Re-think Luminar 3 image delete design
Answered
I find the image delete design to be somewhat confusing/convoluted. I get the '3-step' approach, but it feels 'heavy-handed' and potentially leading to user confusion/bad UX.
There are several places an image can be 'deleted' - e.g. app menu, right-click context-menu, current action photo bar. The term 'trash', 'empty trash' is an overloaded term - is it the 'Luminar Trash'? underlying 'OS trash'? etc...
Having to 'move' rejected images to a 'master' folder before I can remove them from the LR3 'catalog' is an unnecessary workflow step. I shouldn't have to (physically) move files around to have them excluded from just the LR3 catalog.
I hate to say this but I think Lightroom has the better design. It is simple and straight-forward. Images don't have to be moved first before being 'removed' from the catalog. There is no 'Lightroom trash' -or- 'System trash' concept.
I'd really like if LR3 would reconsider this design aspect and make it as simple as:
1) Select images (from any view/folder/sub-folder), single or multiple, etc...
2) Select to...
- Remove from Catalog Only - were file/folders are not moved/deleted from HD, simply removed from being part of the LR3 ecosphere - i.e. editing workflow/LR3 catalog. I should be able to add them back (re-import) at a later date if I so chose.
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Delete from System (akin to current Delete Forever behavior), possibly a configurable option to:
- Move to Trash - moves file/folder to underlying OS Trash
- Delete Permanently - files are physically deleted from HD
Based on above selected config option, have all appropriate menu items/confirmation dialogs tell the user exactly what will happen - files will be Moved to Trash or Delete Permanently
Thanks for taking this under consideration.
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Official comment
Hi Everyone,
Thank you for your feedback.
It has been already forwarded to the person in charge for further consideration.
Hope for your patience and understanding.
Comment actions -
@Anastasia,
As I stated, I understand the 3-step process, but I find it unnecessary for it to be 3-steps. Also, there are several places/ways one can delete images and it isn't always very clear to which "trash" your images will go. It should be made unquestionably clear as to which "trash" your images will go into - e.g. 'Luminar Trash" or "System Trash" -or- permanently deleted.
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I just installed Luminar 3 and took my first steps and I completely agree that while the delete process seems to be innovative it is counter-intuitive. Especially because you can not add "deleted" (-> pictures sent to Luminar's Trash) pictures to your library again. In the head of users in most cases is a two level structure: OS file system and catalogue.
You can not sync a folder and get the picture back, even if it is still in the selected directory. There seems to be no way to add the picture back to the catalogue if it sits in the trash.
I would prefer a distinction between OS-Level (what is in the file system) and Catalogue-Level (what is visible to Luminar) and have dedicated controls to delete files from the file system or Add/Remove to/from the catalogue.
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I agree with @Andreas Spiller! Please just make it explicit what is happening rather than covering it over with simplified language.
Most people I know who are into photo editing via Luminar are capable of understanding the difference between the Luminar catalog and the OS file system. Respect your users! They can handle it!
Good UX design dictates that the user should NOT have to research exactly what will happen when they pick a program function. It should be obvious at the moment. I may research it to understand it thoroughly one day but forget the next day so I need it always obvious even if I'm used to the program.
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@A. Spiller,
If the picture is in Luminar Trash and you'd like to bring it back to your Library, you can navigate to Trash, right-click on the photo > Put Back.
Your and @Doug 's comments were forwarded with our team for further discussion. Thank you for taking the time to share your ideas!
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OK - Just installed v4 & this has STILL not been addressed. It is a real productivity blocker for me & a few others I have spoken to.
@A. Spiller - Any update on when we can expect to see this improved??
Also - "...when you empty your trash in Luminar, the files are deleted from your system as well..." NO NO NO NO!! Please fix this, it should not be the default behavior. The basic premis of Luminar is NON DESTRUCTIVE editing. Deleting a file is VERY destructive. As others have mentioned, there needs to be very clear distinction and wording between OS actions and Luminar specific actions. Please use terms like "remove from catalog" or "delete from disk" to make the outcome explicitly obvious.
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