurred/dull fashion with no tick boxes. This is on the FROM/COPY/TO page. [EOS to My Pictures ]
4. iMPORT BUTTON IS NOT HIGHLIGHTED AND CANNOT BE CLICKED ON.


Thats as far as i can get !!!

[gtirman]

I have now been trying to import for 5 straight hours....and thats just today !! [yesterday was similar ] and i am just about to throw LR out the window and just edit in PS as it is so much easier...one click and the image opens in ACR ! Why have they made LR so difficult!!!

This is what i have tried just now.....copied the card reader to My Documents, opened LR and went to Source....chose the above file and bingo.....all 250 images were displayed.....thats the good part.
The bad part is that all the images are dull//fuzzy [normal for the initial stages i think ] and cannot STILL be checked/unchecked or Imported.

When i hover over the pics a panel comes up saying "this is a suspected duplicate of an image already in the catolog"
Oddly enough i have the "dont import suspected duplicates" button checked.

Anybody out there as this really is doing my head in

[2Beers]

What operating system are you using E.G Windows 7 or Windows Vista also are you using 32 bit or 64 bit as I am running windows 7 64 bit with adobe LR 3.5 64 bit with no problems

[donoreo]

Across the top in the middle of the import screen, what is selected? Copy as DNG, Copy Move or Add? I am using a Mac here. I am using the defaults for importing, aside from the location to put the photos when imported.

Do you have enough free hard drive space where you are importing to? Just guessing on that.

[gtirman]

All sorted now thanks Chasps !! I gave up reading books, notes etc and just did what i thought would be the correct method and bingo....the eagle has landed!!
I purely used intuition which got me through the day finally :}
Also what opened the floodgates was the fluke chance of unchecking the " dont import duplicates" on the top RHS.

Thanks to all that helped out......happy as Larry now

[donoreo]

Glad you got it. Since you mention Scott Kelby, is this Lightroom 3 for Photographers? Look in the back for his 7 Point System, with examples for different types of photos, to process. I started processing this way and I am getting much better results and I am doing it faster.