Is there a way to "browse" images in LR without importing them?

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm a newbie in LR and I've always used bridge/camera RAW before. Is there a way to just browse through images without importing the whole folder into LR just to do that?

Not that I know of. I use Bridge or DPP for that personally.

These are the dumb things that frustrate me about LR! Also, sometimes I export a file as a full res JPG and it doesn't show up in the folder until I go back and click "synchronize folder"

Yes. From where you've downloaded your RAW files to: File/import photos and videos. Uncheck all then click to view individual images. Tick only those you wish to import. This is for a PC. If you're using a Mac I've no idea.

2slo wrote in post #16577114
Yes. From where you've downloaded your RAW files to: File/import photos and videos. Uncheck all then click to view individual images. Tick only those you wish to import. This is for a PC. If you're using a Mac I've no idea.

It is the same for a Mac.

Canon_Shoe wrote in post #16577076
These are the dumb things that frustrate me about LR! Also, sometimes I export a file as a full res JPG and it doesn't show up in the folder until I go back and click "synchronize folder"

When you export the image the export screen gives you the option to "add to this catalog". If you tick that it will add them and you wont need to synchronise.

2slo wrote in post #16577114
Yes. From where you've downloaded your RAW files to: File/import photos and videos. Uncheck all then click to view individual images. Tick only those you wish to import. This is for a PC. If you're using a Mac I've no idea.

This is still 'importing' to the catalogue - Not browsing as such.

NinetyEight wrote in post #16577174
This is still 'importing' to the catalogue - Not browsing as such.

No it isn't. Unless you tick the image it just stays in its original folder. LR only imports it when you tick and hence tell LR to import it. That's how I do it every day, it saves a lot of disc space and I only import and process the RAW files I choose to use.

2slo wrote in post #16577179
No it isn't. Unless you tick the image it just stays in its original folder. LR only imports it when you tick and hence tell LR to import it. That's how I do it every day, it saves a lot of disc space and I only import and process the RAW files I choose to use.

Ah, so you just use the import utility to browse? I assume you can't view at anything bigger than a thumbnail?

NinetyEight wrote in post #16577224
Ah, so you just use the import utility to browse? I assume you can't view at anything bigger than a thumbnail?

Lol, no, it's designed better than that! You can click once to view it and again to see 100% crop. Click again to get out of that image. Clearly designed to let users see what's worth importing before ticking to import.

NinetyEight wrote in post #16577224
Ah, so you just use the import utility to browse? I assume you can't view at anything bigger than a thumbnail?

You can view full size and 1x1 in the import dialog.

I never realised LR could do that (lol)...

Are you talking about browsing/viewing jpegs, tiffs, or Raw files? For jpegs or tiffs, why not just use the system browser?

Yes. That is so you select which images on the card you want to import. When you install LR and try to import from a card you will see the interface with the jpg previews of the images on the card. You select all or some of the images to import.

NinetyEight wrote in post #16577292
I never realised LR could do that (lol)...

Kev, what version are you on? Don't tell me you're still on LR2. That was a big improvement in 3. In 2 the import dialog was horrible; blurry and useless little thumbnails. But since 3 you can see full screen (well near full screen) and 1:1 views. 'Course it's the embedded jpg, but that's all any browser will show you.