LR4: Cataloguing & Duplicate Files

[walter.sk]

I last used Lightroom 2 several years ago, and have been using Bridge to keep track of my files.  I got into the habit of copying some files from one project folder to another.  While they are duplicate files, I found it useful to operate in this fashion.

I just installed LR4, and decided to make a brand new catalogue and import all of the picture files from 3 different HDD's on which I keep my photos.  However, LR4 did not import the duplicate files mentioned above, and I could not find anywhere to tell LR4 that I wanted the duplicates imported as well.

How can I go about importing the duplicate files?  There are too many for me to go looking for them individually, and I would like to somehow sync each of the HDD's and have the dupes imported.

[Richowens]

Walter,

 In the Import dialogue, the right side panel, under file handling....uncheck "Don't import suspected duplicates".

Rich

[walter.sk]

In the Import dialogue, the right side panel, under file handling....uncheck "Don't import suspected duplicates".
Rich

I'm aware of that checkbox, and it comes up when I import files from my CF card.  However, when making a catalogue and importing the files on a whole hard drive, that dialogue never comes up.

[Richowens]

Hi Walte,

  Me again. Mine is visible no matter what  am inporting from. Are you sure the pane is open with a hard drive, the one named "File Handling"?

Rich

[walter.sk]

  Me again. Mine is visible no matter what  am inporting from. Are you sure the pane is open with a hard drive, the one named "File Handling"?

You're right!  I tried making a new catalog as a test.  After hitting "Import" I looked at the right side panel and sure enough, the File Handling was there.  I had not expanded it when making my big catalog so I did not see the check box for duplicate files.

Now I have to figure out how best to go back over the catalog and import the duplicates, without having to redo the whole catalog.  Maybe "Sync" will let me do it.