Importing photos from a device

The Import From dialog box gives you multiple options for importing your files from cameras, card readers, flash drives, and other mass storage devices. If you want to simply import files with a few clicks, you can. Or you can select from several options to streamline your workflow and perform multiple tasks with each import.

In the Import From dialog box, you can view the thumbnails of the files on the device by their date or file type. You can change the size of the thumbnails to make it easier to select those you want to import or leave on the device, and then view only those you have selected.

You can also choose the destination folder or subfolders for the files, create a backup set of files as you import, and rename the files during the import process, automatically rotating them if your camera has this option. Advanced settings give you options to change the date you want to use, and where to place RAW and JPEG files if your camera creates both file formats.

You can even organize your files as you import by adding categories, and database information like keywords, captions, author, and EXIF or IPTC data.

Then you can save all these settings as a preset to use or adapt later.

ACDSee Photo Manager Note Importing photos from a device

If your camera connects to the computer as a removable drive, you can also simply copy photos directly from the File List and Folders pane because ACDSee 12 detects and displays the removable device in the Folders pane. If you are not sure how your camera connects to your computer, please see About removable devices in Importing files with ACDSee 12.

ACDSee Photo Manager Note Importing photos from a device

Some cameras, for example, Canon, use Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) to communicate with a computer. Some scanners use TWAIN to connect to a computer. If your devices use these protocols, you can import by clicking From Device or From Scanner on the File | Import menu. ACDSee 12 automatically detects these protocols.

To download photos using the Import From dialog box:

  1. Connect your camera or device to the computer. Make sure your camera is turned on, and the cable is properly connected to your computer.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • If the Device Detector is on and detects the device, when the ACDSee Device Detector dialog box opens, select Import files and then OK.
    • If you have more than one device connected to your computer, select the device you want to use from the list, and then click OK.
    • In Manage mode, click File | Import | From Device.
    • Press ALT + G on the keyboard.
  3. In the Import From dialog box, select from the import options as described below.
  4. Click Import.
  5. To browse your imported photos, click Yes when the Import Complete dialog box displays.

ACDSee Photo Manager Note Importing photos from a device

You may require Direct X 9.0c and QuickTime to download audio and video files from your camera. For more information, please see System requirements.

Import From options

View files

View by Date

Displays all the files grouped by the dates they were created. To deselect a date, click the check box beside the date. To deselect all dates, click the All Dates check box.

View by File Type

Displays all the files grouped by their file type. To deselect a file type, click the check box beside the file type. To deselect all file types, click the All files types check box.

View all

Displays all the thumbnails of the files on the device.

View selected

Displays only the files selected for import.

<x> Files selected for import

Displays the number of files currently selected for import.

Zoom slider

ACDSee Photo Manager TB Import ZoomSlider Importing photos from a device

Adjusts the size of the thumbnails as you drag the slider left (enlarges) or right (shrinks).

Choose Import Settings

Import settings drop-down list

Displays the names of recently-used import settings to use again, or you can select one of the following:

  • Current: Uses the current settings to import.
  • Last used: Uses the import settings from the last import.
  • None: Clears all the current import settings.

Save import settings ACDSee Photo Manager BTN Save ImportSetting Importing photos from a device

Saves all the current import settings with a name so that you can use them again. To save (or edit) import settings, select the Save icon and type in new name (or re-save existing settings).

The new name for the import settings appears in the drop-down list.

Delete import settings ACDSee Photo Manager Importing photos from a device loads/sub/acdsee/en/source/Images/ImportToolbar/BTN_Delete_ImportSetting.png">

Deletes the saved import settings currently selected in the Import settings drop-down list.

Choose destination

Destination drop-down list

Displays the names of recently-used destinations to use again, or you can select one of the following:

  1. Last used: Uses the destination from the last import.
  2. None: Clears all the current destination settings.

Place in subfolders

Subfolders drop-down list

Displays the following pre-defined subfolder options to select:

  • Single folder by name: Creates a new subfolder with the name you type into the Name field, which activates when you select this option. All the files are placed into a folder with the new name.
  • Single folder today’s date: Creates one folder using today’s date as the name and places all the files into the folder.
  • Nested folder – today’s date: Creates a series of nested folders, one below the other, based on today’s date and on the format you select in the Format field, which activates when you select this option. The folders are created as the sample shows and all the files are placed in the lowest folder.
  • Nested folder – file’s date: Creates multiple sets of nested folders based on the files’ dates and on the format you select in the Format field, which activates when you select this option. The folders are created as the sample shows and the files are imported into the lowest folders on each date.
  • Preserve folder names: Preserves existing folder names when you use the From Disk option to import. For example, if you have a flash drive or CD containing images in a complex set of subfolders, the whole folder tree is imported intact.

