Lost all image links in V4

IainArcher · Post by **IainArcher** » 25 Jul 2009 06:22

All my image links have gone; presumably it can't find the source image even though it thinks they are there. They are all listed in the media window but won't open. I have not moved them and if I use my laptop (which still has version 3) to pick up the folder over the network it still sees the links correctly. Nothing has been moved or changed; just version 4 installed.

This is using a fresh install of version 4 (not upgrade) and to try and find the images I've opened my normal file that I used with version 3, rather than the strange project file that was created in My Documents but still no links found. I never use My Documents for anything, as I have a multiple partitioned hard disk, one partition is for family history. I am also using Vista if that helps with the problem.

This is extremely annoying as my family file has just short of a thousand images linked to it!!

Does anyone know if there is an easy way to relink the images en masse. I'm definitely not doing it individually; I'd rather go back to version 3 than do that.

Thanks very much for any help.

ID:3890

YouTube · Post by **Jane** » 25 Jul 2009 07:47

If you have not done work on your V4 then I would

1. In the project window, select more tasks and use the move project folder to move the project folder to your Family History Disk.

2. Take the option to create a new project.

3. Select your V3 Gedcom file, if you don't want to copy your media to the folder simply say no.

There are more tips and hints available by clicking the 'tips and hints' link at the bottom of the project window. Once you get there scroll to the bottom and follow the upgrading users option.

The Work with External File links option is still available.

Are you using a network drive for all your image storage or are they on a disk with in your main system?

If V4 is having to build thumbnails over a network, you may find they will take a good while to display.

jeemo · Post by **jeemo** » 25 Jul 2009 12:55

In the project window

Jane

I've seen you mention this before but I have never been able to find a project window. Where is it?

Post by **hsw** » 25 Jul 2009 14:36

On the menu bar, select File and then Project Window (first item on the list).

IainArcher · Post by **IainArcher** » 25 Jul 2009 15:41

Many thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I'm having no luck at all with it.
I've not added anything since buying version 4.

I created a new project, ticked the box asking it to link my existing images but still no images being linked.

My images are in a sub folder of the same location on the hard disk where my GEDCOM file is. They are not on a network storage disk and I have not moved anything.

It is all extremely complicated and confusing. It should really just work without having to fiddle about with everything so much. Family Historian may be powerful but it is becoming overly complex to do simple tasks. I don't want to spend all my time trying to make software work and would rather spend the limited time I have inputting my data.

After inspecting the images that won't link, I suspect I am going to have to remap them all which is a job I'm not going to do as I haven't the time. Then when version 5 comes out I'll probably have to do it all again. Version 4 is all a bit of a disappointment so far.

YouTube · Post by **Jane** » 25 Jul 2009 16:24

Iain, when I moved to V4 I copied the images over to the media folder did you do this or did you link them to the original files?

Have you checked the Work With External File Links? what is that showing or tried the items I suggested earlier?

IainArcher · Post by **IainArcher** » 25 Jul 2009 18:13

Jane

When I created the new project I ticked the box to copy all the files but without success and I also tried creating a new project without moving the files - neither worked.

I think this is what you had suggested.

I also looked at work with external files which shows all the image files at the new location (project folder) and lots of Xs against all the images. I didn't fully understand this screen other than it seemed to imply that I need to individualy map each image to the new location.

To summarise therefore: the image files have been moved but still don't link. When creating a project without moving the files the images also didn't link.
I don't know where to go from here other than to recreate all the files from scratch.

I would have thought that when creating a new version of existing software, given that this is such an important integral part of FH, that image links would have been fully tested; not just for working properly, but for ease of use too.

YouTube · Post by **Jane** » 25 Jul 2009 18:19

They were extensively tested during the Beta, I can only assume there is something slightly different in your original file that did not occur in the Beta process.

Perhaps it might be worth contacting Calico Pie to see if they can shed any light on your problem.

jeemo · Post by **jeemo** » 26 Jul 2009 23:24

Thanks CVG

barbarahead · Post by **barbarahead** » 11 Sep 2009 13:49

Iain, I was wondering if you had had any success in this task?

Johnyeates · Post by **Johnyeates** » 19 Sep 2009 19:24

I have just post an answer to the previous query so I am copying it here.

I moved all of my Images (scans, photos etc) to the 'Media' folder within the project folder so it is very easy to link.
When I copy the project folder to my laptop the path is obviously different so I just re-link to within the project folder.
John

Family Historian User Group