Loudbri Loc: Philadelphia

I was running out of space on my computer. I got an external harddrive and move the vast majority of my pics onto it. resumed edit the set I was doing LR tells me the pics are offline or missing. I realise that the pics were in fact moved onto the external drive. I got and put them back into the same folder that lightroom has be working out of since I loaded it. now LR can't find anything including the backup folder which I didn't touch. I already optimised nothing changed
This is where my lack of IT savvy hurts the most
thanks in advance for your suggestions

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

LR does not store your images, it only retrieves them. Since you moved their location, LR has no idea where they are now.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Are the images showing in the LR catalogue? (even if they are marked as missing)
In the Library module, is the folder showing up where you have now put the pics?

kit_kit Loc: NYC

On a Windows PC go to Control Panel>>Default Programs and set LR as the default for pics.
Also see "Import photos automatically"
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/lightroom/using/WS1FAB59DE-8867-4052-BA02-5CF6C163CD29.html#WS9E077E24-B678-4801-A903-1D4A527F45AE

BTW Make sure the external drive is not the only place you have a copy of your pics!!

Loudbri Loc: Philadelphia

I understand the store retrieve concept so I put the images back into the folder that they are usually retieved from. The images do show up in the collection as missing. I have a feeling because all the other images in the other collections ARE missing. LR claimes it can't find anything

kit_kit Loc: NYC

Create a new folder, give it a user friendly name, set it as a watched folder in LR...then move your pics to the folder.

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

LR creates a catalogue which keeps track of where the various photos are. It also records all of the edits that you have made to photos and has the thumbnails and previews that you may have rendered. When you move photos around outside of LR the link between the catalogue and photo is broken.

In Library mode, folders that have had their links broken will show a "?" next to them. By right clicking on the "?" you will get a dialogue that you can follow to relink the photos by telling LR where they have been moved to.

Also in grid view, missing photos will also show a "?" in the grid cell. Right-clicking the "?" will also get the "Find Missing Photos" dialogue. Usually you only need to click on one photo in a file to relink all of them. Of course, you may have mixed things up even more by trying to move them back and, if I read your OP correctly, it seems that you did these moves in a somewhat random manner.

Keep us posted and let us know how yo make out. There are a few other things we can try to get things back in order for you.

LR can not track changes you make on the operating system level. So any moves or file name changes you make need to be done inside of LR.

Loudbri Loc: Philadelphia

sorry I was away from the computer fo the last few hours you have all been so help full Mr Bidpix I believe has the direction I'm goin with as he brough out the point that I moved stuff with out letting LR run the show. I can't wait to be over this hump I feel so handicapped.

Loudbri Loc: Philadelphia

The right click follow the bread crumbs trick worked..... it found the collection all the edit info is gone though so I'm starting over.......thanks all

Squint Loc: Stockton, CA

Just remember one thing - move your image files within the LR library module. That way LR won't lose them.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Thanks Mr. Peabody :)


...Sherman.

Redmark

While we are here, I just put lightroom into my second laptop and I want to reintroduce my catalogs. The photos out stored in 5 folders by year in external. When I connect external how do I merry them up to install LR4 (to be 5 catalogs, I do it by year). Do I go new catalog?
Cheers
Red Mark

normsImages Loc: Alabama for now

Are you going to be using both computers?

If yes - move the Catalog files to the external, this way they stay updated for both computers. Install LR on second computer. Next from within LR go file. Open catalog and to the catalog. Now LR knows where the catalog is. If the pictures are shown off line, in LR library module under folders right click and find missing folder.

If no - you will only be using the new computer just move the catalog to the new computer and follow the above direction.

When I say catalog, I’m not talking about the picture folder I’m talking about LR catalog

Redmark

Thanks normsImages, yes I be eventually using both computers(one at a time) as I am away for 8 months ( leaving in 2 days, hence I want to nut this out).I just got LR into travel laptop and now I want to use a new bigger travel external drive and map LR to there. So I take it I move the 5 folders (by year) and the LR catalogs.Where do I tell LR to map to new drive?
I don't mean to hi-jack Loudbri question but I watch all LR queries to pick up skills I need to come competent in LR.
Cheers everyone,
( by the way I am off to Kashmir for the rest of the ski season then to Ladakh and Nepal for tramping.)

normsImages Loc: Alabama for now

From the new laptop open LR go to file - open catalog then find your catalog and open. After doing this for each catalog you should be set up. Im going from memory when I moved everything to a new laptop (I’ve sleep a few times and gotten older sense then) hope I’m not steering you wrong.
Are you running PC or MAC?
A good source for LR info is http://lightroomkillertips.com