Format

Displays date format options for the Nested folder options (see above).

Sample

Displays a sample of the nested folders that will be created using the current settings (see above).

Backup to

Backup destination drop-down list

Creates a backup set of files using an exact duplicate of the subfolders you have selected under Place in subfolders.

You can also do one of the following:

  • Click Browse and then navigate to an existing folder to use as a backup destination.
  • Click Browse and then Make New Folder to create a new folder as a backup destination.

ACDSee Photo Manager Note Importing photos from a device

Any Organize settings (ACD Database, EXIF, or IPTC data) will not be added to this backup copy when you import. Existing file metadata is included in the backup copy.

Rename files to

Rename template drop-down list

Renames each file as it imports according these predefined renaming templates:

  • Date/time – filename: Creates each filename using the file date and time the file was created plus the original filename.
  • Date/time: Creates each filename using the file date and the time it was created.
  • Camera – sequence number: Creates each filename using the camera name and a sequential number starting at one.
  • Date/time – sequence number: Creates each filename using the file date and the time it was created plus a sequential number starting at one.
  • Camera – filename: Creates each filename using the camera name and the original filename.

When you create and save your own renaming templates, they also appear in this list for you to select.

Edit

Opens the Rename Templates dialog box where you can create and save your own renaming templates.

Automatically rotate images

Rotates your images automatically if your camera creates the information needed for this option to work.

Delete items from the source after import

Deletes items from the device after they are imported.

Advanced

Opens the Advanced Import Options dialog box where you can change the date settings for files and specify where to place RAW and JPEG files.

To set the ACDSee 12 database, use one of the following as the file date:

  • Exif date: Uses the EXIF date embedded in the image by the camera.
  • File modified date: Uses the date the file was last modified.
  • Specific date: Uses the date you select by clicking the in the calendar drop-down arrow.

To specify where to place RAW+JPEG files select one of the following:

  • Place both in chosen destination folder: Places RAW and JPEG files in the folder you have selected under Choose destination on the Import From dialog box.
  • Place JPEG in subfolder: Places the RAW files in the folder you have selected under Choose destination on the Import From dialog box. Then creates a new subfolder with the name you type into the Subfolder name field, which activates when you select this option. All the JPEG files are placed into the new subfolder.
  • Place RAW in subfolder: Places the JPEG files in the folder you have selected under Choose destination on the Import From dialog box. Then creates a new subfolder with the name you type into the Subfolder name field, which activates when you select this option. All the RAW files are placed into the new subfolder.

Organize settings

Organize settings drop-down list

Displays the names of recently-used organize settings to use again.

You can also select one of the following:

  • Last used: Uses the organize settings from the last import.
  • None: Clears all the current organize settings.

Save organize settings ACDSee Photo Manager BTN Save ImportSetting Importing photos from a device

Saves all the current organize settings so that to re-use later.

To edit saved settings, select the Save icon, and then type in a new name for the organize settings, or save over existing organize settings.

The new name for the organize settings appears in the drop-down list.

Delete organize settings ACDSee Photo Manager BTN Delete ImportSetting Importing photos from a device

Deletes the saved import settings currently selected in the Import settings drop-down list.

Metadata tab

ACD Database

Adds any information you type into to the following fields to the ACDSee 12 database as each file is imported:

  • Author
  • Notes
  • Keywords

Opens the Keyword Picker dialog box where you can select existing keywords.

EXIF

Adds any information you type into ACDSee 12 to the EXIF information of each imported file.

IPTC

Adds any information you type into the following fields to the IPTC information of each imported file.

Categories tab

Assigns the imported files to any category you select on this tab. You can select multiple categories.

See also:

Importing photos from a device