Lightroom - Tips and Tricks - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/06/2007 12:02:05 PM · #1

I thought I'd start a thread for us to share information on using lightroom. To start, I have some questions that others may be interested in, and some may know the answer:

1) Is there a way to tell it where photoshop is? For some reason, it doesn't see my PS CS. In preferences, it says, "Edit in Adobe Photoshop (not found)". I don't see anywhere to post that! (I can set it up to be the external editor, but I wanted to do that for a second, different application). If it doesn't recognize CS on purpose, think Adobe is getting pretty "daring" in abusing those who choose not to upgrade CS.

2) Is there a way to set a limit to the amount of memory it will consume, like you can in CS? It tends to gobble more than its fare share, bringing my system to its knees (I only have 1GB memory).

3) Is there a way to assign a label, or tooltip label to color ratings, so I remember to use them consistently? If not, I'd like to hear how other people use these ratings.

4) I use automatically assogned file names like:

20070505 Crew Sectionals X35217.CR2

I still use RSP to generate and assign these (based on the camera shooting information, because I haven't figured out how to do this yet in LR. Is there the equivalent naming option in LR after the import?

5) With a name like the above, I can't get Develop View Options, Show File name briefly when switching, to show the entire file name and extension. If I say file name in the Loupe Info, it only shows up until the X532 and then an ellipses, e.g., 20070505 Crew Sectionals X532... If I pick "File Base Name", it shows 20070505 Crew Sectionals X35217, but not the extension (and I want to see that). I could put it on the line below, but I also want to show "Exposure and ISO", and "Lens Setting". There's plenty of room so that it doesn't have to use the ellipses. And I'd be happy too to use a smaller font, but there doesn't seem to be that option either. Anyone know a workaround or solution? Something perhaps around toggling Loupe info 1 and 2 automatically or other trick?

6) The straighten rotate tool is buried in the crop mode, and while I would normally use the ruler tool for that, there doesn't seem to be any way to zoom in crop mode, so I can't accurately place the "straighten line". Anyone know how to zoom in that mode or other workaround?

I have more, but that's enough for now. Please share any answers to this question or general LR tips in this thread!

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

05/06/2007 12:09:17 PM · #2

Neil,

For other LR tips, check out this site (if you haven't already done so):

//www.lightroomkillertips.com/

I believe you can rename your files in LR and you can use the metatdata and/or custom text as part of the name. I haven't done this so don't know the exact steps.

Maybe there's something in the link to help you.

Message edited by author 2007-05-06 12:09:28.

05/06/2007 12:27:08 PM · #3

Well, I've got a kindergarden question about Lightroom that I'll bet you can help me with.

I didn't ask it to, but when I installed Lightroom it made itself the default for uploading images. I 'd rather it didn't load itself everytime I put a CF card in my PC.

Any ideas?

Alice

05/06/2007 12:34:02 PM · #4

Originally posted by sfalice:

Preferences ->File Management -> "When a memory card is detected:" "Do Nothing"

05/06/2007 12:47:09 PM · #5

By the way, thanks Colette for the link. Looks useful, though I've just gone back through a number of tips, and nothing answering any items below.

I did workaround #5 though!

#5 - Making Loupe info work without elipses

So far, no way to change the font. But two workarouds:

a) Change the order of the info lines. If file name is #2 rather than #1, it's a smaller font, so it fits without elipses. Put something that will be short/brief on line 1 instead

b) Set up two different sets of Loupe info, and then Press I to toggle between them on the display. So you do get the benefit of all 6 lines.

05/06/2007 12:57:22 PM · #6

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Originally posted by sfalice:
Well, I've got a kindergarden question about Lightroom that I'll bet you can help me with.

I didn't ask it to, but when I installed Lightroom it made itself the default for uploading images. I 'd rather it didn't load itself everytime I put a CF card in my PC.

Any ideas?

Alice

Preferences ->File Management -> "When a memory card is detected:" "Do Nothing"

I'd love to say that fixed the problem, but Lightroom still loads when I insert a CF card. I even restarted my computer for extra reinforcement of the Do Nothing command.

05/06/2007 01:04:51 PM · #7

Originally posted by sfalice:

I'd love to say that fixed the problem, but Lightroom still loads when I insert a CF card. I even restarted my computer for extra reinforcement of the Do Nothing command.

I have the same issue. It starts whenever a card is inserted, no matter the setting. Pretty aggravating, isn't it?

05/06/2007 01:12:43 PM · #8

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by sfalice:

I have the same issue. It starts whenever a card is inserted, no matter the setting. Pretty aggravating, isn't it?

Yes, tiresome. I'm glad I'm not alone in this, but I'm sorry it's you,

kirbic that's also stuck with the problem.

05/06/2007 01:16:33 PM · #9

Originally posted by sfalice:

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by sfalice:

I have the same issue. It starts whenever a card is inserted, no matter the setting. Pretty aggravating, isn't it?

Yes, tiresome. I'm glad I'm not alone in this, but I'm sorry it's you, kirbic that's also stuck with the problem.

Well, what did I expect for free?? ;-)
It does have its quirks, but I think it will be a part of my workflow eventually. I need to upgrade this old computer before it will perform like it's supposed to, though.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

05/06/2007 01:24:15 PM · #10

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by sfalice:

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by sfalice:

Well, what did I expect for free?? ;-)
It does have its quirks, but I think it will be a part of my workflow eventually. I need to upgrade this old computer before it will perform like it's supposed to, though.

