How do I use my own folder structure with Shotwell?

Question

I want to organize my photos as follows:

• my own folder structure, not date-based
• not in ~/Pictures
• automatically detect new photos in my folder structure (including in subfolders)
• do not create copies of the photos (I need the harddrive space!)

Is this possible with Shotwell, and how do I do it? I really don't want Shotwell to move my files around.

Answer 1

You have to do two things to achieve your four goals.

First, don't use Shotwell to import new photos. Import them with Nautilus to wherever you want to keep the pictures.

Second, change a setting in Shotwell. Edit/Preferences/Library(tab)/Import photos to: and select 'Other', then navigate to where you store your photos. This should be a drive that mounts automatically whenever you login. Check the box 'Watch library directory for new files'. That will automatically detect changes as you add or subtract images using Nautilus. The 'Importing' settings are irrelevant. You will not be using Shotwell to import images, so no need to change them.