Reset File Number and Rename in Lightroom

[dbump]

Something odd happened to my camera during a shoot, and the imaging sequence reset to 0001. I was able to reset the camera to the correct sequence using a post in the EOS forum, but I had over a hundred photos with file names that were out of sequence.

Fortunately, Lightroom rocks. Not only does it have a batch rename, but it allows sequences, with a defined starting number, and even better, you can edit the template and create your own. Here are the steps I took to reset files numbered IMG_0001 - IMG_0145 to the "correct" sequence of IMG_2255 - IMG_2399:


In the Library module, shift-select the affected images.
From the Library menu, choose Rename Photos (or press F2)
Click the File Naming drop-down, and choose Edit...
In the Preset drop down, choose "Custom Name - Sequence" as a starting point
The text in the large window will be: {Custom Text}-{Sequence # (1)}
Replace the "-" with a "_"
Delete {Sequence # (1)}
With the cursor still after the _, choose Sequence # (001) from the Sequence and Date section. That will insert that variable in the field
The Example should now display "x_0001.CR2"
From the preset drop-down, choose "Save Current Settings as New Preset" and specify a name that you will remember (in case this happens again). I chose the name "ResetImageSequence"
Click Done to return to the Rename Photos window.
For Custom Text, type "IMG" (without the quotes), and for Start Number, type the next number in your desired sequence. In my case, my photos went from 2254 to 0001, so I typed "2255" in. The Example should now show "IMG_2255"
Click OK, and Lightroom will start renaming the images (and the physical files, as well as sidecars).


I love Lightroom!

If you make a mistake, no problem, you can just run rename again. Most likely, you will need to run it twice, since the first time, it will detect other files that already exist with the new name, so will append a "-2" to each file name. The second time, it will rename correctly, since there will no longer be any conflicts of unique names.

[tim]

Why on earth would you want the original image numbers? I rename images with a shoot name then a sequence number, only for the keepers.

[dbump]

I don't identify images by file name--I just want a zero-effort way to make sure they are unique. I'm a DBA, what can I say, I think of file name as the primary key in my photo db. Outside of really weird things like the camera reseting the sequence, my method means no extra effort, for my workflow. I just let Lightroom import with the default names.

I specify keywords on the import wizard to identify shoots, and rate keepers with stars.
That way, I just don't bother with the physical filename--everything is done at an abstraction layer with the metadata.

[tim]

Seems reasonable. I photograph weddings and have to work with filenames, so "BR123" is easier to work with than "_MG_6219".

With your method if you have more than one camera or more than one memory card the filesnames will get messed up, so you'll probably alter the workflow eventually - at least after 10K images when the filenames wrap around. You gona have an integrity problem with your db ;)

[René Damkot]

make sure they are unique.

The point is, like Tim said, after 9999 photo's, they aren't unique anymore ;)

[dbump]

Yes, I am staring down that number. Originally, I thought I wouldn't take more than 10K/year, and I could at least ensure uniqueness within a year. That seems unlikely at this point.

So when you rename each shoot, do you take any pains to pick a unique shoot name, so you don't end up with two BR123s? I realize the uniqueness isn't normally going to be a conflict, as long as the files are in different folders, but if you ever have to resort to searching for a file by name, it gets more interesting.

I am a little surprised that Canon hasn't moved to five or six digit filenames. I'm sure the current format is for 8.3 filename compatibility, but even if you needed to retain that, you could shorten/eliminate the IMG_ prefix.

Multiple cameras is another problem entirely. I hadn't thought about it too much since my only other camera uses .CRW instead of .CR2.

I'm going to have to spend some time thinking about potential downsides to renaming all of my images (existing, and then new, during/after import) with a camera-specific prefix (in place of IMG), and a > 4 digit sequence. Say, XSi_000001.CR2. Not that I expect to get 1 million actuations...

[Swaffs]

Just rename them when you import:
As an event photographer I can shoot a few thousand in a weekend!
I just use the lightroom import option to use my unique name e.g
RS8BH250708- (actual image number)
Ie:
RS - my intials (I instruct my other togs to use a similar naming convention)
8 - 2008
BH - lcoation (e.g Brands Hatch)
250708 - Date of image (I appreciate I have some duplication here)

Then I can reset my counters at each weekend start.

[René Damkot]

So when you rename each shoot, do you take any pains to pick a unique shoot name,

Have a read here: http://thedambook.com/

Chapter 1 is a free download, and might give you some ideas.

My images are named thus:
"rhd_20080509_RdA_0007.CR2": Initials_YYYMMDD_description_xxxx.extension

I use Image Ingester (http://imageingester.com/) to copy/backup/rename my shots, and put basic IPTC in them as well.

[tim]

I'm also an event photographer, weddings, so each couple gets their own folder. Jill and Fred would get image names JF001 to JF500 or so. I don't need global uniqueness.