For FREE! Where'd you get a Freebee,

kirbic? Dang, I paid and paid.

undieyatch

Olympus E-10

05/06/2007 02:18:24 PM · #11

Having difficulty also and have no answers at the moment. Lightroom startup is a real problem. Presets a bit of a distraction for the current conversation, but are the current topic at the moment, and well worth examination.

Here are some sites on my list for Lightroom:

//inside-lightroom.co.uk/

//www.oreillynet.com/digitalmedia/blog/2007/03/building_your_lightroom_preset_1.html

//www.ctribble.co.uk/_LR_develop_presets/M8_LR_presets.htm

//lightroompresets.com/#

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/06/2007 02:47:17 PM · #12

Originally posted by sfalice:

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by sfalice:

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by sfalice:

Well, what did I expect for free?? ;-)
It does have its quirks, but I think it will be a part of my workflow eventually. I need to upgrade this old computer before it will perform like it's supposed to, though.

For FREE! Where'd you get a Freebee, kirbic? Dang, I paid and paid.

I got it for free too. Adobe provided LR for free for RawShooter Premium users.

gloda

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/06/2007 03:19:26 PM · #13

On Windows, maybe you guys can use Microsoft's TweakUI to change autorun preferences for memory cards? The program lets you choose which programs to run or to choose from depending on the media; or you can pick a program, e.g. LR and specify which media it should run for.

05/06/2007 03:24:24 PM · #14

Originally posted by gloda:

That, I think, is a great suggestion. I haven't tried it yet, but if i get a chance I'll post back the results.
@

sfalice: Yep, like Colette I also was a Rawshooter Premium owner.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/06/2007 04:20:37 PM · #15

Update: The TweakUI settings don't seem to stop Lightroom... even disabling autostart on removable drives doesn't keep Lightroom form starting. It's probably not using the Windows Auto Start functionality, but doing it itself.

_eug

Nikon D50

05/06/2007 04:25:44 PM · #16

Is there a tray app that you can disable that is supposed to speed LR startup? This might be what's doing it. I hate those resource hogs and hunt them down and summarily kill them!

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/06/2007 04:39:56 PM · #17

Originally posted by _eug:

Is there a tray app that you can disable that is supposed to speed LR startup? This might be what's doing it. I hate those resource hogs and hunt them down and summarily kill them!

This is the answer. Since it was doing it without leveraging Auto Play, there had to be some sort of application monitoring things. Turns out it's called "Adobe Photo Downloader." It does show in the system tray, and can be disabled and exited, at least for the current session.

Message edited by author 2007-05-06 16:40:14.

_eug

Nikon D50

05/06/2007 04:48:42 PM · #18

Originally posted by kirbic:

It does show in the system tray, and can be disabled and exited, at least for the current session.

I believe disable is permanent and Exit is for the current Windows session.

05/06/2007 05:18:45 PM · #19

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by _eug:
Is there a tray app that you can disable that is supposed to speed LR startup? This might be what's doing it. I hate those resource hogs and hunt them down and summarily kill them!

This is the answer. Since it was doing it without leveraging Auto Play, there had to be some sort of application monitoring things. Turns out it's called "Adobe Photo Downloader." It does show in the system tray, and can be disabled and exited, at least for the current session.

I'm glad to know there's an answer, but it's an answer far beyond my feeble knowledge of PC innards to implement. I may just uninstall Lightroom for a while until I get my new computer (after Vista finishes its shakedown cruise).

05/06/2007 05:43:55 PM · #20

Oops--I guess I had already done that as part of my normal diligence in removing apps insisting on installing themselves as services or startups--and I didn't recall that that was what stopped lightroom from the popup behavior. I had that problem during the early part of the trial and it drove me crazy for a while.

I have also been going through the preferences more recently and noticed the setting. So that's just what I had remembered when I answered. Sorry for the bad tip!

05/06/2007 05:50:59 PM · #21

Originally posted by sfalice:

Here's a quick run-down of what you have to do...

- Put your cursor near the bottom right hand corner of the screen, where the clock and "System Tray" icons are in the Task Bar.
- Click on the "<<" to display all the ssytem tray icons.
Hover the mouse over each one until you find the one that says "Adobe Photo Downloader."
- Right-click it, and choose "disable."
- Right-click it again and choose "Exit."

That's all there is to it. You probably will have to do this again each time after logging out or restarting. Eliminating the little bugger altogether is beyond the scope of a forum post.

05/06/2007 05:56:37 PM · #22

For completeness, here's where I disabled mine, it's simple:

1) Start Menu -> Run -> and type "msconfig" no quotes. Press OK and it will run the "System Configuration Utility"
2) Click on the Startup tab
3) Find "apdproxy" in the "Startup Item" list. Uncheck it

When you reboot next time, "System Configuration Utility" will warn you that changes were made to the configuration. It gives you an option to disable that message, which I believe you need to do, or it will warn you every boot. But in any case, the lightroom proxy application will be disabled (and you can always reenable it by doing the above and in step three, checking it again.

Message edited by author 2007-05-06 17:59:14.

05/06/2007 06:23:44 PM · #23

Something weird happened to my lightroom interface earlier today:

I've been trying out various keyboard shortcuts, particularly those to hide panels. Oddly enough, I notice now that the Crop command no longer seems to produce an option panel with tools like the straighten tool or remove spots tools. When I enter crop mode by pressing "R", or using the menu, there's no panel at all showing specific to that tool.

Is there a switch I accidentally hit? I can't find it!

05/06/2007 06:33:38 PM · #24

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Worked like a charm

nshapiro. You and

kirbic have made my day. And it wasn't a "kindergarden" question after all.