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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, IPTC and ACDSee Metadata.

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

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 Ultimate 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.

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

To Download Photos Using the "Import From" Dialog Box:

Connect your camera or device to the computer. Make sure your camera is turned on, and the cable is properly connected to your computer.
Do one of the following:
- If the Windows AutoPlay dialog box opens, select Import pictures using ACDSee.
- 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.
In the Import From dialog box, select from the import options as described below.
Click Import.
To browse your imported photos, click Yes when the Import Complete dialog box displays. A new tab will open displaying your results. For more information, see Browsing with ACDSee Tabs.

You may require Direct X 9.0c and QuickTime to download audio and video files from your camera.

Import From Options

Select items to import
Select items to import	You can control which items are imported by choosing one of the following: New: only imports files that have not been imported in the past. All: imports all files. Custom: imports the selected files. You can control which files are imported by checking or unchecking their checkboxes.
View by
Date	Displays all the files grouped by the dates they were created. To deselect a date, check the checkbox beside the date. To deselect all dates, uncheck the All Dates checkbox.
File Type	Displays all the files grouped by their file type. To deselect a file type, check the checkbox beside the file type. To deselect all file types, uncheck the All File Types checkbox.
View all	Displays all the thumbnails of the files on the device.
View selected	Displays only the files selected for import.
Choose import preset
Import settings drop-down menu	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	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 menu.
Delete import settings	Deletes the saved import settings currently selected in the Import settings drop-down menu.
Location
Choose Destination drop-down menu	Displays the names of recently used destinations to use again, or you can select one of the following: Last used: Uses the destination from the last import. None: Clears all the current destination settings.
Place in Subfolders drop-down menu	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 by today's date: Creates one folder using today's date as the name and places all the files into the folder. Nested folder by today's date: Creates a series of nested folders, one below the other, based on today's date and the format you select in the Format field. The folders are created as the sample shows and all the files are placed in the lowest folder. Nested folders by 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. Separate folders by file's date: Creates separate folders based on the individual file dates in the format selected from the Format drop-down options. Preserve subfolder 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 drop-down menu	Creates a backup set of files using an exact duplicate of the subfolders you have selected under Place in. 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. While existing ACDSee Metadata is included in the backup copy, any Catalog settings (IPTC or ACDSee Metadata) added during import will not be included.
File
Rename files to drop-down menu	Renames each file as it imports according to 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.
Apply Metadata drop-down menu	Select the names of saved metadata presets or select Manage presets to open the Manage Metadata Presets dialog box of options.
Customize	Properties pane Metadata tab: enter ACDSee and IPTC Metadata into to the fields to add to the files you are importing. Properties pane Categories tab: assigns the imported files to any category selected in this tab. You can select multiple categories.
Automatically rotate images	Rotates your images automatically if your camera creates the information needed for this option to work.
Delete items from source after import	Deletes the imported items from their original location or locations after import.
Advanced
ACDSee database date	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 Ultimate 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.
RAW+JPEG	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 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 JPEG files are placed into the new subfolder. Place RAW 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 RAW files are placed into the new subfolder.

The values set in the IPTC fields are reflected in their corresponding EXIF field.