Today, I need to share how I exploit the Lightroom rename information performance to enhance picture group and picture discovery of my picture library.
The technique of renaming a number of information in Lightroom, often known as batch renaming, could be very related regardless of the place you need to run the renaming course of.
How to Rename Files in Lightroom – 5 Step Process
- You choose a number of information you need to rename.
- You entry the File Renaming interface (in Import Module from Rename Panel, in Library Module by choosing Library > Rename File and in Export Module by opening the File Rename part)
- From the drop-down menu, you choose the Renaming Template.
- You click on the Import button in case you are within the Import Module, the OK button in case you are within the Library Module, or the Export button in case you are renaming information within the Export Module.
- Lightroom renames chosen information primarily based on directions saved within the renaming template.
Why Do You Want to Rename Files in Lightroom?
When you import new pictures to Lightroom, you’ve the choice to rename all of the information in the course of the import course of. But few photographers use this feature and even know of its existence.
Let me clarify the explanation I rename each single picture I convey to Lightroom.
When I import a photograph to Lightroom with out altering the file identify, that is what I see in my picture library:
_DSF0369. RAF
The solely factor the file identify tells me is that the picture is in Fujifilm RAW format and nothing else. If I come throughout this picture when utilizing a file browser (Explorer or Finder), I do not know the place the picture is from. This requires me to take additional steps to determine the date and the placement of when and the place the picture was taken.
Here is similar picture after I exploit Lightroom’s file renaming characteristic:
20180727_California_DSF0369. RAF
Now, the file identify tells me that I took the picture on July 27, 2018, in California utilizing a Fujifilm digital camera. I can nonetheless use the unique filename as a reference.
Places to Batch Rename Files in Lightroom
If you solely must rename a person file, you are able to do it simply from the Metadata Panel of Library Module by modifying the File Name discipline.
But, since we take care of a tenth and even lots of of hundreds of pictures in fashionable digital pictures, the only file renaming characteristic is just not very sensible. You must know the right way to rename a number of information, leveraging Lightroom automation.
In at present’s article, I’m going to focus on batch renaming choices.
Lightroom permits us to rename a number of pictures and movies within the following areas of this system:
- Import Module – Rename Files on Import
- Library Module – Rename Files Already Imported
- Export Module – Rename Files on Export
Now, let’s see how the file ramming works in every space.
Lightroom – Rename Files on Import
Renaming the photographs on import is by far the most well-liked and most sensible strategy to conform all of your library to the identical file naming conference. This is the place I rename all my pictures.
Follow these steps to rename the photographs on the time you import them to the Lightroom catalog:
- From the highest menu of Lightroom, choose File > Import Photos and Video, to activate the Import Module.
- On the precise aspect of the Import Module, find the File Renaming panel and verify the Rename Files field to point that you simply need to rename imported pictures.
- From the Template drop-down, choose the renaming template. The Renaming Template is the official identify, however most photographers name it Renaming Preset.
Lightroom comes with a set of prebuilt templates, and you’ll choose any of them to begin the renaming course of. But in case you need to use a customized template, that you must create it first. In the final part of this text, you will discover the directions on the right way to create customized renaming templates.
- When you might be proud of all Import Module settings, hit the Import button. Lightroom will import all the chosen pictures to the catalog and rename them on the identical time, primarily based on the renaming template directions.
Now let see what renaming presets can be found in Lightroom.
There are 2 kinds of renaming templates.
The first kind requires you to fill one of many 2 customized fields: Custom Text or Shoot Name.
- Custom Name (x of y)
- Custom Name – Original File Number
- Custom Name -Sequence
- Custom Name
- Shoot Name – Original File Number
- Shoot Name – Sequence
It is a really helpful kind that lets you be very descriptive when utilizing the customized fields. The solely downside is in case you neglect to replenish the customized discipline, Lightroom will rename your information with the default worth “unnamed shoot” or “untitled” and all of your pictures can have ugly names. There isn’t any undo.
For instance, if you choose the Custom Name (x of y) template and use the Mexico Vacation 2019 as a Custom Name, the renamed information will appear like this:
Mexico Vacation 2019 (1 of 345).RAF, Mexico Vacation 2019 (2 of 345).RAF …
The second kind of renaming templates doesn’t require you to enter any info, it’s failsafe. But it’s much less versatile and descriptive.
- Date – File Name
- Filename – Sequence
- Filename
For instance, if you choose the Date – File Name template, the renamed information will appear like this:
20190814-DSF4567.RAF, 20190814-DSF4568.RAF, 20190814-DSF4569.RAF …
Lightroom – Rename Files Already Imported
The logic of renaming pictures after importing them is simply to rename pictures you propose to maintain.
