Windows 8.1/lightroom help required (Page 2): I never used lightroom till I got my iMac so I have no idea about that other operating system and lightroom.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

Dngallagher wrote:

Not to be argumentative, but in my use of Lightroom from version 4 thru the current 5.7 it NEVER allowed direct editing of a file - always required an import into the catalog.

Granted, I never used it on Winblows, but in everything I have seen or read it is a catalog/database first, then a parametric editor and requires images be imported into it's catalog to be edited. Remember, any edits are stored in the catalog by default, not in the image.

I never used lightroom till I got my iMac so I have no idea about that other operating system and lightroom.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

bsprague wrote:

Following a topic on the Adobe Lightroom forum, I decided to try it. I was able, in the Windows 7 version of Edit In, to force finding the Lightroom5.exe file. Then when I would do an "Edit In" Lightroom would open in the Import Dialog.

Seasoned regulars on the Lightroom forum suggested that if I continued doing that, there would be a high likelihood that my Lightroom catalog would get screwed up.

Yes, essentially the same as dragging the image to the Lightroom icon, it will launch Lightroom and go into the import dialog. No way I know if to directly edit an image in Lightroom without first importing it one way or another.

Since Lightroom would use the existing catalog for the import, I am not sure how it would cause problems though. Perhaps a hold over from older versions?

REJ Loc: Ontario Canada

Dngallagher wrote:

Yes, essentially the same as dragging the image to the Lightroom icon, it will launch Lightroom and go into the import dialog. No way I know if to directly edit an image in Lightroom without first importing it one way or another.

Since Lightroom would use the existing catalog for the import, I am not sure how it would cause problems though. Perhaps a hold over from older versions?

I will try to sort out this can of worms, first I have been using Windows 7 and importing my photos to programs like Faststone image viewer or Photo Gallery, when you select a photo Faststones edit drop down menu there is a line saying "edit with external program" Photoshop, Light room, etc. In Photo gallery when you right click on the selected photo the drop down menu says "open in" Photoshop, Light room, etc. When you pick Light room in either one, that photo that you selected will open in Light rooms library. When I am finished in Light room I export the photo back to Photo Gallery and remove the photo from Light room. I store nothing in Light room. This is MY system and I would like to carry it on to Windows 8.1. REJ

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Dngallagher wrote:

..... in my use of Lightroom from version 4 thru the current 5.7 it NEVER allowed direct editing of a file ...

Exactly. Windows or Mac, Lightroom can't do anything with a photo until it is registered in the catalog through the import process. That is one of the fundamentals that makes it different.

Not to put words in the OP's original post, but the question might make more sense if it said, "What is the quickest way to 'see' a single photo in Lightroom, using the fewest key strokes, that I don't want kept in my catalog?"

I think it might be to have a dedicated folder named something like "LR Quick View". Drag, Drop, Copy, Cut or Paste the photo there. Open Lightroom in the Library Module, right click that folder and select Synchronize. When you've looked at it and are done, press the Delete button and delete it from the disk.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

You can do this in LR & Win 8.1.

Right click on the photo-
Select "open with"
Select "Choose Default Program"
scroll down to bottom and select "More Options"
scroll down to bottom and select "Look for another app on this PC"

This will take you into the programs directory
select the Adobe folder
select the Lightromm 5.7 folder

click on "lightroom.exe"

now when you either left click on the photo or right click and select open it will open LR - import all of the photos in that folder into LR - Import module - and have the photo you clicked on as the only one checked so you can import it.

I have this set up on my 8.1 system -
open= LR
edit = Elements

if I want to view, I have to right click and open with - select "preview"

Hope this helps...

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Shellback wrote:

You can do this in LR & Win 8.1......

I tried it again with 7. It works better than when I tried it weeks ago.

I can get the Open With to work fine with LR. But I can't get Edit to work. It comes up in Paint and there aren't options like Open With.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

bsprague wrote:

I tried it again with 7. It works better than when I tried it weeks ago.

I can get the Open With to work fine with LR. But I can't get Edit to work. It comes up in Paint and there aren't options like Open With.

One method is a registry hack -
http://www.ghacks.net/2009/02/08/how-to-change-the-edit-application-in-windows/

There are programs out there that will do it too - I don't use them as I don't know what other stuff they install - I am comfortable with hacking the reg...

REJ Loc: Ontario Canada

Shellback wrote:

You can do this in LR & Win 8.1. br br Right ... (show quote)

Thank you, I have it all set up now, I did not have your great instructions I just kept pushing apps. I will save your instructions.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

REJ wrote:

Well I have been using lightroom 4 and lightroom 5 like that since they were issued. Now if windows 8.1 have changed that method I would like to know. REJ

You have been using it incorrectly. If all you want to do is use the Develop Module, then you can do what you want with PHotoshop and Adobe ACR.

If you insist on using LR and bypassing the import process, then you are missing out on the most powerful part of LR, and the most compelling reason to use it - the catalog.

With other software you can right click on the image, the flyout menu will offer Open With, which when you click it, will show you a list of software associated with the file extension. The problem is that LR will not be there because it is not intended to be used that way. You go to the bottom of the list, where you can choose default program to open this with - and there you can click to add LR, but it will not result in a selection. LR doesn't work this way.

Your best bet is to set up a watched folder using File->Auto Import for quickly adding images that you don't necessarily want to add to a catalog. Add your files there, then open LR and sync that folder. This is like setting up a Temporary folder. I use this when I set up a Photobooth, to create a slide show on the fly using the images that are taken as people visit the booth.

You remind me of the guy who bought a sea kayak, loved how it handled surf and rough water on the open sea, but returned it because it was awful (much too long) to be used in white water.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

REJ wrote:

Hi All
I had to get a new computer and windows 8.1 came with it, so be it. My question is, when you right click a photo the drop down menu reads open in or edit in. How do I get Lightroom 5.7 on that menu. I had no trouble with Elements 13 there was an app right there for it. The method used in Windows 7 no longer works. Thanks in advance. REJ.
PS I went to the app store but could find nothing about Lightroom 5.7.

As the others have said, you can not open in Lightroom. You must import any and all images you want to view or edit in Lightroom before you can do anything with them. Lightroom is first and foremost a cataloging program and in order to do anything it MUST be imported.

achesley Loc: SW Louisiana

I understand the question and have done this to my Win 8.1 system. But, I forgot how I did it. Would have to do an internet search on Adding programs to Win 8.1 Open With Drop down menu
I have Several programs I can open up when I right click a picture file in my Explore File App. If I remember right, Right Click on the file and in the drop down go to the bottom and Choose Default Program and go to the bottom of that and choose More Options and to the bottom of that and choose Look For Another App On This PC. Choose that and go fine your LR 4 ( my case ) and click on the App.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

achesley wrote:

I understand the question and have done this to my... (show quote)

This doesn't work with LR 5.

achesley Loc: SW Louisiana

What this does for ME is Opens LR4, brings up the import window, shows a pic of the file you clicked on with the arrow checked. If you have several more pics in that directory, you and check the arrow on the ones you want to import or click on Check All and Import.

achesley Loc: SW Louisiana

I guess that's a good reason to stay with LR 4 then ;-)

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

achesley wrote:

I guess that's a good reason to stay with LR 4 then ;-)

The new stuff in LR 5, plus what is about to be released in v6 are the best reasons to move on.

Learn how to use LR as it was intended, and your life will be made easier. Or just don't use it at all, since you will have everything you need in ACR and Bridge. Based on what you have said, there is no reason for you to use LR at all.