Sessions are a convenient solution due to their flexible folder structure (consisting of Capture, Selects, Output, and Trash sub-folders, and a separate Session database file). This makes them particularly suitable when working with a tethered camera in a studio, but Sessions are also ideal for typical day-to-day projects, where importing images from a memory card is expected. However, if you don’t want to create a Session for each occasion and would prefer not to adopt a more managed Catalog-based workflow, you can use a single Session for a typical file system workflow instead.
Sessions work differently from Catalogs as they automatically generate and store image cache and settings locally. These files are stored in a sub-folder named CaptureOne within the source images' folder.
Above all, you don't even have to import images using a Session, you can continue to use your existing folder structure. Simply go to the folder or individual image using the Finder/Explorer (macOS/Windows), then drag and drop it (Mac only) into the Session window or navigate to your image folders using the Session Library instead. The images will be displayed just as they would when using a Catalog or a typical Session. Any adjustments made are written to the local settings files and are used the next time you visit the image folder.
When it is needed to move the image folders, the accompanying Session database file of a typical Session is not even necessary. Providing the CaptureOne sub-folder (containing the adjustment files) remains within the source images' folder, it can be moved to any location and viewed on any local computer running Capture One.
- Create a new single Session using a descriptive name (e.g., Image Library).
- Drag and drop a folder (or individual image from the folder) into the Session window. Images are displayed in the browser (see Step 5 and Step 6).
- Alternatively, go to the Sessions Folders collection in the Session's Library panel and navigate to your existing folders of images.
- Click on a folder of images to display them. Thumbnails will be shown in the browser.
- Click on an image in the browser to display the image in the viewer.
- Continue using Capture One to make adjustments.
Comments
5 comments
I'd love to see an article describing a workflow for a project that might span a number of months. Assume culling and development through to final selections would take place at different times. Would each capture be imported to a Single session? Can all necessary work selecting and processing files be done within the session? At what point and how would the finished project be added to the main catalog?
Hi Ken,
Thank you for the comment and the suggested idea for an article on managing long-term projects.
When shooting tethered, you may want to select the location for captured images with the Next Capture Location tool. Read more about that in this article - https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002554438-Changing-location-for-storing-captured-images
It is possible to work on your captures within one Session but you can also create other Sessions to separate your projects if needed.
Note that making adjustments and processing/exporting the variants/originals can be made within the Session workflow.
Once you have finished working on adjustments and want to save the images in a separate folder on your computer, you can simply export them by selecting in the main menu Image -> Export Images -> Originals/Variants. Read more about exporting images here - https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002639458-Overview-of-exporting-images
too bad this doesn't actually work. it results in all the original files then being duplicated on import. the devs really don't get simple bare bones no extra files, folders, leave things where they are don't mess with anything workflow. I don;t care about search, I have Neofinder for that. I don't use albums or favs. I'd be happy to see them _removed_ from my sight entirely as UI hubris.
Is there a way to use Capture One with my existing folders that are by date, i.e. 2018-05 Vietnam, 2017-01 Yellowstone, etc. ?
Or, do I have to create the 4 subfolders in each of these folders and then import the images into the Capture subfolder of each one so I end up with something like:
>2018-05 Vietnam > Capture folder with images
>2017-01 Yellowstone > Capture folder with images
I would much rather leave my existing file structure the way it is and just edit with Capture One there. How can I do that?
Hi Bill,
When working with Sessions in Capture One, you actually do not have to import images but you can simply navigate the folder you need in the Library tool. Under the Folders, you will see the actual folder structure as in the Finder/Explorer. The adjustments you make with the images will be saved in the Settings folder which will be located where your images are.
Please sign in to leave a comment.