You import pictures first. Next, you run a culling course of, the place you determine the “keepers” and delete the “rejects” and undesirable pictures. Now in case you rename the remaining pictures, you’ll have a sequence of filenames with none gaps.
I exploit the picture renaming in Library Module seldom, solely after I neglect to rename pictures in the course of the import course of.
Follow these steps to rename the information already current within the Lightroom catalog:
- Go to Lightroom’s Library Module.
- Select a number of pictures you propose to rename by urgent the Shift key and choosing the primary and the final picture of the sequence.
- From the highest menu, choose Library > Rename Photos or just hit the “F2” shortcut. The File Renaming interface might be activated. The file renaming choices within the Libray Module are similar to the Import Module however they’re introduced barely in another way.
- From the File Naming drop-down menu, choose the File Renaming Template. As you may see right here, it’s not known as Template or Preset however fairly File Naming. It is inconsistent and could be complicated.
- If you chose the template which has customized fields, fill them up.
- Hit the OK button and you might be carried out.
Lightroom – Rename Files on Export
The picture renaming on export is used typically when purchasers have particular directions for file naming conference. The potential difficulty with such a renaming is that it may be troublesome to match exported pictures to the originals within the Lightroom catalog.
In my case, I by no means used this characteristic although I’ve been utilizing Lightroom for the reason that beta model. I’ve loads of Export Presets to cowl all attainable codecs, sizes, and side ratios, however none of them embody the renaming choices.
Follow these steps to rename the information in the course of the export:
- Select the photographs you propose to export
- Right-click on any chosen picture and select the “Export” possibility. Ultimately you need to use the shortcut Ctrl (Cmd) + Shift + E. The Export Module might be activated.
- From the precise panel of the Export Module, find the File Naming part (second from high) and click on on it to open.
- You might be introduced with UI nearly similar to the Library Module renaming choices.
- Check the Rename to field.
- Select the Renaming Template from the drop-down menu
- When you might be able to export the chosen picture, hit the EXPORT button.
How to Create File Renaming Template (Preset) in Lightroom
To use customized file renaming, you will need to create a File Renaming Template to reuse in numerous modules of Lightroom at varied levels in your workflow. You can use it within the Import Module, the Library Module, and the Export Module.
Let me present you how one can create a File Renaming Template in minutes.
You can create a customized File Renaming Template within the following areas: Import Module, Library Module, and Export Module. Today, I’m going to reveal the right way to do it from the Import Module.
Step #1
From the highest menu in Lightroom, choose File > Import Photos and Video…
This possibility prompts the Import Module.
Step #2
Locate the File Renaming Panel on the precise aspect of the interface.
Activate the File Renaming Panel by choosing the Rename Files checkbox.
Step #3
From the Template drop-down menu, choose the Custom Settings possibility.
Step #4
You might be introduced with the Filename Template Editor.
Delete all the pieces you see contained in the Template Window.
Step #5
You can now begin constructing your personal Filename Template by populating the Template Window with the choices listed under.
a. Select the Date possibility and click on the Insert button.
Add an underscore character to visually separate the file renaming parameters.
b. Next, choose the Shoot Name possibility and click on the Insert button.
Add one other underscore character.
c. Finally, find the Filename possibility and click on the Insert button.
This is what you might be alleged to see:
Your template is prepared. Save the template within the closing step.
Step #6
From the Template drop-down menu, choose Save Current Setting As New Preset.
Give the preset a significant identify, one you may acknowledge sooner or later. Then, hit the Create button.
You are carried out.
Now, if you end up able to import a bunch of recent pictures to Lightroom, you may choose the File Renaming Template from the File Renaming Panel and apply it to all of your new pictures. Lightroom will rename all of the imported pictures primarily based in your template construction.
This is how I exploit the File Renaming Template. However, this doesn’t imply that you need to use the identical actual renaming construction.
Related: Lightroom Import Presets Demystified
For instance, my file renaming construction is just not good and has one main shortcoming. If I neglect to specify the Shot Name throughout import, Lightroom populates the Shot Name discipline with an “Untitled Shot” worth. I made a decision to dwell with this difficulty for the reason that present renaming construction works finest for my pictures.
Feel free to create your personal templates primarily based in your wants and your picture group and modifying workflow. My fundamental recommendation, no matter what renaming construction you utilize, is to be constant. Do not use a unique renaming construction every time you import new pictures.