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Request a new feature, or support for a camera/lens that you would like to use in Capture One.

Status Future consideration
Workspace Feature requests
Categories Capture One Pro
Created by Thomas Kyhn
Created on Mar 21, 2023

Relocate multiple images + show file paths for missing images

What problem do you see this solving?

As it is, there's no way of relocating multiple missing image files unless they're contained in a specific folder or on a hard drive that can be relocated; if they aren't, the only way is to relocate them one at a time, which would be very time consuming if you have hundreds or thousands of missing images you need to relocate.

If Capture One would automatically look for images files missing from the same folder once you've relocated the first file, this would save a lot of time. And if Capture One would show file paths for missing images too, this would make relocation easier.

This is issue is further compounded by two things:

1) There's no way of seeing the file paths for missing images in Capture One, i.e. where Capture One expects these image files to be; currently the only way to see these file paths is to open the catalogue database in a third-party SQLite editor (if you know where to look, that is).

2) There's no way of seeing what files are missing/offline. That is, you can see if a specific file is missing, or if a specific folder or hard drive is missing, but there's no way to get an overview, e.g. a list, of missing image files (see this request).

(See also support request #181116 about Capture One crashing when relocating image files.)

When was the last time you were affected by this lack of functionality, or specific tool?

Today.

Current workaround

Are you using any workarounds or other solutions to achieve your goals in Capture One?

Last time I had this issue, I ended up editing my Capture One catalogue in an SQLite editor in order to save time, but it took a long time to figure out how to do so.

  • Carsten Skodell
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    Jan 19, 2024

    Very good discovery. Isn't that something to collect in a new subforum tips & tricks?

  • Guest
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    Jan 19, 2024

    16150889432093 Legend!

  • Walter Rowe
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    Jan 18, 2024

    16150889432093 you are a genius!

  • Guest
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    Jan 17, 2024

    Yes! Worked like a charm (except for the fact that a number of the images in Capture that are missing have the filename followed by a (1), meaning they're copies. And the files I'm dragging in don't have that (1).)

    But that's a terrific find, Stefan!

  • Guest
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    Jan 17, 2024

    That's brilliant! I now know where to move the files that I've managed to locate on an external drive.

    I'll now try copying the missing files into the path you showed us how to find.

  • Guest
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    Jan 17, 2024

    I may have found a way to display the file path easily;

    Right-click on a (or all) missing thumbnail, and select "Regenerate Previews". An events window pops up with the resulting error message, select that message and it reveals the path!!

    In osx finder, I then copy all those images to that newly found path destination, Capture One then immediately automatically relinks all of them. Within Capture One, I then finally drag&drop all those newly relinked images into the desired folder via the Library Tab (Folders)

  • Thomas Kyhn
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    Dec 6, 2023

    368108974477 – Indeed, the file paths stored in the catalogue should be displayed somewhere in Capture One. As it is, the only way to see a file path – that I'm aware of – is to open the database in an SQLite editor, provided that you know what to look for.

  • Walter Rowe
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    Dec 5, 2023

    369023522178 – Capture One needs to add a column to their list view that shows the volume/driver letter and path including for stored images. We need to see where Capture One thinks a missing file is located and what it thinks is the file name on disk.

  • Guest
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    Dec 5, 2023

    Thanks - that might be beyond my capabilities.

  • Thomas Kyhn
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    Dec 5, 2023

    If you want to have a go at editing the database, you can use the free DB Browser for SQLite. If you keep a copy of the database file ([name].cocatalogdb inside the catalogue package), you can always put the unedited file back if it doesn't work. I'm sure there are other users here with more experience with SQLite who'll be able to help.

  • Guest
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    Dec 5, 2023

    Thank you for the suggestions. Unfortunately, the missing images seem to be rather random. No idea why...

  • Thomas Kyhn
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    Dec 5, 2023

    368866535958

    You probably know this already, but just in case: if all images in a folder are missing from a catalogue, it's quicker to relocate the folder.

