Importing into darktable 3.8.1

I am trying to import my images for the first time. Finding it difficult. I am using the Copy & Import module as instructed. I am importing from an external hard drive from a folder called Photo Library (on a new mac mini, M1 chip). Since it has 60K+ images and the instructions cautioned against importing that many at one time, I did a test of one folder containing both (Canon) raw and (Lightroom) xmp files. I chose the test folder I wanted (26 images) and clicked copy & import. It came back with an error message that closed so fast all I got was “requested session” and something about “path not available.” So, I’m stuck. How do I import my images? I just want to get started using darktable. Thanks.

terry1121

Hi & welcome!

Have you given darktable disk access in the gatekeeper preference?

Do you want to copy images into a new library, or just add them from the existing disk location?

In preferences, Base Directory is /EXT SSD Samsung > Photo Library (it’s a single folder on my external hard drive where all my images live). I’m not sure the naming convention is accurate, though. Also, I’m starting fresh. No existing images in darktable. Above is where all my images are stored so to answer your question, I want to create a new library of all my images from an existing external disk location. Thanks for helping.

Based on what you’ve said, you don’t want “copy and import” but rather “add to library.”

The user manual has all this documented! darktable 3.8 user manual - darktable

OK. But the last time I tried, I chose the main folder and the Add to Library was greyed out. Maybe I didn’t have “recursive” clicked on when I tried it. I’m out at the moment. I’ll try when I get back home. Thanks.

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