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In last week’s article I showed you some useful ideas for Filter Bar searches in Lightroom Classic (click the link to catch up if you missed it). Today we’re going to look at some of the more advanced ways you can use Library filters and the Filter bar. Let’s start with learning more about how Library filters behave, starting with stickyness.
Advanced Library Filters function #1: How to make Library filter searches sticky
On the right side of the Filter bar is a padlock icon. It has two settings – locked and unlocked. Click the icon to change it from one position to the other. The status of the padlock is hard to see, especially on a high resolution monitor. It’s even hard to see in the enlarged screenshots below. But its position is important because it affects the way Library Filter searches work.
If the padlock is in the unlocked position and you change the source of the search (in other words, you pick another Folder, Collection, Smart Collection or Collection Set to search) Lightroom resets all the search rules you’ve just created. This is frustrating if you want to apply the same search rules to the new source, as it means you need to set them again.
The solution is to set the padlock to the locked position by clicking on it (or going to File > Library Filters > Lock Filters). You also have to go to File > Library Filters and make sure the Remember Each Source’s Filters Separately is disabled (a checkmark shows it’s enabled, no checkmark means it’s disabled). This locks the search rules in place so they don’t reset when you change the source. Your search is now sticky.
Advanced Library Filters function #2: How to save Library filter searches as presets
Library filter searches are temporary. They are gone as soon as you change the search terms or click None in the Filter bar. But what if you use the same search over and over? Or simply want to save the search rules in case you want to use them again?
The solution is to save the search as a preset. Go to the Preset menu on the right of the Filter bar (it’s next to the padlock icon and says “No Filter” if you haven’t selected a preset) and select Save Current Settings as New Preset.
You’ll find at least a few options already in the Preset menu as they’re built into Lightroom Classic. You may also have added some at some point.
You can delete any presets you don’t use so they don’t clutter the menu. It’s a two step process. Start by selecting the preset you want to delete. Then go back to the menu and select Delete preset “preset name”. It’s a minor thing but it’s another bit of spring cleaning you can do in Lightroom Classic.
Advanced Library Filters function #3: Library filters in the Filmstrip
You can also apply Library Filters in the Filmstrip. You can click on one of the icons marked below, or select a Preset from the menu.
Advanced Library Filters function #4: Apply Presets from the menu
There’s another place you can apply Presets. Go to Library > Filter by Preset and select a Preset.
In the same menu you also get options to Filter by Flag, Filter by Rating etc. You can select an option from one of these menus as long as Attribute is selected in the Filter Bar. These menus are grayed out if Attribute isn’t selected.
Mastering Lightroom Classic: Book One – The Library Module
You can learn more about these ideas in my best-selling ebook Mastering Lightroom Classic: Book One – The Library Module.
