When you ingest photos from a memory card, Narrative can copy them to your working folder and up to four backup folders at the same time. This gives you extra copies of your photos before you start culling. It works with Quick Ingest and when you create a project from a memory card.
Important: Backups only include photos. Videos and other files on your card aren't copied, so back those up separately before you erase your card.
How do I add backup folders?
To add backup folders, follow these steps.
Connect your memory card and open the ingest window.
Choose the photos you want to ingest.
Under Copy photos to..., choose your working folder (where your project's photos will live).
Click Add a backup folder and choose a folder. To add more, click Add another backup folder. You can add up to four.
Check each backup folder is on the drive you want.
To remove a backup folder before you start, click Remove backup folder next to it.
Note: Backup folders must be outside your working folder, and can't be inside one another. If they overlap, Narrative skips that backup and lets you know.
For the full ingest steps, see Import from a memory card.
What if there isn't enough space?
Before copying, Narrative checks that each drive has enough free space. If one doesn't, you'll see Not enough space on destination drives, with how much more space each drive needs. If a drive isn't connected, you'll be asked to reconnect it.
Free up space or choose a different folder, then try again.
How do I know my backups worked?
While your photos copy, keep your memory card and all your drives connected. When it's done, you'll see Backup complete.
If some files weren't copied, Narrative tells you how many and which folder they're missing from. If no files were copied to a folder, you'll see Backup failed with the folder name.
What should I do if a backup doesn't finish?
If a backup doesn't finish, don't erase your memory card. Check the message to see which folder is affected, then open that folder to see which photos are there.
If you're not sure how to finish the copy, contact us through the chat bubble or at [email protected].
What should I check before I erase my memory card?
Before you erase your memory card, check:
All your photos are in your working folder and every backup folder, along with their XMP files (small files that store your ratings and edits).
A few photos open properly from each folder.
Your videos and any other files are backed up separately.
Keep your card until you're sure everything is safe.
Do my backups update when I change my project?
Your backups don't update after ingest. They're a copy of your photos as they were on the card, so any ratings, edits, renames or deletions you make later aren't added to them. Use your usual backup system for your ongoing work.