Stuck...Need Lightroom help asap please

Lightroom 2.7
Finished editing a batch of photos.

I selected them all and got ready to export them.
When I renamed the file I think I messed up somehow.

Now the files will not export...it says they do not exist.

I can see the in Lightroom they are still there but it will not export them.

Any ideas.

Well, we'd need some specific info, I think.

First, are the original files Raw, jpeg or tiff/psd files?

Then, is it possible that the drive these files are on has been disconnected or lost power?

Then, maybe you can give us a step-by-step description of your Export settings and approach? Maybe go to another folder, select and image and click to Export and then get a screen shot of the Export dialog and post it here so we can check it out.

Hope you can solve this!

Raw files.
Imported into Lightroom.
Flagged the good ones, processed them.
Clicked on the export menu.
Menu came up, decided to change the name of the file that I originally copied the raws from, did that, then tried to export the edited files into that same file.
Lightroom could not recognize the edited files so could not export them.
Now when I select a photo in that edited group and then hit export....the export menu will not even open.

Export menu works fine with any other files, just not these, I am sure it is because I changed the name of the file.

How can I get Lightroom to recognize these files that are processed so I can export them.

Thanks

OK, I assme that you changed the file names outside of Lightroom, then -- not a good idea! The Lightroom catalog stores file info in order to keep things organized and keep needed metadata (including editing/processing info) and, as you've seen, trying to do "stuff" outside of LR can mess things up, as in "losing" its whole connection with the files!

I'm not sure exactly how to "fix" this -- you can try to change the file names back to the original names using your regular sytem naming (in other words un-do what you did) and then see if LR can re-recognize them. Before doing anything, I'd back up the images as well as do a Lightroom backup so you will have a point to return to if all else fails.

If the renaming thing doesn't work automaticall, try selecting the folder and doing a Synchronize and see if that works.

If that doesn't work, well, you may be stuck with removing the "ghost" images from your LR catalog and then re-importing from scratch, but of course you lose all metadata/editing info...

And then, in the future, remember that LR is designed for image organization, including renaming files while keeping them "in-house" (you can do this by right-clicking or using a menu function). Of course the Export function gives you control of renaming exported files (not ones in your catalog, unless you specifically re-import them).

I tried all your suggestions and nothing is better.

Provide more info. A screenshot might help.

I don't understand this part:

Shockey wrote in post #12145125
Menu came up, decided to change the name of the file that I originally copied the raws from, did that, then tried to export the edited files into that same file.

Shockey wrote in post #12145125
Lightroom could not recognize the edited files so could not export them.

What exact error message?

Shockey wrote in post #12145125
Now when I select a photo in that edited group and then hit export....the export menu will not even open.

That is weird.
Any error message?

Shockey wrote in post #12145125
Export menu works fine with any other files, just not these, I am sure it is because I changed the name of the file.

Where did you change the name of the file?
Outside LR?
Is there a "?" icon on the file?

Shockey wrote in post #12145125
Menu came up, decided to change the name of the file that I originally copied the raws from, did that, then tried to export the edited files into that same file.

I don't think this is about the image files, but about a *folder* that's been given a different name. And if I understand correctly he wants to export his edited files right back into the same folder where his raw files are.

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #12148553
I don't think this is about the image files, but about a *folder* that's been given a different name. And if I understand correctly he wants to export his edited files right back into the same folder where his raw files are.

I think you are right.

Shockey - Unfortunately LR isn't a mind reader. You have to tell it what the new name of the folder is. Click on the question mark next to the old name in the Library/Folders list and in the navigation box select the new name.

Thanks everybody.
I was following the advice I was given, but it kept saying the folder already existed in Lightroom. My daughter suggested I change the name of the original folder where the raws were, outside of Lightroom.
Once I did that then it linked right up and good to go. Got everything finished with time to spare .

Shockey wrote in post #12154387
Thanks everybody.
I was following the advice I was given, but it kept saying the folder already existed in Lightroom. My daughter suggested I change the name of the original folder where the raws were, outside of Lightroom.
Once I did that then it linked right up and good to go. Got everything finished with time to spare .

Was going to be my suggestion, glad you sorted it out!

Shockey wrote in post #12154387
but it kept saying the folder already existed in Lightroom.

Now he tells us...

But glad you sorted it out.

"The biggest problem with communcation is the illusion that it has occurred."

I didn't know enough about it to know that that was an important tidbit of info.