    Another solution is to edit the catalogue in an SQLite editor. It took me a while to figure out how to do this, but it's possible and can save time if it isn't just a question of relocating a few folders. Unfortunately the topic that contains a description of how to do this isn't accessible anymore – perhaps someone from Capture One could make it accessible again?

     

  • Guest
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    Dec 4, 2023

    I'm having a similar frustration with C1 -- I just ran across about 300 images in the C1 catalog that show up with a question mark icon -- missing files.

    So I mounted an old Aperture backup hard drive that has those missing files and dragged them into the C1 folder they're missing from.

    But now apparently I have to Locate each file, one at a time, to have C1 recognize them. That's 300 repetitions of clicking and dialogs boxes and scrolling, over and over and over.

    And I know that there are other holes in my C1 that I occasionally come across.

    Surely there's a better way. Surely C1 will make a better way.

  • Guest
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    Nov 22, 2023

    I've 'located' all the folders now. Photos are correctly connected to the original raw files.
    But to my huge surprise it seems the ratings and edits I've done are gone as well!! 

    I'm speechless!

  • Guest
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    Nov 22, 2023

    No the problem is, when the loading bar disappears after 15-20 minutes. No images are found, all is still offline.
    The only way I've been able to "locate" them properly is going one folder at a time.

    My NAS is internal SSD speed (not M2 speedy, but fast enough), so the speed is not anything I'm worried about in this case.

     

    There are about 20K photos from 2016 and up to today.

  • Walter Rowe
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    Nov 22, 2023

    It can take quite some time if there are LOTS of photos. NAS access typically isn't that speedy - especially compared to internal SSD storage. Let it go.

  • Guest
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    Nov 22, 2023

    That's what I thought too. Still after a good 15-20 minutes of C1 thinking about it, all photos are offline.

  • Walter Rowe
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    Nov 22, 2023

    If you select each top level folder and "locate" it on the NAS that may be more effective and efficient. It will "locate" everything under each top level folder. I agree. Apple does it WAY better.

  • Guest
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    Nov 22, 2023

    I have been using the trial for a few weeks and how now finally bought a license. Loving the software, but I'm shocked to see how terrible the "locate" function is.

    Tonight my wife wanted access to the catalog on her machine, so she could start sorting photos for christmas gifts among other things. I thought it would be a good opportunity to try moving the catalog to our NAS. The photos have originally been placed locally on my PC but I figured "why not, I got more space on the NAS anyway". 

    It's been an absolute NIGHTMARE and I'm still not done 'locating' folders and files.. 

    I can't simply say "Hey, everything that previously have been on I:\ should now be located at B:\".

    Both drives have the same folder structure. Everything is identical except for the drive letter.
    Something so easy should be childs play for an advanced photo management/editor in my opinion.

    Like someone else mentioned, Davinci, Final Cut etc all do these things with ease, and that's something I'd expect from Capture One as well.

    While it might not be worked on right now, I'm very frustrated this is not even planned!

    Please, please reconsider this.. 

  • Guest
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    Nov 16, 2023

    Hi everyone!

    I would be very happy if offline file management and reconnection could be improved. Good examples for this could be Apple Aperture, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro 7, InDesign, LrC, AVID just to name a few. For me, only two features are missing:

    • The ability to search for additional offline files in the same directory, including subfolders. (Dialogue Box: Would you like to search for additional offline files in the same path?)
    • Listing offline files in combination with searching for a specific file.

    I hope that these features will be available one day. :-)

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1 MERGED

Reconnecting lost images in a batch

Merged
I would like a feature of C1 as Adobe InDesign has when linked files or connections to imported images got lost (eg. by changing the path etc.): InDesign has the option to scan or look for lost connections when only one (!) file is relinked. A lit...
FirstName LastName 4 months ago in Feature requests / Capture One Pro 1 Future consideration