Export Backup Plugin for Lightroom 2 Updated (Version 20090208.003)
My Export Backup plugin for Lightroom 2 (in Adobe speak, a post-process action) has been updated today. The new version contains some usability updates:
- Destination folder now has a “Most Recently Used” (MRU) drop down list to help you quickly export files to your favourite folders. A delete button (the minus sign next to the drop down arrow) helps you clean up folders you no longer want kept in the list.
- A separate subfolder field has been added, similar to that found in the Export to Files Export Service.
- Windows Explorer or Finder can show the backed up files once the export completes.
With this release I now have all of the main features I need for my own purposes. Please leave a comment if you have suggestions for other features that should be added.
Installation
- Download the plugin: Latest version of Export Backup zip
- Copy the file where you want the plugin to permanently reside, then unzip the file. This should create a sub-directory called export-backup.lrplugin.
- Open Lightroom 2, then select the File\Plugin Manager menu option.
- Press the Add button, select the export-backup.lrplugin directory created in step 2, then press OK.
- The plugin is now installed and enabled. Press Done.
Usage
Next time you export files you will notice an Export Backup entry in the Export dialog’s Post-Process Actions list.
To use this feature:
- Select the Export Backup entry, then press the Insert button. Note: The Insert button will remain inactive if you select the wrong Export Backup entry. This will add an Export Backup Location section near the end of the Export dialog.
- Either manually enter or choose the base directory where the rendered files should be copied.
- If desired, specify a subfolder to be appended to the folder name. This is typically used to enter the album/collection name or any other folder name that changes from export to export.
- Select either Overwrite or Skip option, depending upon how you want to proceed if the same files already exist in the destination directory.
- Continue with your file export as usual.
When you export your files to Flickr, Gallery 2 or whatever photo hosting service you use, you will now also have a local copy of the rendered output for your own records.
I hope you find this plugin useful and feel free to share your experiences or suggestions in the comments section below.
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In: Howto, Project, Software · Tagged with: backup, code, lightroom, lr2, plugin, Web, workflow
Matt,
Excuse for feeling a bit of a dumbo here, but I noticed you mentioning the “exporting to Gallery 2” capability from within Lightroom. I guess this needs a dedicated plugin also. Since I use Gallery 2 a lot, I experimented with a upload-to-Gallery-2 plugin under Lightroom 1, but with nog success. Is there a upload-to-Gallery-2 plugin available somewhere?
Dirk
Hi Dirk,
I use this export plugin for uploading to Gallery2:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/lr-to-gallery/
The latest version is from November 2008. Previous versions have been a little unreliable, but they seem to have ironed out most of the issues now.
Matt
Matt,
Thanks! I will check out their shirts 😉
Dirk
Wow! It works! Thanks a lot for your help.
Dirk
Glad to help, and I hope the plugin improves your Gallery2 export experience.
hi, i want to change the export backup location folder but i can not do it. it won’t me let me. any help?
There are two fields that can be used to specify the backup location. The first is the top field which has a drop down to select a previous values you’ve used, or you can type in a new value or press the “Choose” button to select a folder. The second location is the sub-folder field, which allows you to identify a sub-folder within the folder identified in the top field. This field is disabled unless you select the checkbox to the left of the “Put in sub-folder” label.
I suspect you are trying to enter the folder in the second field but have not enabled it. This should work once you select the checkbox but typically the first field is the one you would use. If this doesn’t fix the problem please let me know a little more detail about how you are trying to use the plugin.
i understand what you are saying, but the problem is that i do not have access to the drop-down menue. in my case the window is to small and it cuts the fields off. i tried to re-size the window, but i am not successful. is it possible that when i chose the first time a location i chose one where the ‘location name’ is too long? again, i do not have the ability to use a drop down as i do not have visibility to it. i tried to disable, remove the plugin, reinstall… still shows the old backup location.. no way to choose a drop-down. any help with completely removing the plugin and re-installing?
What operating system are you using, and what is your screen resolution?
The plugin is supposed to fit within the bounds of the plugin manager screen so I’m surprised to hear that you can’t see the drop down. Though it isn’t ideal you should be able to change the export folder anyway by just typing in the new folder name into the first field. You don’t need to use the drop down or the Choose button to modify this value – just type in the directory and it should work.
What can you see on the screen then? There is a screenshot on this page of what it looks like for me on Windows XP SP2. What do you see?
Screen Resolution 1024 x 768 with WinXP SP3. It just cuts of at the right hand side… i do not see the drop down menue. I can not change to a bigger resolution. I do remember however, that I was able to see the drop down in the beginning. i tried to change the location manually but it won’t accept it. can you help how to completely remove the plugin – i would then re-install and see what happens.
@flogsta, I’ll drop you an email. This is getting to be a little too drawn out to continue here.
To reinstall you would need to use the Plugin Manager’s remove plugin button, and then follow the install steps again. But I’m guess you mean you want to remove the current configuration. It can be found in your Lightroom preferences file (e.g. C:\Documents and Settings\[your user name]\Application Data\Adobe\Lightroom\Preferences\Lightroom 2 Preferences.agprefs ), search for the string sdk_com.thephotogeek.lightroom.export.export-backup . But be very careful and shutdown LR and backup this file before you touch it. Lightroom doesn’t react well when the preferences file is damaged.
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Great plugn it was exactly what I was looking for. Though now I am primarily using Photoshop CS4 and miss having this feature, I would love to see a version of this plugin for Photoshop save as.
@Andy, I’m glad you find it useful. I don’t actually have Photoshop – only Elements – and do almost all of my work in Lightroom so hadn’t even considered doing a plugin for Photoshop. At the moment I’m not planning to branch out into that area of development because I have enough on my plate already. If that changes I’ll let you know. Thanks for the suggestion though!
Nice plugin and idea, just about what I was after, though unfortunately it is missing a feature I need to make use of it. Which is when it comes to files with the same file name (I always have some from each days shoot). I would like to see a feature to have it prompt to rename or better yet auto rename to the next incremental # same as the normal lightroom export. Also would be great to see a option to create a 3rd copy. I like to keep a separate physical copy for posting online and for use in 3rd party gallery builders. If I am editing a photo I know will be posted online, it would be great to select a preset to not just save in the original folder + backup folder but another copy at the same time for use on the web or what ever reason.
Looking at these dates I am guessing this plugin will no longer be updated but just wanted to give a few suggestions I would love to see added. Would cut out additional steps and increase workflow.
@Andrew, thanks for the feedback. Haven’t updated this one in a while but that is because it already does what I need. If others still find it useful I’ll see about getting another update out to add some more features then. I’m a little surprised about the duplicate file naming issue though. I would have expected the export process to ensure the filenames were unique. Are you storing multiple exports in the same directory?